If you don’t have them, pieces of wood or rocks can suffice in a pinch.īesides a spare, the only equipment you absolutely need is a lug wrench (typically X-shaped) and a jack (a scissor jack is typically provided). If you have wheel chocks, placing them under the tires on the opposite side of the side you’re working on will ensure the car doesn’t roll away (for example, if you lose a front tire, place the wheel chocks on the rear tires). Turn on your hazards and make sure you have the necessary equipment. Once you’re stopped, you’ll want to make sure you’re stopped on even ground, preferably a paved road.
Your impulse might be to stop the car immediately, but it’s more important to first move completely out of the way of oncoming motorists. The very first thing you want to do is slowly drive somewhere safe. Whether you forgot to properly inflate your tires or you rolled over something, having your tire suddenly go flat while driving can be a terrifying experience. If you’re driving on a compact spare, drive slowly.Hand tighten the lugs beforelowering the car.Find the correct spot for the jack and lift the car.Loosen the lugs with the wrench beforelifting the car.Find your spare, jack and wrench under the trunk mat.Stop on even ground that’s safely away from traffic.If you’re reading this by the side of the road, here are the basics:
Read on for a detailed guide on how to change a flat tire. One of the most common roadside issues is a flat tire, and it’s one that you can tackle yourself. Even if you don’t fancy yourself as particularly handy, some common roadside issues can be addressed using the equipment you have in your car. But there’s actually a lot you can do on your own, without needing to call for the calvary. Electric bike pumps are a good option for bicyclists too, and many attach right onto the bike frames, working quickly and requiring less effort.If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SPY.com may receive an affiliate commission.Ī AAA membership can buy you peace of mind if you’re ever stranded while driving, and one of their handy mobile mechanics can help quickly get you going.
If you choose a floor pump, ensure the base is wide and sturdy otherwise, it could fall over. You can also use well-made floor bike pumps to inflate other tires and things like inflatable pool toys.
Many people inflate bike tires by how full they feel but you may feel more comfortable getting a hard number. Tires have different inflation ratings, so you’ll want to know what yours is before using a pump, and then keep an eye on the gauge. It should attach easily to either kind of valve without making you have to work too much, so look for ones that adjust automatically. The two most common bike tire valve types are Presta and Schrader, so you’ll want a pump that works with both. It’s good to have a maximum of 160 pounds per square inch for floor pumps.
Smaller, handheld manual bike pumps usually can’t perform like this and must be pumped more. Some pumps also have pressure gauges, which show the tire’s air pressure as you use them.įloor bike tire pumps, meanwhile, have bases that sit on the floor and can deliver highly compressed air. This airflow starts the compression process, and when the pump’s internal air pressure gets higher than the tire’s inter pressure, the pump’s outlet valve opens, and the air gets forced into the tire. The internal air pressure gets lower than the external air pressure, causing the pump to suck in air from the outside into the cylinder through a suction valve. It has a piston inside that moves up and down as you work the handle, it creates a vacuum inside the pump’s cylinder.
A manual bicycle pump is a pretty fascinating little machine.