subject: A Flat Tire, A Wrench And A Skirt [print this page] You've spent all morning getting ready, but now that you're on your way to your presentation, you start hearing a thumping sound. Is that your tire, or the road? You pull over and sure enough, your tire's flat.
Let's say that for one reason or another you're unable to get a hold of your Utah auto repair company or anyone else to come give you a hand. Or maybe a more likely scenario is that you're in a rush and don't have time to wait for someone. Both circumstances are stressful, and require taking matters literally into your own hands.
In either circumstance, you're going to have to change your tire on your own. Don't worry; it really isn't as hard as it sounds. Later on you can take your damaged tire to your Utah auto repair company to patch it back up.
Since you're wearing nice clothing, you want to avoid getting them dirty. It seems like no matter how hard you try, though, your clothes always end up with grease smudges on them. A great suggestion is to buy yourself a pair of coveralls, disposable gloves, and some paper towels to keep in your vehicle at all times.
First drive your car (yes, you can move it) to a flat spot well off the road if you can. Go fishing in the trunk and get out your spare tire, jack, and lug nut wrench. Look in your owner's manual to know where your jack should go.
Lift the jack until it just touches the car. If you have wheel covers, pull those off first. Using a screwdriver to pry them off is the easiest way. Loosen the lug nuts, but do not take them all the way off.
Now raise your vehicle and finish taking the lug nuts the rest of the way off. Now is the especially tricky part of removing the tire. If you have long sleeves, you had better roll them up.
You're getting close to finishing! Put the spare tire on and screw the lug nuts in by hand a bit to secure them. Now you just need to lower the vehicle and finish screwing the lug nuts on with the wrench. Make sure they're really tight, and you're done. Remember to bring your tire to your Utah auto repair shop to get it patched, or buy a new one if necessary.
