How to Change a Flat TYre

A list of essential items you'll need to change a tire:

1. Spare Tire: Make sure it's fully inflated and in good condition.
2. Car Jack: Used to lift your car. Check your owner's manual for the car's designated jacking points.
3. Wheel Wrench (Lug Wrench): For loosening and tightening the lug nuts.
4. Wheel Chocks: Small blocks to prevent the car from rolling.
5. Owner's Manual: Refer to this for locating jack points and other specific instructions for your car

Optional (But Helpful) Items:

• Gloves: Keep your hands clean.
• Flashlight: If changing a tire at night.
• Wheel nut key: Needed if you have locking lug nuts.
• Small piece of wood: Provides additional support for the jack if you're on soft ground.
• Torque wrench: To ensure you tighten the lug nuts to the correct specifications.

If you are missing any of these items, or if your car did not originally come with them, you should buy new ones immediately. Make sure you keep the spare tire inflated to the proper air pressure recommended by the car manufacturer. You should check the spare tire's air pressure every time you check the air in your other tires. Remember to check the tire pressure every month and before taking any long trips or carrying heavy loads in your car.

Step 1: Find a safe place to stop.

• The flashing hazard lights will help other drivers see that your car is stopped on the side of the road. Turn these lights on as soon as you realize you need to pull over, so other cars do not crash into you.

Step 2: Turn on your flashing lights.

• The flashing hazard lights will help other drivers see that your car is stopped on the side of the road. Turn these lights on as soon as you realize you need to pull over, so other cars do not crash into you.

Step 3: Use the parking brake.

• After stopping, always use the parking brake when changing a flat tire. This prevents the car from rolling and helps keep you safe.
• Put wheel blocks and remove the hub cap.

Step 4: Put wheel blocks and remove the hub cap.

• Wheel blocks go in front of or behind the tires to stop the car from rolling while you fix the flat. If changing a back tire, put the blocks in front of the front tires. If the front tire is flat, put the blocks behind the back tires. 
• If your car has a hub cap covering the lug nuts, take the hub cap off before using the jack to lift the car.

Step 5: Put the jack in the right spot and loosen the lug nuts.

• The right place for the jack is usually under the car frame next to the flat tire. 
• Check your owner's manual for the exact jack placement to lift safely without damaging the car.
• Use the lug wrench to turn the lug nuts counter clockwise a little bit, but don't remove them yet. Just loosen them 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 turn.

Step 6: Raise the car with the jack and remove the lug nuts fully.

• To prevent the jack from slipping, place a small wood piece under it before raising the car, especially on asphalt.
• With the jack positioned right, raise the car until the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground. 
• Never put any part of your body under the car when it's raised on the jack.
• Now you can unscrew and fully remove the loosened lug nuts, mostly by hand since they're already loose.

Step 7: Take off the flat tire and put on the spare tire.

• Pull the flat tire towards you until it comes all the way off. Set it on its side so it doesn't roll away.
• Now put the spare tire on by lining up the holes in the rim with the lug bolts. 
• Gently push until the lug bolts show through the holes.

Step 8: Tighten the lug nuts by hand. 

• Put the lug nuts back on the lug bolts and tighten them all the way with your hands.
• You will use the wrench to tighten them more after lowering the car.

Step 9: Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts again.

• Use the jack to lower the car so the spare tire is touching the ground, but not holding the full weight yet. 
• Tighten the lug nuts with the wrench by turning clockwise. 
• Push down firmly on the wrench.

Step 10: Lower the car completely and put the hub cap back on.

• Bring the car all the way down to the ground and remove the jack. Use the wrench to tighten the lug nuts one more time as much as possible.
• If the hub cap from the flat tire fits the spare, put it back on the same way you took it off. If it doesn't fit, keep it with the flat tire.

Step 11: Gather all your equipment and put it away safely. 

• Don't forget to pick up the jack, lug wrench, wheel blocks, flat tire, and hub cap if you removed it. 
• Put all of these items back in your vehicle before driving away.

Step 12: Check the air in the spare tire.

• Check the tire pressure in the spare tire to make sure it is inflated enough to drive on safely. Temporary "donut" spares usually need 60 psi. If it needs air, drive slowly to a gas station right away.

Final Step: Take the flat tire to be repaired or replaced.

• Temporary spares shouldn't be driven long distances or at high speeds, so drive carefully until you can get to a tire repair shop. A mechanic can check if your flat tire can be fixed or if you need to replace it.

Disclaimer: The simplified instructions provided above for changing a flat tire are intended as a general guide only. Procedures may vary for different vehicle makes and models. Always refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for the specific jack placement, tire changing procedure, and any other manufacturer recommendations and warnings. The owner's manual supersedes any general guidelines and should be followed for safe and proper operation specific to your vehicle.

What to do:

1. Put it out there: Don't be passive! Actively tell your mates you're there, not just when they're down, but always. It sends the message: "You matter, I've got your back, no matter what."
2. Listen, don't fix: When someone confides, put away those problem-solving skills. Presence and empathy are crucial. It shows: "I hear you, I feel your pain, I'm not judging."
3. Respect their pace: Pushing is counterproductive. Make the offer for support ongoing, so they know it's there when they're ready. This says: " I get it, you need space, but I'm right here when you need me."
4. Reliability is king: Being there consistently creates the unshakeable trust mates rely on. Keeping your word, even on small things, means the world. Message: "I mean what I say, you can count on me."
5. Walk the talk: Share your own bits of vulnerability. It makes asking for help less daunting and fosters deeper connection. This communicates: "I'm human, you're human, we can support each other."

Why This Matters:

• Life Stress: Guys often bottle things up. Being this kind of mate helps break the stigma of reaching out.
• Strength in a Different Way: This isn't about being "tough", it's about emotional strength, which is a superpower itself.
• Paying it forward: You inspire your mates to do the same. Being a safe space for others creates a ripple effect of support in your whole crew.

How to Make it Real:

• Check-in texts: "Just thinking of you, how's it going?" goes a long way.
• Small favours matter: Offering to grab them a coffee, walk their dog, etc., shows you care about their day-to-day.
• Own your mistakes: If you flake, sincerely apologise. It reinforces that you value the friendship.

Check out our M2M8 section for more information.