Whether you're driving down the streets of Midlothian or on the highway doing 75 miles per hour - getting a flat tire is never a good time but it unfortunately happens to the best of us. Some driver's sign up for AAA to feel safe about potential problems like a flat tire while others are set on doing it themselves. We understand both situations but it's our philosophy that even if you don't choose to fix it yourself that you at least know how.
Pence Kia assures you it isn't so much difficult as it is a hassle. But, before we get into the meat of how to change a flat tire, we'd like to first review how to react to it. Depending on road conditions and speed, it can be more than a little alarming.
Typically, when a car gets a flat, it will feel off balance and begin to make a funny noise. It's important to stay in control, hold the steering wheel tightly, immediately turn on your flashers and take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Once the car starts to slow enough, gently press the brake pedal. After the Kia comes to a complete standstill, put it into the appropriate gear. For automatic Kia models, this is P (or Park) position. For manual Kia models, it's first or reverse. Last but not least, if you have an emergency sign/cone, put it behind the vehicle to make your presence more prominent to other drivers and avoid a collision.
As far as actually changing a flat tire on your new Kia or used car goes...
1. Locate spare tire (loosened by turning lock bolt to the left), tools, and wedge in trunk.2. Inspect condition of spare tire, paying particularly close attention to pressure.
3. Place wedge diagonally across the front of the flat tire.
3. Use a wrench to loosen the wheel nuts. Start with any one; then move to the nut diagonally across from it. Proceed to the next and then move diagonally across, so on and so forth.
4. Position the jack to the body frame nearest the flat.
5. Secure jack.
6. Double check jack to make sure it won't slip.
7. Insert nut wrench into the jack handle and turn handle to the right until flat tire is elevated from the ground.
8. As an extra precaution, place spare tire below the car frame to act as a wedge while changing the tire.
9. Remove wheel nuts complete and take flat tire off axle.
10. Mount spare tire onto axle and hand tighten wheel nuts.
11. Lower jack by turning handle slowly to the left.
12. Tighten wheel nuts 2-3 times using nut wrench until tire is completely secure, following the same diagonal pattern used to loosen them.
Upon getting back into your car, you might notice that your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light is still on. This is normal and should shut off after you have the tire replaced at your local Kia dealership (i.e., Pence Kia located at 11901 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, VA). If it does not, be sure to notify your technician immediately.
Pence Kia hopes this has been of some help. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us online anytime. And, if you do happen to need to schedule a Kia car service appointment, remember you can always do so quickly and easily online. Otherwise, call (804) 378-3000. We'll get you in as soon as possible.