Lexus Service Tips: How to Change a Flat Tire

There are few things more annoying than a flat tire interrupting your commute or road trip, but knowing how to handle it can make vehicle ownership much less stressful. When you need professional Lexus service, the team at Lexus of Valencia is always available to help, but our team also wants you to feel confident when handling minor repairs yourself. Changing a tire is a straightforward process — here is an overview of how to safely do it.

First Steps and Preparation

As soon as you notice that your tire may be flat, drive to a flat area away from traffic and turn on your hazard lights. Turn on your parking brake, and then find the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench in your trunk or cargo area. We also recommend that you consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific instructions regarding the jack points, and if possible, use wheel chocks and a reflective triangle for better safety assurances.

Carefully Lift the Vehicle

Before you raise the car, use the lug wrench to slightly loosen the lug nuts while the tire is still touching the ground. Position the jack under the designated frame notch and slowly raise the vehicle until the flat tire is roughly six inches off the pavement. Remove the lug nuts when you’re sure the vehicle is stable and secure.

Install the Spare Tire

Pull the flat tire off the hub. Line up the spare tire with the wheel studs and push it firmly onto the wheel hub until it sits flush. Hand-tighten the lug nuts as much as possible to hold the wheel in place, but do not fully tighten them with the wrench until the car is lowered. Remember, unless your spare tire is a full-size replacement, it’s only designed to drive for about 50 miles, so don’t count on driving on your “donut” for too long.

Final Steps

Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire touches the ground, remove the jack, and then use the wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern. Pack up your tools and damaged tire, and check the pressure in the spare to ensure that it’s safe.

Visit the Lexus of Valencia Tire Center Near Santa Clarita, CA

If you are uncomfortable changing the tire yourself, the team at Lexus of Valencia is ready to help. We also have a Lexus tire center where we will replace your spare with a new tire. Visit us today!