Whether you’re driving to visit your in-laws, going to work, or heading out for a fun night out, a flat tire can happen at any time. It can feel stressful, especially if you’re pressed for time. When driving in Frederick, MD we’d like to advise you on the quickest, easiest, and safest way to change your tire and be on the road again ASAP.
Driving in Fredrick, MD: How to Change a Flat Tire
Find a Safe Place
You’ll always get a warning your tire is flat, as your steering and car’s balance will change. If this happens, immediately look for a safe place to pull over to check your tires. You’ll need a relatively flat area to park on, as this makes changing a tire easier. It’s always better to be out of the way of traffic, if possible, as this helps remove the chance of an accident.
Preparation
If you’ve pulled out of the way of any traffic, the next step is to get your tire iron, spare wheel, and jack from the trunk. If you have to pull over close to the traffic flow, you can deploy road flares or warning triangles. These warnings should be placed 10 feet, 30 feet, and 120 feet behind your Toyota to ensure other drivers have plenty of warning you’re stationary.
Loosen Lug Nuts
Before you remove the flat, you need to loosen it but not remove its lug nuts. Use the tire iron on each nut in turn. They are very tight, so you may have to attach the tire iron to each nut and force it loose by pushing down on the tire iron with your foot.
Place the Jack
Once the nuts are loose, place the jack underneath a flat section on the underside of your car. There are special reinforced sections under your car that you can use for lifting it. These sections are clearly illustrated in your car manual. When the jack is secure, lift your car until the flat is just off the ground.
Remove the Flat
Brace your foot underneath the flat and remove each lug nut. Once they’re all removed, take the flat off your car and install the spare. When you fit the spare, check that the holes line up. Insert the lug nuts into the holes one at a time and tighten them by hand. When all the lug nuts are in place, use the jack to lower your car.
Tighten the Lug Nuts
Use your tire iron to tighten each nut as tightly as possible. Place your tire iron, jack, and flat in your trunk, and you’re ready to drive away.
Need New Tires for Your Toyota in Frederick, MD?
Now that you’ve changed a flat, we advise replacing the spare tire with a regular tire ASAP. Call our service department at DARCARS Toyota of Frederick, and we can help you get the right tires for your Toyota today.
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