Replacing a Flat Tire

What you’ll need: A car jack, a wrench, and an inflated spare tire

What to do:

• First, set the parking brake on your car.
• Loosen, but don’t remove, the lug nuts (the bolts that keep the wheel on the car).
• Position the jack, following the guidelines in your car manual or on the jack itself; then, raise the car until the jack stops or your tire is a few inches off the ground.
• Use your wrench to remove the lug nuts. Set them aside and slide the wheel off the car.
• Now slide your spare tire onto your car and replace the lug nuts. Tighten them as much as you can.
• Lower your car back to the ground and re-tighten the nuts.

Additional tips: If you’ve put a doughnut tire on your car, you’ll need to drive slower, probably no more than 50 mph. If your flat tire seems fixable, take it to a service station; patching it costs about $20—much cheaper than buying a new tire.

If you’re a Progressive customer with Roadside Assistance, call 1-800-776-2778 for help.