1. Traffic Safety Series How to Change a Tire Oklahoma Department of Corrections

2. Course Information Course Author: Lynne Presley, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Training Administration Unit Data Sources: Oklahoma Driver’s Manual, revised April 2003, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety; Tire Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Course Released: April 2004 ORACLE course code: SAFI 58000 Training Credit: 30 minutes

3. Course Objectives At the end of this course, students will understand: How to safely park a vehicle after a tire goes flat How to use a jack How to remove and replace lug nuts and tires How to prevent tire damage How to perform a tire safety check

4. Introduction There are some basic safety rules common to all vehicles when changing a flat tire. Adhering to these basic rules will not only help you to avoid injury and vehicle damage, but will get you back on your journey as quickly as possible.

5. Step One If your tire goes flat, do not panic. Park on a level surface, out of the flow of traffic, and set the parking brake firmly. (To reach a level surface, you may have to drive on the flat tire for a distance, but it’s necessary to reach a flat surface before you stop.) Set your parking brake. (Your parking brake may be in a different location than pictured – consult your owner’s manual.) Park on a level surface.

6. Step Two Set the automatic transmission in “Park” (or “Reverse” if manual transmission, or “4H” or “4L” for four- wheel drive vehicles). Set in “4H” or “4L” for 4- wheel drive vehicles. Set auto transmission in park (or reverse for manual transmission).

7. Step Three Activate the hazard warning flashers if the vehicle has them. Activate hazard flashers.

8. Step Four Remove the jacking tools and spare tire from the stowage area. Storage locations for spare tires and jacking tools vary among vehicles – consult your owner’s manual for exact locations. Storage areas for jacking tools vary among vehicles. Different types of jacks & lug nut wrenches.

9. Step Five If possible, block the wheel diagonally opposite the one to be changed (a rock, piece of wood, or some other substantial item may be used). Remove the wheel cover/hub cap if so equipped. Block wheel to help prevent vehicle from rolling. Remove hubcap.

10. Step Six Loosen BUT DO NOT REMOVE the lug nuts by using the lug nut wrench. The nuts normally loosen in a counter-clockwise motion. Tip: If you have trouble remembering which way to turn the wrench, keep this jingle in mind: “righty tighty, lefty loosey” lug nut wrench

11. Step Seven Set the jack in the proper lift point and begin raising the vehicle by turning the jack handle clockwise. The vehicle must be jacked high enough for the inflated spare tire to clear the ground when installing. Tip: Most vehicles have two lift points on each side of the vehicle. If these are not obvious or are not marked, check the owner’s manual for the correct lift points. Lift point at rear of vehicle. Lift point on the vehicle’s side.

12. Step Eight Completely remove the lug nuts and lift the flat tire off the hub. lug nuts hub

13. Step Nine Install the spare tire and replace the lug nuts. (If the vehicle wasn’t raised high enough, it will be necessary to do so now.) Be sure the nuts go back on the same way they came off. Be sure the wheel fits completely against the hub, then hand- tighten the nuts.

14. Step Ten Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle counterclockwise, THEN fully tighten the lug nuts. Do not tighten them sequentially around the hub. Tighten them in a crisscross sequence. (The number of lug nuts will vary depending on the type of vehicle.) Hint: Do not install the hub cap/wheel cover – it will serve as a reminder that your spare tire is now a flat tire, and needs to be repaired or replaced. Tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross sequence. How? It’s easy! Assume the lug nuts are numbers on a clock. First, tighten the lug nut at 12:00. Then, tighten the lug nut at 6:00, then at 10:00, then at 4:00, then at 8:00, then at 2:00.

15. Step Eleven You may now remove the jack, stow the flat tire, and continue your journey. HOWEVER, be aware that the lug nuts are not tightened to factory specifications, and may come loose while driving. Continue slowly, and stop as soon as possible to have the lug nuts tightened by a mechanic/service center.

16. Important Points to Remember Use only the jacking equipment that came with the vehicle. Many jacks are specifically designed for a particular vehicle, and to use another may cause injury. Never get beneath the vehicle while jacking or when the vehicle is raised with a tire removed. The vehicle may slip and fall on you. Securely re-stow all equipment and the flat tire to avoid shifting while in motion. Do not start or run the engine while the vehicle is on the jack. Make sure the jack is positioned on a solid and level surface while jacking. Failure to properly position the jack on a specified lift point could cause the vehicle to fall off the jack, resulting in injury.

17. Tire Safety Tips Slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other object in the road Do not run over curbs or foreign objects in the roadway, and try not to strike the curb when parking One of the wisest precautions against flat tires is to prevent tire damage. How?

18. Tire Safety Checklist Check tire pressure regularly (at least once a month), including the spare tire Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread, cracks, foreign objects, or other signs of wear or trauma Remove bits of glass and other foreign objects wedged in the tread Make sure your tire valves have valve caps Check tire pressure before going on a long trip Don’t overload your vehicle. (Check the tire information placard or owner’s manual for the maximum recommended load for the vehicle.) If towing a trailer, remember that some of the weight of the loaded trailer is transferred to the towing vehicle. This “Tire Safety Checklist” offers guidelines for tire safety:

19. Tire Safety: Be Prepared! Look through the vehicle owner’s manual and identify where the spare tire and jacking tools are stored Make sure the spare tire is not flat, and a jack and lug nut wrench are stored in the vehicle If you plan to travel after hours, bring a flashlight (it’s difficult to change a tire in the dark) When you plan to drive a state vehicle, do these things first:

20. Conclusion Thank you for completing this safety course. Be sure to complete a class roster and give it to your training officer, so you will receive training credit. CLICK HERE TO EXIT COURSE CLICK HERE TO EXIT COURSE