Ownership Basics
How To Change A Flat Tire
Changing a flat tire is not something many of us would look forward to, but a flat tire happens to every driver sooner or later.
If you’re reading this article, you’re already taking an important first step – knowing what to do before you experience a problem. Here are a few other things to do:
- Familiarize yourself with all the safety and roadside emergency information in your Owner Guide before you hit the road
- Make sure to keep the Roadside Assistance number in your cell phone, wallet or purse and glove box
- Check the pressure in your spare tire every time you check your other tires to make sure that it is also properly inflated
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not slam on your brakes. You should gradually decrease your speed, while keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel. Then move slowly to a safe place off the road.
Take a look around at your surroundings. If you do not feel safe, do not hesitate to call the police for help.
- Park completely off the road on a level surface and as far from traffic as possible
- Turn on your flashing hazard lights and set your parking brake
- Place your gearshift in P (Park) or R (Reverse) for manual transmissions and turn the engine off
- Block the front and back of the wheel located diagonally opposite to the flat to help keep your vehicle from rolling
- Remove the spare tire, jack and lug wrench from storage
- Remove the hub cap or center ornament by prying it off with the tapered end of the lug wrench
- Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn counterclockwise, but do not remove them until the wheel is raised off the ground
- Put the jack in the jack notch next to the door of the tire you are changing, and turn the jack handle clockwise until the wheel is high enough off the ground to put the spare on
- Finish removing the lug nuts with the lug wrench and remove the flat tire
- Place the spare tire on the wheel hub, making sure the valve stem is facing outward (the valve stem is the nozzle you put air in)
- Reinstall lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered
- Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise
- Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts beginning at the top of the tire and then alternating every other nut, until all are fully tightened
- Return the flat tire, jack and lug wrench to their proper storage locations
- Unblock the wheels
- Stop by your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership for a replacement tire as soon as possible
Always use extra caution while driving on a temporary spare tire. Most are designed for emergency – not extended – use. Follow these guidelines until you’re able to get to your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership for a replacement
- Keep your speed under 50 mph – most spares are not designed to handle high speeds
- Remove any excess weight from your vehicle to keep it as light as possible
- Do not tow a trailer
- Do not use tire chains on the end of the vehicle with the spare
- Avoid automatic car washes – your spare does not allow as much clearance as your original tire
- Avoid abrupt steering maneuvers
Your local Ford or Lincoln Dealership is the best place for new tires. Their Ford Motor Company-trained technicians have the right tires for your vehicle for any situation, plus they’ll beat anycompetitor's advertised tire price on the name-brand tires they sell, including Goodyear, Continental, Michelin and more.
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