STP

Don't Be That Guy

• Tutorials
• Blog
• STP^®   Products
• Are You That Guy?
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

  HOW TO CHANGE A TIRE

  Oh no, your tire has a boo-boo.

  Print this Tutorial

  
• 

  Download and print the mini-version of our pamphlet.

  Download

  

• 

  expand

  contract

  Pull as far off the road as you can. Look for a level spot, put your hazard lights on, and engage your parking brake. That's the thing in between the front seats on most cars, where you keep your hair scrunchies.

• 
• 

  expand

  contract

  Find your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. These are usually all in the trunk, under the mat, beneath your bag of knitting needles.

• 
• 

  expand

  contract

  Use the lug wrench to loosen--but not remove--the nuts on the flat tire. This may be difficult for you because it requires upper body strength, which is not a known side effect of your tofu diet.

• 
• 

  expand

  contract

  The owner's manual will tell you exactly where to place the jack. It needs to be on a solid part of the frame. Avoid stuff that bends easily, like your willpower when you get around angel food cake.

• 
• 

  expand

  contract

  Jack the car high enough off the ground to remove the flat tire, then finish unscrewing the lug nuts. You can use your fingers for this. Careful though, they might get dirty. Luckily, you have plenty of hand sanitizer in the glove box.

• 
• 

  expand

  contract

  Place the spare tire on the wheel hub and screw the lug nuts back on. Start with your fingers, then use the lug wrench to get the nuts tight.

  SAFETY NOTE: Lower the car back to the ground before you do your final wrenching. You want to get that spare tire on there nice and snug. Otherwise, your lug nuts could come loose. Three wheels on the pavement is great when you're riding your tricycle, but not so hot for driving your car.

• 
• 

  expand

  contract

  Put the flat tire and the tools in your trunk and continue on to spin class. But remember to release the parking brake.

•