How To Change a Tire: A Step-by-Step Guide From Your Ford Dealer

We’ve all been there – rushing to get to work or an important appointment, only to be slowed down by a flat tire. It can be incredibly frustrating but don’t worry. Your Ford dealer has got you covered with quick and easy steps on how to change a tire in no time.

Step 1: Pull Over When It’s Safe

If you notice you have a flat tire, quickly and safely find a level and firm spot away from traffic to pull over. If you drive an automatic, put your vehicle in park, and if it’s a manual, shift into reverse to reduce the chance of your car rolling while changing the tire. Switch on your hazard lights to make your vehicle more visible to other drivers.

Step 2: Loosen the Lug Nuts 

Remove the wheel wedges, lug wrench, jack, and spare tire from the trunk. Place the wheel wedges in front of and behind the tire to prevent the car from rolling. Using the lug wrench, loosen the lug nuts counterclockwise, but don’t remove them altogether.

Step 3: Jack Up Your Car

Locate the jacking point positioned beneath the car, near the flat tire. Check your owner’s manual if you need clarification on where the jack placements are. Jack up your vehicle and use the lug wrench to loosen and remove the nuts. Store the nuts securely to prevent misplacing them. Take the flat tire off and position it beneath the car to safeguard your vehicle if it slips off the jack.

Step 4: Mount the Spare Tire

Place the spare tire in front of the wheel well and align the rim with the bolts. Push the tire inward until the bolts poke through the rim, then fit the nuts onto the bolts. Tighten the nuts clockwise with your hand as tightly as you can. Don’t use the wrench at this stage.

Step 5: Lower Your Car 

Lower your car using the jack until the tire is touching the ground. Use the wrench to tighten the nuts by turning them in a clockwise direction until the wheel is flush against the hub. Tighten every other nut if there are five of them. For four nuts, tightening them in opposing pairs will do the trick. Once done, lower your car, remove the jack, and give the nuts a final tightening. If you have hubcaps, replace them and put all your tools back in the trunk.
To ensure your tires are in good condition, swing by Interstate Ford today, and our certified Ford technician will thoroughly examine your tires for wear and damage and inflate them to the proper pressure levels. 

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