10 Easy Steps to Change a Flat Tire Safely on South African Roads

According to a 2018 report from the South African Automobile Association (AA), the leading cause of flat tires in South Africa is puncture damage caused by potholes and sharp objects on the road.

Poor road conditions are the main reason for this, as potholes can cause tires to puncture and sharp objects can cause them to deflate. Unfortunately, due to a lack of proper maintenance, South Africa’s roads have become increasingly dangerous, resulting in a high number of flat tires.

To change a flat tire, you will need a few basic tools. These include a spare tire, a tire iron or lug wrench, a jack, and a tire pressure gauge. You may also want to have a flashlight or a headlamp handy in case you need to work in the dark. Additionally, you will need a flat surface to work on, such as a piece of plywood, and a wheel chock to keep the car in place while it is jacked up.

Your most important tools are the tire iron and a jack, as these are the two that most people seem to have missing when they get stranded on South Africa’s “not so safe” roads.

Hydraulic jacks have been used since ancient times to lift heavy objects. The earliest known examples date back to the Ancient Roman Empire, where they were used to lift heavy stone blocks. In the 1700s, hydraulic jacks were developed to lift large cannons, and later, in the 1800s, they were used in the industrial revolution to lift and move heavy machinery. Today, hydraulic jacks are widely used in many different industries, from automotive repair to construction.

That being said:

Here are 10 Easy Steps to Change a Flat Tire Safely Beside the Road:

Pull your car over to a safe location away from traffic. Put your hazard lights on and set up flares on the side of the road if you have them.
Gather the necessary equipment: a jack, lug wrench, spare tire, flashlight, and reflective vest.
Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Use the lug wrench to turn the lug nuts counterclockwise. Don’t remove them yet, just loosen them.
Place the jack under the car near the flat tire, then jack the car up high enough so that you can take off the lug nuts and remove the flat tire.
Take off the lug nuts one at a time, then pull the flat tire off the car.
Place the spare tire onto the car, lining up the holes in the center of the tire with the bolts on the car.
Replace the lug nuts, tightening them by hand.
Lower the car back down until the tire is touching the ground, then finish tightening the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
Double check that all of the lug nuts are properly tightened, then lower the car the rest of the way so the tire is firmly on the ground.
Fill the tire with air and use a tire pressure gauge to make sure the pressure is correct. Make sure to store the flat tire, lug wrench, and jack safely in the car.

If you haven’t checked your tire kit in a while, why not set 5 minutes apart today and make sure you have all the goodies for a safe journey on South Africa’s roads.

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