Not everyone that purchases insurance gets an endorsement to cover roadside assistance. So here is a general step by step breakdown to changing your own tire when in a pinch.
Before you get started, make sure you locate your jack, lug wrench, spare tire, and any other tools you may need to change your tire.
Step 1. Once you realize you have a flat, calmly find a safe and level location to pull over.
Step 2. Turn your hazard lights on, so that you are well visible to others passing by.
Step 3. Engage your parking brake and chalk your wheels. You can substitute a large rock if you do not have chalks available, but chalks are definitely recommended.
Step 4. Before jacking up the vehicle, loosen you lug nuts on the wheel.
Step 5. Position your jack at the designated jack location for your vehicle(refer to your owners manual) and start jacking up the vehicle.
Step 6. Once you have the car jacked up and the wheel is no longer touching the ground, you can finish unscrewing the lug nuts in order to remove the wheel.
Step 7. Grab your spare tire and replace your flat tire with it.
Step 8. Now that you have your spare mounted, by hand, tighten the lug nuts back onto the lug bolts to secure the tire. (Always tighten in a crisscross pattern.)
Step 9. You may now lower the vehicle until your wheel is touching the ground again. Once it is touching grab your wrench and finish tightening the lug nuts. Make sure they are tight and that you are tightening in a crisscross pattern.
Step 10. Before you clean up, check the tire pressure of your spare to make sure it has acquitted amount of air to drive on. If it doesn’t, grab your air compressor and add some air to it.
Step 11. Now that you have your tire secured and you have checked the tire pressure, it’s time to clean up. Load your flat tire up along with your other tools that you used to complete the job. You are now all set and ready to take your flat tire to a near by tire repair shop to have it fixed.
If you need some recommendations for Tire repair, automotive work or recovery, we have included a few recommendations below.
Buckskin Towing and Repair: Located on the outskirts of Downtown Pagosa, off of Hwy 160. They specializes in towing, automotive repair, and auto body repair. Can accommodate really any automotive need that you may have. Contact them at: 970-264-2500
Lucero Tire: Is located Downtown Pagosa directly behind the Natural Grocers, off of 8th st. The Specialize in anything tire related. Contact them at 970-264-3232.
America’s Auto Care & Tire: Located on Putt Hill, off of hwy 160. Right next to Advance Auto Parts. Contact them at 970-264-2887.