How To Change a Flat Tire on Your Volkswagen

Your Volkswagen’s tires are put through their paces each time you take to the road. Keeping your tires inflated at the proper level is an essential maintenance task for every vehicle owner, but what do you do if your vehicle gets a flat tire? While changing a flat may seem daunting, you can safely do the job with some knowledge and the right tools. By learning how to change a flat tire on your Volkswagen, you can get your Volkswagen back on the road.

Essential Tools for Changing a Tire

Having the right tools to change a car tire is essential. The following tools are the ones you’ll want to ensure are always in your vehicle.

Spare Tire

Make sure your Volkswagen has a spare tire. Carrying a spare will give you peace of mind whenever you get behind the wheel.

Tire Jack

A tire jack allows you to elevate your vehicle to change a flat tire. The tire jack lifts the wheel off the ground. You operate the jack by placing it beneath exposed metal under the vehicle. Follow the tire jack manufacturer’s instructions for raising the vehicle using the jack. Lifting your vehicle in the wrong location could damage it.

Wheel Bolt Wrench

The wheel bolt wrench, included in the Volkswagen tool kit, allows you to remove the wheel bolts to change and replace your Volkswagen’s flat tire.

What’s in the Volkswagen Tool Kit?

The Volkswagen tool kit includes specific items designed for Volkswagen-manufactured vehicles. All the tools in the kit will help you to remove a flat tire and replace it with a spare tire.

You’ll find the tool kit for changing flat tires mounted to the underside of your Volkswagen’s spare tire. The tools inside the kit include the following:

• Tire jack.
• Jack lever.
• Wheel bolt wrench.
• Rubber valve stem and cap.
• Hard foam tool case.

The wheel bolt wrench is one of the most essential tools in the tool kit, and you won’t be able to change a flat tire without it. Volkswagen designs its wheels with wheel bolts instead of the lug nuts you’ll find on vehicles that other car manufacturers produce.

Detailed Guide to Changing Your Tire

You can do a DIY tire change on a Volkswagen. Follow these step-by-step Volkswagen flat-tire instructions to help you do the job:

1. Bring the vehicle off the road to a safe location.
2. Turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights, set out safety signals behind and in front of the vehicle, and turn on the parking brake.
3. Apply wheel wedges. If you’re changing a rear tire, place the wedges in front of the front tires. Place the wedges behind the rear tires if you’re changing a front tire.
4. Place the tire jack underneath the vehicle’s frame, and insert a small piece of wood measuring 2 by 6 inches beneath the jack to keep it from settling.
5. Carefully follow the directions in the tire jack owners manual to lift the vehicle safely.
6. Unscrew the wheel bolts that hold your vehicle’s tires to threaded holes in the wheel’s hub, brake drum, or brake disc. Remove the hubcap.
7. Remove the flat tire by grasping the tire’s treads and pulling the tire toward you. Set the flat tire on its side to keep the tire from rolling away.
8. Mount the spare tire on the wheel bolts.
9. Tighten all the wheel bolts using the appropriate tool.
10. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
11. Replace the hubcap. If you can’t get the hubcap back onto the wheel correctly, stow it with the flat tire.
12. Check the tire pressure of the spare tire using a pressure gauge to ensure the spare has the correct amount of air.
13. Put your tools back into your tool kit.
14. Drive your vehicle to Volkswagen of Marion for a tire replacement. Do not operate a vehicle with a spare tire at high rates of speed or use the spare for an extended period of driving.

Safety Tips for Changing Tires on the Roadside

When changing your Volkswagen’s flat tire on the roadside, put safety first. The following safety tips for changing a tire will help you do the job safely:

• Make sure you have enough space on a level, straight stretch of road with a wide shoulder to change the tire.
• Activate your vehicle’s hazard lights so that you and your vehicle are more visible to all drivers.
• Set the parking brake to keep your vehicle stationary on the roadside, even if your vehicle is on level ground.
• Wear reflective clothing to make yourself more visible to others.
• Place safety signs in front of and behind your vehicle.
• Never place any part of your body under the vehicle’s frame when changing a tire.

How To Avoid Future Flats

Some causes of flat tires are unavoidable, such as driving over a nail you can’t see in a parking lot. However, you can mitigate the risk of getting a flat tire by performing some basic tire maintenance practices. For example, regularly checking the tire pressure, inspecting your vehicle’s tires for signs of wear and tear, and rotating the tires according to Volkswagen’s specifications can help to ensure your vehicle’s tires remain in peak condition.

If you frequently encounter problems with flat tires on your vehicle, consider scheduling a tire repair or replacement. By visiting our dealership for your Volkswagen Recommended Tire needs, you can select the correct set for your vehicle.

Stay Safe and Keep Rolling With Volkswagen of Marion in Illinois

Be prepared for the unexpected in your travels and stay safe by regularly maintaining your vehicle’s tires. Knowing how to change a flat tire on your Volkswagen will help you stay calm and complete the job safely. Make sure your Volkswagen’s tires are in excellent condition by scheduling a service appointment with Volkswagen of Marion online or by calling 618-249-3834. Contact us for help with your tire needs and get answers to your tire questions.

Flat tire, Breakdown, Tire service image by stux is licensed with Pixabay Content License