Advice From Your Ford Dealer: How To Change a Tire Like a Pro

December 29, 2023 · 3 min read

A flat can be very inconvenient, especially if it happens far from home. Fortunately, it's a problem that can be easily fixed, and you'll be on your way again in no time. As your Ford dealer, we'd like to tell you how to change a tire like a pro.

Park Safely

Changing a tire takes a lot of attention, so you must choose a safe place to change the tire. You'll need a relatively flat area that's as far from other moving vehicles as possible. Sometimes you might not be lucky, and you have to change a tire on the side of the road. In these circumstances, open your hood, switch on your indicator lights, and position any warning signs you have behind your car so other drivers can see you're stationary.

Gather Your Tools

Changing a tire requires only a few tools, and they will usually be located in your trunk. You'll need the spare, a jack, and a lug wrench or tire iron. If you're not sure where they are, your car manual will give their location. We recommend purchasing these as soon as possible for any future mishaps if your vehicle does not already come equipped with these tools. If you currently have a flat tire and do not have a spare and/or the necessary tools, call your warranty or insurance provider's Emergency Roadside Assistance or contact a towing service company that offers tire repair in your area.

Loosen the Tire

Use the lug wrench or tire iron to loosen the lugs on the flat tire. You may need to use force to turn them, as they must be extremely tight to keep your tire in place. Don't completely remove the lugs. Loosen them enough so they can easily be turned by hand.

Jack Your Ford

Take a look underneath your Ford for a flat metal area. There are several areas like these underneath your car, and they're designed as a reinforced position for placing a jack. You can also find the location of these areas marked in your car manual. Once you've found a suitable position, place the jack and use it to lift your car off the ground until the flat touches the ground.

Replace the Tire

Unscrew the lugs, remove the flat, and then position the new tire over the lug holes. Once the holes on the tire line up with the lug holes, screw the lugs into position and tighten them by hand.

Lower Your Car

It's now time to lower your car. Once all four tires are on the ground, use the lug wrench or tire iron to tighten the lugs on the replacement tire as securely as possible.

Time To Leave

Once the spare is securely in place, pack the flat, jack, and lug wrench back in their positions, and you're ready to drive away.

Now you know how to change a flat! Once you're back on the road, visit our service department at Bommarito Automotive Group so we can check your tire lugs are securely in place. We can also supply you with a replacement tire if necessary.

Jan 19, 2024 in Bommarito Automotive Group Service

Essential Services: The Importance of Regular Car Maintenance

Image via Shutterstock As a car owner, you know how much time you spend in your car, whether running errands or commuting to work. That's why it's of the utmost importance to maintain it properly. Our dealership offers expert car maintenance services by certified technicians to ensure that your vehicle remains reliable, fuel-efficient, and safe for many years. more Essential Services: The Importance of Regular Car Maintenance at Your Dealership Performance Scheduled maintenance, such as fluid corrections and oil changes, ensures the proper lubrication of the moving components, improving your vehicle's overall performance. Our certified technicians conduct comprehensive inspections of your car's systems and components during each maintenance service to ensure that everything functions correctly and your vehicle is in top-running condition. Reliability Regularly servicing your car according to the manufacturer's recommendations and following the prescribed maintenance intervals can keep your vehicle's systems in excellent working order. The technician will inspect your car's systems and components to check everything is in proper working order and promptly detect and resolve any issues before they escalate into major problems. Keeping track of your vehicle's maintenance services will ensure you enjoy peace of mind that your car will always get you and your passengers wherever you want to go. Longevity Conducting regular fluid level checks and battery inspections and allowing certified technicians to perform maintenance services according to the recommended schedule is essential. Taking good care of your car means it will serve you well for many years. Safety A certified technician will detect potential safety issues and perform the necessary repairs before they become hazards that could lead to a road accident. Fuel Efficiency When your vehicle's systems and components are well-maintained and lubricated, your car will burn less fuel. To ensure fuel efficiency, schedule regular oil changes and air filter replacements and change the spark plugs at the recommended mileage intervals. By keeping your engine well-tuned, you can significantly reduce the amount of fuel your car consumes. Reduced Repair Costs Regular vehicle inspections allow certified technicians to address existing issues and anticipate potential problems before they become more severe and become costly repairs and replacements. This proactive approach can help you save a considerable amount of money in the long run. Warranty Protection Following the service schedule, the manufacturer recommends if your vehicle is still under warranty. Ensure certified technicians always maintain your vehicle at an authorized service center, not void the warranty. Higher Resale Value Keeping up with your car's maintenance intervals and ensuring the service records are always up-to-date will increase your vehicle's resale value, ensuring you get more money if you decide to sell your car. Prevention is better than cure, and maintenance costs are lower than unexpected repairs. Contact Bommarito Automotive Group in Ellisville, MO, today to schedule a maintenance service, and our certified technicians will ensure your vehicle is in tip-top condition.

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