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Avoid these 5 mistakes when dealing with a flat tire

Avoid these 5 mistakes when dealing with a flat tire

A vehicle’s tires are one of the more vital components to get us from one place to another. However, if a vehicle has a fresh set of wheels or ones that are slightly worn out, they are prone to damage and punctures due to various factors on the road, including nails. Carrying out a tire change is easy as long as you avoid these six mistakes while dealing with a flat tire.

Keeping the jack in the wrong area
If you run a flat in the middle of nowhere, the jack is your saving grace for lifting the car to replace it quickly. However, many people place it anywhere, which may damage the car’s frame as it lifts. Therefore, when placing the tool, look for a designated spot, such as a depression, hole, or groove near the wheel created for the Jack. Jack may need to go to a certain area on the frame without a designated spot. Slowly raise the jack until you feel it takes the car’s weight, and ensure there is no bending before carrying on with the tire replacement.

Driving around on a spare
Many cars have a compact spare to fit in the vehicle’s boot and get you out of a flat tire until you reach the repair shop. However, they are not meant to drive around like a regular tire. So even if a full spare is available, changing it at the repair shop is better as the spare threads could be newer than the tread on the other three tires. In either case, the imbalance could lead to safety problems and also hamper the vehicle’s performance.

Leaving the lugs loose
It is important to replace the lugs after the tire has been changed. You should also lower the car and check if the lugs are tightened. If you do not do this, it might result in the wheel coming off in between a journey which could be a severe safety hazard. So before you start driving again, hand-tighten the lugs in a star pattern so they are on evenly and can support the car. After this, lower the car and use the wrench to tighten them entirely in the same pattern to ensure the job is done right.

Not applying the hand brake
While a tire change is an easy process, there might be certain elements, such as applying the handbrake, that one often misses out on. Not doing so may result in the vehicle rolling forward or backward before or after changing the tire. And this could be catastrophic if there are other vehicles on the route. So ensure you apply the handbrake before getting out of the car to replace the tire.

Neglecting level ground
If you experience a blowout on an incline, it’s important to be cautious when changing the tire. Many people rush to start the replacement process immediately, but lifting the car with the Jack can be tricky. The incline may cause the vehicle to slip off the tool, potentially damaging the frame. It’s important to take time and ensure the car is stabilized correctly before replacing the tire.

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