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Changing a Wheel

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It's cold, it's dark, you're late and it's raining. Punctures always seem to pick the worst moment to happen. If your car gets one and you're away from home on the move, the first priority is to get it - and you - to a safe place.

Drive slowly, at no more than 5mph, on the punctured tyre until you are out of danger. On the motorway, this will be the hard shoulder, though you should not attempt to change a tyre on the hard shoulder as this can be dangerous - instead, walk to the nearest emergency telephone to call for help. On a busy A-road, select a lay-by, another parking place or a side turning. Wherever you choose must be a level surface and, preferably, well lit.

Difficulty rating: beginner

Time to allow: 30min

Tools/ materials needed: wheel brace, jack, clean rag, torch (if dark), warning triangle, breakdown kit.

Having moved the car to a safe spot (see above), switch on the hazard warning lights, turn off the engine and apply the handbrake. If the transmission is manual, select reverse gear; if it's an auto, select 'park'. If you carry an emergency warning triangle, place this a fair distance behind the car - 50m if possible.

1) Get all passengers out of the car and safely away from the road. Remove luggage from boot if heavy or if it's obstructing access to the spare wheel and tools.

2) Check that the spare tyre feels adequately inflated and that the jack and wheel brace are present and serviceable. Remove spare and tools from car. Consult vehicle handbook (if available) for detailed instructions.

3) Remove plastic wheel cover (if fitted). Prise this off using the end of the wheel brace if necessary. Then, using the brace, loosen the nuts on the wheel you intend to change by half a turn. If they are stiff, use your body weight on brace to shift them.

4) Use the jack to raise the wheel, first consulting the handbook to find the correct lifting point on the car that's nearest the wheel you are replacing. Do not jack using any other point - it may collapse and seriously damage the bodywork.
Once the car body is raised sufficiently (but before the wheel you are raising is off the ground) push the spare wheel under the body. This will act as a safety cushion should the car slip off the jack.

5) Keep raising the car. Once the wheel is just clear of the road, unscrew the nuts in diagonal pairs and remove. Place together in a hat, pocket or drinking cup so they are not lost.

6) Remove wheel. Take care, though, because it will be heavy and dirty. Place the wheel flat under the raised sill of the car as an extra back-up in case the jack should slip. Warning: a car can easily slip off the jack, even on a level surface. Never get under the vehicle while only the jack supports it.

7) Fit the spare. Ensure it is the correct way round. Fit wheel nuts in diagonal pairs and turn until finger-tight.
Using the jack, lower the car until the tyre of the replaced wheel just touches the road. Then, using the wheel brace, lightly tighten the wheel nuts. Remove the punctured wheel from under car. Finish lowering the vehicle and remove jack. Fully tighten wheel nuts. Put your tools and damaged wheel in boot. If the wheel had a plastic cover, refit it.

If the spare is of a 'space saver' type you should not exceed 50mph while fitted, and you should also replace it with a full-size wheel and tyre as soon as possible. If the spare is full-size, you can leave it on the car but you should still have the punctured tyre repaired or replaced as soon as possible.