Okay there are many different types of jack but they all have the same basic principle. There is usually a little crank you have to turn or there is a lever you pump up and down. Often times the crank or lever is a separate piece you must insert and sometimes they use the other end of the lug wrench as the lever. You are ready to place the jack.

Place the flat side of the jack under the car. Where you place the jack is very important. You want to place it between the two tires, not on the outside, this gives the car more stability as the center of gravity is further in. Place the jack near the flat tire side as well. Come to <a href=”http://www.enterprisecarsales.com/SaltLakeCityUsedCars”>Salt Lake City used cars</a> for a huge selection of cars you will love.

Very important! Place the jack under the metal frame of the car, NOT the plastic or fiberglass body on the outside. If you raise the jack on the body, it will crack the plastic and it could also collapse. Often car will have a notch on the metal bar under the car to fit a jack into. Once your jack is in position, you can begin pumping the jack. As it goes up, it will lift the car up in the air. Pump until the tire is a few inches off the ground.

(We now continue with part 2 of our award winning series…”to fix a flat”…)

Remember when you jack the car up to leave room to fit the new tire in. Now you are ready for what is usually the hardest part: Taking of the lug nuts. Grab your tire iron, there are a couple of different types.  One has one socket, another one has four. The four way wrench is the best, because you may not know what sized socket you need plus the 4 way provides great leverage when taking of the nuts.

You usually have five lug nuts.  Place the socket onto a lug nut and turn it counter clock wise. This is by far the most difficult part. The nuts can be on really tight and it can take a good bit of strength to loosen them. If they were put on by an electric wrench they can be very difficult to turn. Other factors, such as cold weather, can make them tighter as well.

Loosen one nut but do not unscrew it all the way. You don’t want to put too much pressure on the other nuts. Loosen it just enough to release some pressure so that it turns easily. Now move to the opposite screw across from the one you just did. Loosen it like the other.  Then move across to another one and loosen it. Keep going back and forth loosening them all until they are all done. Now you can finish unscrewing them all the way.

Take all the nuts off. It is VERY important to keep track of where all the nuts are. They can be easy to lose and you need them all for the spare. Pull the flat tire off and set it somewhere to the side for now.  Take the spare tire and line it up with the screws. The holes should be facing inwards, not outwards. Slide the spare onto the screws.

Now you will put the nuts on in the same way you took them off. Screw one on till there is a slight bit of pressure on the tire. Then place the nut across from it on and turn until there is pressure as well, then the next across from it. Keep going until all the nuts are on but not tight. Now you can tighten them.

Use the wrench to tighten the nuts as much as possible. Go back over them again to make sure they are on good. You definitely don’t want them coming loose while driving. Once you are sure they are tight enough. Make sure nothing is under the car and release the handle on the jack or crank it in the opposite direction to lower it.

Place all the equipment and the spare tire back in the trunk and close it. Get in the car. Don’t forget to turn off your hazards and remember to RELEASE the emergency break as well.  Once you start the car you will probably want to drive to some place you can wash your hands. Otherwise, you are good to go.

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