Changing Your Tyre on the Side of the Road

Ever since the first cars were built, a regular problem for owners is the fact that one (or more) of their tyres may fail when they are driving. So common is the problem, a whole service industry has been created to help the stranded drivers.

Sometimes though it can take a while for the recovery vehicle to get to you -so, you might consider replacing the car tyre yourself. That could sound quite daunting; in fact, it is easier than most people might imagine.

So, here is a guide on how to change your tyre:

1.First, pull over onto the side of the road or motorway and try to make sure that you are on a flat, even section of the ground. Then engage the handbrake and switch the engine off.

2.Set up your warning triangle, so that any oncoming traffic can see it before they reach you and your car. Put on a bright jacket to stand out - particularly if it is dark.

3.Remove the spare wheel from your boot (if you cannot find it, it is often located under a removable piece of flooring) along with a jack and wheel wrench.

4.Before you jack the car up, loosen the wheel nuts using the wheel wrench (these are in the centre of the wheel - occasionally they are located underneath the hubcap).

5.Raise the car slowly using the jack. Once the tyre is completely above the ground, finish loosening and removing the wheel nuts.

6.Remove with the wheel with the damaged tyre and place it carefully to one side. The wheel can be deceivingly weighty, so be careful.

7.Lift up and put the nee wheel and tyre into the place of the one you have just removed. Then tighten the wheel nuts - like you did previously, when undoing the wheel nuts, do not tighten them entirely.

8.Lower the car and then put the jack to one side. Tighten the wheel nuts fully.

9.Put the old wheel and tyre in the boot. Tidy away your tools.

10.Make one last safety check, making sure that the wheel and tyre is on correctly.

Replacement tyres are not meant to be driven on over a long distance. Drive to the closest garage as soon as possible and get a new car tyre replace the spare.

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