Pull over to the side of the road in a safe place. Turn on your hazard lights and set up the parking brake. If you are changing the tire on the side of a busy road, you may want to place a warning triangle or flares a few feet behind your vehicle to alert oncoming traffic.
Step 2: Gather The Necessary Tools and Materials
You will need the following tools and materials to change a tire on a 2003 Dodge Dakota:
- Spare tire
- Jack
- Lug wrench
- Chock
Step 3: Loosen Lug Nuts
Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Do not remove the lug nuts completely at this point.
Step 4: Place the Chock
Place the chock behind the tire on the opposite side of the flat tire. This will help to prevent your vehicle from rolling while you are changing the tire.
Step 5: Jack Up the Vehicle
Position the jack under the vehicle frame, near the flat tire. Use the lug wrench to raise the vehicle until the flat tire is off the ground.
Step 6: Remove the Lug Nuts and Take Off the Flat Tire
Remove the lug nuts and take off the flat tire. Be careful not to drop the lug nuts.
Step 7: Place the Spare Tire on the Wheel Studs
Place the spare tire on the wheel studs. Be sure that the lug holes in the spare tire line up with the wheel studs on the vehicle.
Step 8: Put On the Lug Nuts
Put the lug nuts on by hand. Tighten the lug nuts until they are snug.
Step 9: Lower the Vehicle
Use the lug wrench to lower the vehicle until it is sitting on the spare tire.
Step 10: Tighten the Lug Nuts
Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Tighten the lug nuts until they are secure.
Step 11: Put Away the Tools and Materials
Put away the tools and materials that you used to change the tire.
Step 12: Drive Slowly to a Tire Shop
Drive slowly to a tire shop to have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
