For most American families, summer is quickly coming to a close. The kids are heading back to school, the weekend getaways are fewer and fewer, and the temperatures—well, it’s still hot. With that being said, the last thing you want to do is find yourself stranded on the side of the road due to a flat tire or, worse yet, overheating.

At a bare minimum, always have a charged cell phone. Let’s pretend you have a base model vehicle or didn’t pay for the upgrade on the rental. The only way you are going to get ahold of AAA or roadside assistance is with your smartphone. Having a cell phone is no excuse not to have gear or skills to get you out of a jam. You could experience no cell service, a long wait, or extreme temperatures in a remote area with cranky backseat drivers.

Carrying the Correct Tools

No, we aren’t talking about that last-ditch effort of spraying a bunch of overpriced convenience store goop into your tire and praying it seals the puncture. We are referencing what you should have learned growing up as a youth from an older parent or relative, maybe even an older mentor in the community. Here’s a list of things you’ll need to change a flat tire:

1. Spare Tire: Ensure it is properly inflated and in good condition.
2. Jack: To lift the vehicle off the ground.
3. Lug Wrench: Remove the lug nuts that secure the tire.
4. Wheel Wedges: To prevent the car from rolling.
5. Vehicle Owner’s Manual: For specific instructions related to your vehicle.
6. Gloves: To protect your hands.
7. Flashlight: Useful if you’re changing the tire in the dark.
8. Tire Pressure Gauge: To check the pressure of the spare tire.
9. Reflective Triangle or Flares: To alert other drivers of your presence.
10. Tire Repair Kit: This is optional but can be handy for temporary fixes if the spare tire is unavailable. Consider this option more for the “well-traveled wrench” in your life.

Keeping these items in your vehicle can help ensure you are prepared to safely and efficiently change a flat tire.

Even if you aren’t the one experiencing the flat or the unfortunate roadside breakdown, keeping these items in your vehicle can be a game-changer, which is why we are sharing this information with you.

How To Change A Flat Tire

Find a Safe Spot

First, you must pull over to a safe location, preferably on flat ground, as far away from traffic as possible.

Next up, apply the parking brake and turn on your hazard lights.

Increase your visibility

Before any work begins, this is the time to set up your safety triangles or light up a few road flares.

Chem lights or even a cell phone can make you more visible at night. You’ll get bonus points if you packed a reflective vest.

Prep the Vehicle

This would be a good time to place wheel chocks or something similar behind another still-inflated tire on the car.

Now, it is time to remove the spare tire and jack from the car. You checked to ensure it was fully inflated before leaving home, right?

Loosen the Lug Nuts

Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts, but don’t entirely remove them. 

You may need to use your bodyweight to break them free if necessary.

Remember, righty tighty, lefty loosey.

Place the Jack

Every vehicle is different, so refer to your owner’s manual for proper jack placement.

Lift the Vehicle

Now that the jack is in the correct location lift the vehicle until the tire is about six inches off the ground. 

Make sure the car is stable before continuing.

Remove the Lug Nuts and Flat Tire

With the vehicle stable. You can remove the lug nuts and, lastly, the flat tire.

Mount the Spare Tire

Line up the spare tire lug nut holes and firmly seat it onto the hub. 

It’s best to replace the first lugnut on the top stud and continue until all the nuts are hand-tightened back in place.

Lower the Car

Lower the car carefully until the tire contacts the ground, and tighten all the lug nuts firmly.

Tighten the tire in a star pattern to ensure proper tightening.

Fully Lower the Vehicle

Lower the car completely. Retighten the lugs once again using the star pattern method to ensure they are secured tightly.

Secure the Cargo

Load the jack, tools, and, of course, flat tire back into your vehicle.

Before driving off, double-check that everything is secure and that you didn’t leave your flashlight and emergency triangle on the side of the road.

The Final Step

Drive cautiously towards a tire center, as most vehicles nowadays have space-saving spares. This means keeping it under 55, Mario Andretti.

Let’s Hit the Open Road!

This list can and should be adjusted according to your climate and needs. People in the Pacific Northwest will most likely need different gear than those in the Southwest or along the Gulf Coast. Wool blankets are unnecessary items for a summer road trip through Death Valley.

So, is your vehicle fully equipped? Well, what are you waiting for? Get out there and build your roadside emergency kit, practice changing a tire, and be sure to tag us when you do. We would love to share your skill set on our social media pages. Besides, you don’t want a flat tire ruining that first school day!