Tucson, AZ Guide to Safely Changing a Flat Tire

A flat tire can happen in a driveway, parking area, or along a busy road. Knowing how to replace it with a spare can help you move to a safer location, but the procedure should be postponed if traffic, extreme heat, poor visibility, or unstable ground creates a serious hazard.

What should you do first after a tire goes flat?

Slow down gradually, keep both hands on the steering wheel, and guide the vehicle toward a level, stable area away from moving traffic. Avoid sudden braking or sharp steering, especially if the tire has lost pressure completely.

Once stopped:

• Turn on the hazard warning lights.
• Put the transmission in park, or leave a manual transmission in first gear or reverse.
• Set the parking brake.
• Turn off the engine.
• Have passengers exit on the side away from traffic if it is safe.
• Keep a safe distance from the roadway.

On highways or heavily traveled roads, changing a tire beside traffic can be more dangerous than the flat itself. If the vehicle cannot be moved far enough from traffic, remaining inside with the seat belt fastened may be safer than working beside the vehicle.

In Tucson, AZ, heat is another concern. Pavement can become extremely hot during much of the year, and roadside work can cause heat exhaustion quickly. Carrying water and avoiding unnecessary exposure to direct sun are practical precautions.

What equipment is needed?

Most vehicles with a conventional spare tire include the basic tools needed for a tire change:

• Spare tire
• Scissor jack or hydraulic jack
• Lug wrench
• Vehicle owner’s manual
• Wheel chock or solid object to help prevent movement
• Gloves and a flashlight, if available

Some newer vehicles have a tire inflator and sealant kit instead of a spare. These kits may temporarily seal a small tread puncture, but they generally cannot repair sidewall damage, a large cut, or a tire that has separated from the wheel. Check the owner’s manual before relying on a sealant kit.

The spare tire may be mounted beneath the vehicle, inside the cargo area, or in a separate compartment. Check its air pressure periodically. A spare that has been sitting unused can lose pressure, and a flat spare is not a useful emergency tool.

How do you loosen the lug nuts?

Remove the wheel cover or hubcap if it blocks access to the lug nuts. Place the lug wrench on one nut and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it.

Do not remove the nuts completely while the tire is still on the ground. Loosening them while the vehicle’s weight holds the wheel in place prevents the wheel from spinning.

If a nut will not move, make sure the wrench is fully seated and use steady pressure rather than sudden jerking. Never use excessive force if the vehicle is positioned unsafely. Some lug nuts require a special key, which should be stored with the vehicle’s other tire tools.

Where should the jack be placed?

Use only the jacking point identified in the owner’s manual. These reinforced points are usually located near the wheel being changed, but their exact positions vary by vehicle.

Place the jack on firm, level ground. Loose gravel, soft soil, sand, or sloped pavement can allow the jack to shift. This is especially relevant around desert shoulders and unpaved pullouts, where the surface may look solid but may not support the jack safely.

Before lifting:

1. Confirm that the transmission is in park or in gear.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Place a wheel chock behind or in front of a tire that will remain on the ground.
4. Keep your body out from underneath the vehicle.
5. Make sure the jack is straight and centered at the approved lifting point.

Raise the vehicle slowly until the flat tire is approximately two inches above the ground. It does not need to be lifted high into the air. Lifting farther than necessary increases instability.

How do you remove the flat tire?

With the vehicle raised, remove the loosened lug nuts and place them where they will not roll away. Pull the wheel straight toward you. If it is stuck from corrosion or dirt, keep your hands clear of pinch points and avoid striking the vehicle or wheel with excessive force.

Set the damaged wheel flat on the ground. Do not leave it leaning against the vehicle, where it could fall or create a tripping hazard.

Inspect the exposed wheel studs, brake components, and hub area for obvious damage. A bent wheel, broken stud, leaking fluid, or damaged suspension component means the vehicle may not be safe to drive with the spare installed.

How do you install the spare tire?

Line up the holes in the spare wheel with the wheel studs or hub. Push the tire onto the hub until it sits flush.
Thread each lug nut by hand first. This helps prevent cross-threading, which can damage the studs or nuts. Tighten the nuts in a crisscross or star pattern rather than moving around the circle in order.
At this stage, tighten them only enough to hold the wheel in place. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts while the tire is off the ground.

How tight should the lug nuts be?

Lower the vehicle slowly until the spare tire touches the ground and cannot spin, but leave enough weight on the jack to keep it stable. Finish tightening the lug nuts in a star pattern with the lug wrench.
The correct final tightness is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and is usually measured in pound-feet. A torque wrench provides the most accurate result. If one is not available, tighten the nuts firmly in the star pattern without standing on the wrench or using a pipe for extra leverage.
Drive cautiously afterward and have the lug nut tightness checked as soon as reasonably possible. A spare tire installation is not complete if the nuts are only hand-tight or unevenly tightened.

What are the limits of a temporary spare?

Many compact spare tires are designed only for temporary use. Common limitations include:

• Lower maximum speed
• Shorter driving distance
• Reduced traction
• Different handling during braking and cornering
• Restrictions on use with all-wheel-drive systems

Follow the speed and distance limits printed on the spare or listed in the owner’s manual. A compact spare is meant to provide limited mobility, not to replace a full-size tire indefinitely.
If the vehicle uses a full-size spare, confirm that its tread type, size, and inflation pressure are appropriate for continued use. A different tire diameter can affect handling and vehicle systems.

When should you avoid changing the tire yourself?

Do not attempt the repair beside fast-moving traffic, on unstable ground, during nearby flooding, or where visibility is poor. A jack should never be used on a slope unless the vehicle can be moved to a safer location.
Extra caution is also needed if the vehicle is loaded heavily, the flat tire is on the traffic side, the wheel is damaged, or the vehicle has no clearly marked jacking point. A tire that blew out may have damaged the wheel, brake line, suspension, or bodywork.
After installing the spare, stop driving if the vehicle pulls sharply, vibrates, makes unusual sounds, or shows warning lights. Tire pressure should be checked promptly, particularly after temperature changes or extended driving in the heat common to the area.

How can residents reduce the chance of being stranded?

Check tire pressure at least monthly and before long trips. Temperature swings can change pressure readings, and tires may lose air slowly without looking flat. Inspect the tread for cracks, uneven wear, embedded objects, and sidewall damage.

Keep the spare, jack, lug wrench, flashlight, gloves, and owner’s manual together. In a hot climate, storing water and sun protection in the vehicle can also make roadside delays safer. Knowing where the tire tools are located before an emergency saves time when visibility, traffic, or weather makes the task more difficult.