We know you take certain precautions when caring for your vehicle. You keep the fuel tank at a safe level. You wash it routinely. And, hopefully, you get regular oil changes and practice routine maintenance. Check-ups at our Ford dealership near Asbury Park, NJ also include tire maintenance, like rotations and wheel alignments.
However, even with all the precautions in the world, you can still encounter inconveniences like a flat tire. That’s why we stress that everyone knows how to change a tire in case the situation should arise.
Before changing a flat tire, it’s important to check your surroundings. Pull completely off the road and into a parking lot, if possible. Turn on your hazards and engage your emergency brake. Check for traffic before exiting your vehicle, too.
Depending on what type of vehicle you drive, you’ll want to retrieve your spare tire. While some Ford vehicles have a smaller spare under the floorboard of the trunk or cargo space, typically our Ford trucks have a full-size spare that’s under the bed. You also need a jack and lug wrench.
You need to start by loosening the lug nuts on your flat tire, but don’t remove them completely. Jack up your vehicle high enough so that your flat tire is completely off the ground about six inches. Then, you can remove the lug nuts completely and replace your flat with the spare tire. Reattach it with the same lug nuts.
Make sure to visit our Ford service center in Ocean, NJ as soon as you can for a tire replacement. It’s important not to drive for too long on a spare tire, as they aren’t built for long-term use. We’ll get you back on the road in no time.
