There are few things more inconvenient than a flat tire, but even the best drivers experience them occasionally, especially on rough roads. Fortunately, if you can install a spare tire, you can get your vehicle to our BMW service center so you can continue driving. Here’s our guide to changing a flat tire.
Seven Steps to Changing a Flat Tire
To change a flat tire, you’ll need a spare tire, a lug wrench, and a car jack. Flats happen unexpectedly, so it’s a good idea to keep these things in your trunk at all times. Many new vehicles come with their own set of tools. Once you have everything together, you can change your tire by following these steps:
- Put the car in “park” and activate the emergency brake
- Use the wrench to loosen the bolts on the wheel
- Position the jack beneath the vehicle frame and raise the car off the ground
- Completely remove the loosened bolts and put them aside, then remove the flat tire.
- Install the spare tire and partially tighten the bolts by hand
- Lower the vehicle by retracting the car jack
- Fully tighten the bolts with your lug wrench so the spare tire is firmly in place
Driving with a Spare Tire
Spare tires are not meant for regular driving. They should only be used to get you to a service center safely. Experts recommend that you do not exceed 50 miles of driving on a spare tire, and you should keep your speed below 50 miles per hour. More than this could result in damage to other car parts, such as the transmission.
Get Expert BMW Service in Northfield, IL
The service center at Fields BMW Northfield is happy to help you with all things tire-related. Whether you decide to repair the damaged tire or have a new one installed, the experienced technicians at our Northfield, IL BMW dealership can provide excellent service. Schedule an appointment with us today!