Getting a flat tire during the dead of winter in the middle of the road can both be incredibly inconvenient, and unsafe. If you don’t have the knowledge or tools necessary to perform a flat tire change Vancouver, it may take a while before help arrives, you may have difficulty finding someone who can lend a hand on the road, and the last thing you want is to be waiting in the cold for extended periods of time.
During cold temperatures, tire pressure tends to drop, causing the tires to under-inflate. For cars that are parked all night outside on the street, it can cause your dashboard’s “tire pressure too low” to light up on your dashboard as soon as your tires have the chance to warm up in the morning when you start your car. Let’s take a look at how you can make sure you don’t have to endure a flat tire change Vancouver this winter.
Tools You’ll Need
- Vehicle manual
- Spare tire
- Wrench
- Jack
- Flashlight with working (and spare) batteries
- An extra blanket or a warm coat
- A small piece of wood for the jack
- Warm, durable gloves to be used specifically for vehicle purposes
- Wheel wedges
Before you perform your flat tire change Vancouver, you want to park your vehicle in a safe place – hopefully you had the chance to do this before your car lost control due to the flat tire. You want to turn your hazard lights on and push the parking brake.
The Process
Remove the wheel covers or the hubcap from your vehicle, and use your wrench to loosen the tire’s lug nuts. Then, raise the vehicle with the jack and finally fully unscrew the lug nuts from the tire, making sure to keep them beside you in a safe place so they don’t roll away or get buried in the snow. It can be handy to keep a small container or box nearby. Remove the flat tire, and mount the spare tire onto the lug bolts. Now carefully place back the lug nuts and tighten them lightly, lower your vehicle and tighten them again, this time very securely. Now you can replace the hubcap, put away your equipment and check the pressure in the spare tire.
If you need help for a flat tire change Vancouver during winter, get in touch with us – we are on call 24/7 and are dedicated to keeping you safe year-round!