Has one of your tires gone flat while driving? Are you heading out to help a friend with their flat tire? Check out NB Motors' list of tools needed to change a flat tire.
Essentials for Changing a Flat Tire
Spare tire - In many vehicle models, the spare tire can be found in 3 familiar places. The first area you can find your spare tire is in the trunk under the plastic or carpeted floor cover; this will be the case for many sedans and mid-sized SUVs. As for trucks and full-sized SUVs, you can find your spare tire under the vehicle near the back.
Carjack - Given that the average car or SUV weighs between 4000-6000 lbs, a car jack is necessary to lift the side of the vehicle on which the flat is located. You can purchase different types of jacks, but we recommend having a one-and-a-half-ton to two-ton jack in your car. You can find car jacks at your local auto parts store or retailers such as Amazon or Homedepot for a little less than $40
Lug wrench - A lug wrench is necessary to loosen and fasten the lugnuts which secure your tires to your vehicle. There are a few variations of lug wrenches; choose the one that is the most comfortable for you.
Tire pressure gauge - The tire pressure gauge allows you to know how aired up your spare tire is after installation. Since your spare tire only gets used occasionally, it is good practice to ensure it has the correct PSI. There are both electronic and mechanical tire gauges, however when choosing which meter is best for your vehicle, check on the side of the driver's door or your owner's manual to see what PSI your tires need to be at, to ensure that you get a gauge that has the range. For example, if your tires' PSI is 33, you would want to get a meter that reads up to 60 PSI.
Optional but recommended
Reflective triangles - Alerts other drivers to stay safe from your vehicle.
Work gloves - Not needed but recommended for the protection of your hands.
Owner's manual - Your vehicle's owner's manual is full of everything there is to know about your car, including how to change a flat tire and where your spare tire can be found. If you no longer have the physical paper copy of your owner's manual, you can search for the online PDF by entering your vehicle's year, make, and model, followed by the key phrase "owner's manual."
Changing the Tire
Learning to change a tire can be challenging, but thanks to modern technology and online resources such as this video from O'Reilly Auto Parts, anyone can change a flat tire in a matter of minutes.
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For more helpful tips, check out NB Motors' other blog posts.
