6 Safety Tips to Follow When Changing a Flat Tire

Statistics show that roughly 220 million drivers experience a flat tire in the United States each year. What's even more alarming, however, is that one in five drivers don't know how to change a flat tire. As a result, they inadvertently expose themselves to injury when attempting to change their flat tire. The next time you blow a tire while driving, follow these six safety tips to get back on the road.

#1) Turn on Your Hazard Lights

When you first notice your car has a flat tire, turn on your hazard lights. This will alert other drivers, encouraging them to drive slower and more cautiously while you search for a place to pull over.

#2) Search for a Safe Area to Pull Over

With your hazard lights flashing, start searching for a safe area to pull over. Don't just pull over on the side of a busy highway. Rather, find an unoccupied parking lot or wide shoulder. Countless drivers have been struck by passing vehicles while changing flat tires on the side of road, so you need to find a safe area to reduce your risk of injury.

#3) Place Triangle Reflectors Behind Your Car

By now, you should have already found a safe place to park your car, in which case you should get out to place triangle warning reflectors behind your car. Light hazard lights, the purpose of these reflectors is to alert other drivers to your presence. Just one or two triangle reflectors will make you and your car more visible to other drivers, allowing you to safely change your flat tire.

#4) Pull the Parking Brake

It's also a good idea to pull your car's parking brake before attempting to change your flat tire. The parking brake will help stabilize and secure your car, preventing it from rolling back while you are changing the flat tire.

#5) Place Jack Under Car's Jack Points

You shouldn't jack up your car from just any part of the chassis. Most modern cars, trucks and vehicles are designed with specific areas to jack it up. Known as jack points, there are usually four of them, each of which is located near a different wheel.

#6) Tighten Lug Nuts

After taking off your flat tire and replacing it with the spare, you'll need to tighten the lug nuts. Using as much force possible, turn the lug nuts with a lug wrench. For added power, you may be able to step on the lug wrench while inserted into the lug nut and then gently jump on it.