Changing a flat tire is a deceptively complicated process. Sure, it does need some know-how, but it’s essentially about a few basic components and the effort required. Unsurprisingly, it is also a process in which many mistakes are frequently made. Unfortunately, installing a car tire incorrectly can affect the fuel efficiency and overall drivability of the vehicle. To avoid those outcomes, here are some common mistakes to avoid when changing a tire:

Using incorrect jacking techniques
One needs to know precisely how to use a jack to make lifting their vehicle safe for themselves. There’s nothing wrong with not knowing how to use it. However, any mistakes made while jacking up the car may lead to injuries or damage to the vehicle. Therefore, if one does not know how to use it, calling a 24-hour roadside assistance company is advisable. The professional sent by the company will demonstrate how to lift the vehicle safely and securely change the tire as perfectly as possible.

Forgetting to tighten the nuts and bolts
A car tire, its wheel, and the spare tire contain several nuts and bolts that help to fix or remove them from the vehicle’s frame. When one fastens a spare tire to the vehicle, they need to screw the nuts and bolts tightly so that the tire stays snugly fit inside the wheel well of the car. Leaving loose lugs can cause the tire to dislodge while the car is in motion. This costs more to the car owner in repair expenses than the original issue. On the other hand, one should be careful not to tighten the lugs too much as that also leads to wheel damage.

Changing tires on an inclined road
One needs to change their car tires on level ground exclusively. A common mistake thousands of vehicle owners make is to take the jack out and lift their vehicle on an inclined road. On such roads, there is always an inherent risk of the vehicle falling off its jack and crashing on the road. This may not only break some interior panels but also cause the car’s frame to scrape on the road, resulting in severe damages and a high repair bill.

Driving the car around on a spare tire
A spare tire is a temporary solution for cars with flat tires. Trucks and SUVs tend to have a full-sized spare that can be used like a normal tire, but many cars come with compact-sized spares that offer makeshift solutions to car owners. Essentially, it is only useful to get the car from any site to a repair shop for a proper tire change. Using the spare for more extended periods will result in the car’s balance going all wrong. Ultimately, doing so will result in the car’s performance tangibly deteriorating with time.

Some other mistakes people make are storing the car jack in an unsafe spot, not engaging the parking brake while changing the tire, and replacing the flat tire with an already-busted spare.