How to Change a Flat Tire in Skowhegan, ME

Getting a flat tire is an unwelcome occurrence for any driver traveling throughout Skowhegan. But, if you know the proper procedures to take, the process will be much less stressful. To help guide you through the tire changing process, our team here at Cold Brook Mitsubishi has crafted the overview below!

Tools

Before your next cruise down U.S. Route 2, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary equipment in the event of a flat tire. First, be sure the Owner’s Manual of your Outlander, Mirage, or Eclipse Cross is stored in a place where you can easily access it, such as the glove box or center console storage compartment. Your Owner’s Manual will be able to give you specific information about jack placement, so it’s an incredibly valuable tool when it comes to tire replacements. Then, make sure you have a torque wrench, jack, and optionally a tire pressure gauge at the ready. You can also opt to include wheel wedges to keep the vehicle steady as you work on it. Once you’ve made sure that your spare tire is in good condition, you’ll be ready to embark on a safe trip to Lake George Regional Park.

Getting Started

Once you sense that something is off with one or more of your tires, pull over to a safe area as soon as you can. Open areas such as spacious parking lots would be optimal, but the side of a highway will suffice, given you are far enough away from traffic. Once you have distanced yourself from moving vehicles and pedestrians, shut the engine off, apply your parking brake, and activate your hazard lights. After loosening the nuts a bit using your torque wrench, consult your Owner’s Manual to determine jack placement. Turn the handle of the jack until your vehicle is a couple of inches off the ground, then use your wrench to remove the nuts completely. Be sure to keep them in a safe place, such as a small bag or pocket, to ensure they aren’t lost. If you have any questions about the process so far, don’t hesitate to fill out the Ask a Tech form to receive professional advice from our trained technicians.

Final Steps

Once the nuts are safely stored away, remove the flat tire from the bolts, then slide on your spare tire. First, re-insert the nuts and tighten them manually. Then, you can use your torque wrench to tighten every other bolt. Alternatively, you can tighten each bolt using a star pattern to ensure that your spare is attached as evenly as possible. Once the spare has been moderately secured, you can turn the handle once again until the vehicle touches the ground. Tighten the nuts completely, then make your way back to your residence, if possible. Spare tires only last for about 50 miles, so be sure to fill out our Order Parts form so we can provide you with a long-term replacement!

- Service Department