Change Your Own Tire And Save A Call To Roadside Assistance

While everyone who owns a car should know how to change a tire, the extent of some drivers’ knowledge on the subject is to pull out a phone and dial up roadside assistance. Learning how to do it yourself can save you from hours-long waits and unnecessary deductibles.

DMV.org, a private site that proclaims itself “The Unofficial DMV Guide,” does what your dad never had time for and walks you through the process.

The crucial first step is to find out where your jack, spare tire/donut and tools are located. Your car manual will fill you in, so educate yourself before you head out on a drive. Your manual will also have crucial tips such as where on your car to mount your jack so you can lift your car without damaging it.

Before you get down and dirty, make sure you’re parked in as safe a place as possible, and turn on your hazard lights. Once you’ve jacked your car up, you need to remove the lug nuts, switch to your donut or spare, replace the lug nuts, and lower the car. Once you’ve pulled the jack away, be sure to tighten the nuts as much as possible to avoid a three-wheeling experience.

How To Change a Tire [DMV.org]

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