A little Mazda service can go a long way when it comes to keeping your vehicle safe, but it’s just as important to know how to care for your car between appointments. Route 9 Mazda has you covered. Learn how to change a flat tire on the go with help from our team.
Get to Safety
If you notice something is wrong with one of your tires, or if you experience a blowout, pull over right away. Get your vehicle to a safe, level spot on the shoulder, if possible, and put your hazards on to warn other drivers that there is an obstacle. You also want to engage the parking brake and secure the other tires with wheel wedges, if you have them.
Loosen the Lug Nuts
First, retrieve your jack, spare tire, and tire iron or lug wrench from your trunk or cargo area.
To loosen the lug nuts, you may first need to remove a hubcap or wheel cover. Then you’ll want to loosen — but not remove — the lug nuts. Break the resistance and turn them about ¼ to ½ of the way before moving on to the next step.
Raise the Vehicle
Next, you’ll need to raise the vehicle using the available jack. Make sure to place the jack under the vehicle’s frame and near the damaged tire. Raise the vehicle off the ground about six inches and then finish unscrewing the lug nuts.
Replace the Tire
Once the lug nuts have been removed, you can replace the damaged tire with the spare. Line the new tire up with the bolts and situate. Put the lug nuts on in a star formation and tighten them by hand.
Lower the Vehicle
Finally, you’ll want to lower the vehicle back to the ground, just until the tire is touching. Tighten the lug nuts using your wrench, making sure they are fully secure but not too tight. Lower your vehicle the rest of the way, return your tools and flat tire, and drive to our Mazda Service Center as soon as possible. If your spare is a “donut,” you should drive no more than 50 miles before getting your replacement.
Schedule Tire Service in Poughkeepsie, NY
No matter what your tire needs may be, Route 9 Mazda is here to help. We make it easy to get care before and after the fact, so you’ll have peace of mind. Schedule tire service at our dealership today!
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