You are enjoying a long drive on the highway and having a gala time in your car. Suddenly, you realise you have a flat tyre. You must change the tyre to continue your journey. Hence, you immediately stop the car and get hands-on with the job.
Here, you have made a mistake. Never begin working on your tyres without proper precaution. Even mere negligence can lead to grave consequences. Confused? Do not worry. Read this article carefully.
Here, we have mentioned the five common mistakes when changing the tyre. Additionally, we have shared the safety measures you must adhere to while dealing with the issue. Moreover, we have also suggested a one-stop destination for car repair. Scroll down for more information.
5 Common Mistakes When Changing A Flat Tyre
You might not always find a convenient car tyre repair shop whenever you succumb to flat tyres. Hence, you must know about Flat Tire Mistakes to avoid and ensure a safe change. Listed below are the five most commonly committed mistakes while changing tyres.
1. Incorrect Jacking Points
The jack points can vary with different cars. Hence, you must be adequately familiar with your car and its technicalities. One common mistake when we Change a flat tyre is inserting the jack at the points and jacking it up. This damages the car and inhibits its function. Hence, carefully find the jack points and gently try until you have hit the right point. Begin with checking the back of the front wheels at the front of the rear wheels.
2. Lack of Tools
The second mistake is trying to use miscellaneous equipment at our immediate disposal. If you can, then seek repair centres offering tyres and fitting service. If that is not feasible, try contacting roadside assistance. However, do not work on it with any tool. This can harm your car. Do you want to avoid such inconveniences? Your car should always have a well-resourced toolbox to help you out of such situations.
3. Over Tightening Bolts
Some of us might tend to over-tighten nuts and studs. Never do that with tyres. First, it cannot be opened easily when necessary. Moreover, it causes irreversible damage to the threads. However, you also leave it loose, which can cause road accidents. Learn the optimum force you must exert to secure the tyre properly.
4. Random Spare Tyre
Compatibility of tyres is imperative. You cannot replace your flat tyre with some other tyre. Since different tyres have varied properties, a mismatch can hinder the vehicle’s balance. Additionally, it might not be able to properly hold the car’s strength. Hence, be knowledgeable about your car tyres and stock a compatible spare tyre.
5. Not Confirming Car Movement
Before parking the car, confirm the surface. If your car is slanted, it might disbalance while you change the tyres and roll downhill. Hence, first, ensure that you have arrested its movement before you get down to the tyres. The two effective ways are to activate the handbrake and put the vehicle in first gear. However, placing a brick or other things can also obstruct the tyre.
Safety Tips For When You Are Changing A Tyre
There have been major road accidents owing to careless behaviour during tyre changing. When you are confronting such a situation, never panic. Rather, be calm and ensure you abide by these tips for changing a flat tyre safely, which are listed below.
- First, park safely so you do not get hit by any car while you are engrossed in your work. Moreover, remember it is a public road; hence, pay attention to the road. For instance, adhering to car horns or similar others.
- Next, make sure the car is not moving. Put the hand brakes and prepare the car for the tyre change. Those not involved in the activity keep an eye on the road and keep to the other side of it to avoid accidents.
- One of the paramount Things to be considered when changing tyre is turning on the hazard lights, irrespective of the time of the day. If you do this on a highway, use the caution board to warn others from a distance. This is extremely required to prevent road accidents.
- Carefully conduct the necessary steps. Begin with loosening the nuts and jacking the car. Proceed to remove the lug nuts and take out the tyre. Replace it with the compatible tyre and screw the lug bolts manually. Lower the vehicle halfway and tighten the nuts. Lastly, the vehicle must be completely put down, and then the jack must be removed.
- Do not miss on checking the tyre pressure to ensure effective functioning. Moreover, avoid immediately pacing up right after the change. Drive at a medium speed for about fifteen to twenty minutes and gradually increase the acceleration.
If you are unsure about changing a tyre or do not have the necessary tools, it is always a good idea to contact an auto repair shop. They can provide professional assistance to ensure your safety and the proper functioning of your vehicle.
Also read: Top 10 Car Tyre Brands in Australia (Expert Advice)
Ending Notes
Indeed, it is quite challenging to seek professional tyre fitting services from efficient stores such as ASFA Auto Care. Hence, it is always advisable to learn the basics, like changing tyres in case of dire consequences. Ensure you avoid mistakes and absolute safety before, during, and after changing your tyres.
Why ASFA Auto Care Is The Best Option For Car Repairing In Australia
ASFA has proven for years why it is considered one of the best car services Adelaide. They offer top-notch services for a wide range of car repairs and maintenance. Additionally, they offer free inspection by highly qualified car mechanics.
They vow on transparency and have no hidden charges for their auto care services. Moreover, they are capable of offering excellent service to a variety of car brands. Furthermore, they opt for branded and authentic parts in case of replacements.
In ASFA, they treat your car as an asset and personalise their operations for every vehicle. Unlike several other car repair shops, they are open on Sundays for their customers. Hence, get your car checked and all the necessary repairs before you hit the road for your long-planned road trip.
FAQs
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What not to do when changing a flat tyre?
You must never work without properly arresting the movement of the car. Moreover, always put on your hazard or caution board while working. Lastly, identify the correct jack point before jacking and never over-tighten the nuts and bolts.
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What to check after the tyre change?
You must ensure the tyre pressure of the new tyre before you begin the journey. Uneven tyre pressure might hamper the efficiency of the car functions.
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What can cause a flat tyre?
The most common cause is driving over sharp objects. This can puncture tyres, leading to flat tyres. Other reasons include wear and tear, leaking valve stem, heat, etc.
