Tyre punctures are the bane of every driver’s life. The know-how of changing a flat tyre is imperative. They demand immediate attention, regardless of where you are and what you had otherwise planned.
Whether or not a tyre is repairable depends on the size and location of the puncture and the internal damage caused by driving with a deflated tyre.

Loosen the wheel nuts

CMH Nissan Hillcrest has compiled a step-by-step guide on how to change a flat tyre.

Find a safe spot to pull over when changing a flat tyre

Flat tyres often happen in the most inconvenient locations. You’ll need to find a safe spot to pull over. If possible, have the flat tyre facing the verge side of the road instead of the traffic side. Once safely parked, put on your hazards, put your vehicle in neutral/park and pull up the handbrake.

Place your emergency triangle in plain sight

Place your emergency triangle in plain sight

Place your emergency triangle approximately 20 meters behind your vehicle on the road.

Find objects (bricks, small rocks, or logs) to support your brakes

Brick behind other wheels to secure

Look for bricks, small rocks or logs and place them behind the other wheels to secure the vehicle and prevent it from rolling.

Get your spare wheel, jack, and wheel spanner from their compartments

Jack, spare wheel and wheel spanner compartment

Retrieve your spare wheel, jack and wheel spanner from their compartments. Depending on your vehicle, some have the spare wheel mounted on the back or underneath the car.

Look for markings or notches on the metal frame of the damaged tyre

Look markings or notches on the metal frame

Look for the markings or notches on the metal frame under the vehicle near the tyre that needs changing. Place the jack under to raise the wheel just enough to release the weight.

Remove the hubcap and loosen the wheel nuts

Remove the hubcap and loosen the wheel nuts using the wheel spanner, turning anti-clockwise. Don’t remove the wheel nuts just yet. Proceed to jack the vehicle up high enough off the ground to remove the wheel and the wheel nuts. Carefully remove the flat tyre and place it under the car as a jacking precaution.

Align the spare wheel rim with the wheel bolts

Align the spare wheel rim with the wheel bolts and slot them into place, and put back the wheel nuts tightening the nuts in a star pattern (Don’t tighten the wheel nut next to the one you’ve just worked on, but rather the one just opposite it) to ensure even torque with your hands till they are nice and snug.

Remove your flat wheel from under the vehicle to complete changing a flat tyre

Remove your flat wheel from under your vehicle and proceed to lower your jack once done. Double-check that the wheel nuts are snug with the wheel spanner.

Place the flat wheel, jack, and wheel spanner in their respective compartments

Place the flat wheel, jack, wheel spanner and emergency triangle into the boot. Take the damaged wheel for repairs or replace it as soon as possible.

Come to CMH Nissan Hillcrest and let us assist you with proper vehicle care.

Contact us on 031 763 3121 or visit CMH Nissan Hillcrest for more details on our brand, accessories, and monthly specials.