1. Pull over to the side of the road in a safe location. This means finding a spot that is well off the travel lanes and has a wide shoulder.
2. Turn on your hazard lights and set the parking brake. This will help other drivers see you and avoid an accident.
3. Get out of your car and inspect the flat tire. If the tire is simply flat, you may be able to fix it by inflating it with a spare tire or a can of sealant. If the tire is damaged beyond repair, you will need to replace it with a new spare.
4. Jack up your car. To safely change a tire on the freeway, you must lift your car off the ground. First, use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Do not remove the lug nuts completely at this point. Next, place the jack under your car and slowly lift it until the flat tire is off the ground. Make sure the jack is positioned securely and will not slip.
5. Remove the flat tire. Once the tire is off the ground, you must remove the flat tire. Start removing the lug nuts and lift the tire off.
6. Mount the spare tire. Place the spare tire on the lug nuts and replace the lug nuts. Hand tighten the lug nuts to hold the spare tire on the car.
7. Lower the car. Slowly lower the car using the jack.
8. Lower your car by turning the lug wrench counterclockwise. Once your car is lowered, remove the jack.
9. Tighten the lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts completely using a lug wrench. This is crucial for ensuring that the spare tire is securely attached to your car.
10. Continue driving to a safe location. Once the spare tire is in place, you can drive your car to a safe location where you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
This procedure should only be practiced if there is absolutely no other alternative and if it’s deemed extremely safe to stop and change the tire on the freeway. Otherwise, it is typically suggested to contact roadside assistance or a mechanic to come to your aid. The safety of the driver, passengers, and other drivers on the road is of utmost importance.
