changing car tyre

Got a flat? Let’s turn roadside drama into mild inconvenience and a good story for later.

Park on level ground, hazards on, handbrake set, and chock the opposite wheel. Crack the wheel nuts half a turn before jacking, then place the jack on the marked jacking point and lift. Off with the nuts, wheel off, spare on, and hand-tighten the nuts in a star pattern like you mean it. Lower the car and tighten the nuts to the manufacturer’s torque spec—no jumping on the wrench, you’re not at the gym. Stow the dead tyre, set the spare’s pressure to the placard (kPa), and recheck the nuts after a short drive. If it’s a space-saver, keep speeds down and get the puncture repaired pronto.