In order to save space and weight many new cars now have a puncture repair kit, comprising of a sealant and compressor, rather than a spare wheel. If your car has one of these it is important to familiarise yourself with the kit so you know exactly how to use it should you get a puncture.
If your car does have a spare wheel, it’s a good idea to practice changing it at home in daylight, then if you do get a puncture you’ll be able to cope more calmly and easily than if you were completely unprepared.
Before changing a tyre, whether for practice or because of a puncture check your car’s handbook for any vehicle-specific advice. In a safe environment, with the right tools and some basic knowledge changing a wheel on any vehicle should be straightforward.
Safety first
When changing a wheel the safety of yourself and other road users should be paramount at all times.
Never change a tyre on a motorway hard shoulder or the side of the road, if you can turn off and pull into a safe place. Ensure the ground is hard, flat and even and that all passengers are out of the car and moved to a safe place.
Once you are certain that you have found a safe place away from the danger of closely passing cars, turn on your hazard warning lights and you can now begin to change the tyre.
Ensure the handbrake is on and leave the car in gear (or park for automatics) to prevent rolling and place a large stone or heavy object behind the other tyres for extra safety.
Jacking up the car
Take out your spare wheel and jack, these are usually found under the floor of your boot but check your owner’s manual if you are unsure. Place the spare on the ground where it will be convenient for fitting.
The car’s manual will tell you where to fit the jack. In most cars, there is a notch in the metal frame where the jack fits in. If you can, find something soft to put under your knees, ensure the jack head is fully engaged and raise the jack until you feel the car’s weight is fully supported. At this stage you don’t want to raise the wheel off the ground completely.
Removing the nuts & bolts
Remove the wheel trim (if fitted) and using the vehicle’s wheel brace and locking wheel-nut adaptors slacken off the wheel nuts/bolts (most turn anticlockwise to undo).
Raise the jack further so the wheel is just clear of the ground. Fully remove the wheel nuts/bolts while ensuring the wheel is kept in position, leaving the top one until last so that both hands are free to lift the wheel away.
Fitting the spare wheel
Lift the spare wheel into position, ensuring it lines up with the wheel nuts/bolts. Put on the nuts/bolts, tightening them as fully as possible by hand, then using the wrench, working a
Lower the jack until the weight of the car is on the wheel and give each nut a final turn. Replace the hub cap and lower the jack all the way and remove.
Store everything back into the boot and you’re good to go!
Driving with a spare wheel
It is advised you pull over at the next petrol station to check the air pressure of the tyre. If the spare is a temporary-use ‘skinny’ tyre these tyres have some restrictions; including being typically limited to 50mph and should be replaced with a normal tyre as soon as possible.
Driving with a spare tyre on can cause systems, such as ABS, traction control and some automatic gearboxes to upset by the change in tyre size and can cause dashboard lights to come on; this is nothing to worry about though.
If you feel you are not in a safe or convenient place to change your
If your punctured tyre is beyond repair Asda Tyres has a fantastic selection of tyres at low prices; simply enter your car registration number and find tyres available for your car today!