Attention all women: Here’s how to change a tyre

In celebration of Women’s Month, the owner of MHK Auto Centre, Bilal Dinath gave valuable tips on how to change a tyre.

Bilal noted most of the time a tyre needs to be changed but the driver is stranded in an area where they cannot reach assistance. Therefore, he claimed it is important to have the knowledge and equipment to change a tyre on your own.

“For women, especially, it’s not always safe to be stranded in an area without help,” he said.

With this in mind, Bilal offered advice for women who want to know how to change a flat tyre.

According to him, the first thing to do is to make sure you have a jack, wheel spanner and spare tyre in your boot. He also mentioned it is important to analyse your spare tyre to make sure it has no damage.

“My father always unscrewed the locknuts with a power bar instead of a wheel spanner because it was easier to use,” he said.

When suffering a flat tyre, Bilal stated the first step is to keep the car on level ground where after you ensure that the handbrake has been pulled upwards. Try to find a solid object which can be placed in front of the tyres. This will secure the car in place.

Secondly, Bilal explained the jack needs to be placed on the jacking point closest to the tyre you will be changing. Next, he explained that the nuts of the rim should be loosened with a wheel spanner or power bar. If these steps have been taken, the vehicle is ready to be jacked up. Thereafter, the nuts can be removed and the tyre can be taken off.

Then the tyre is ready to be exchanged with the spare.

“Don’t wait for the flat to happen. Practice changing tyres at home and always keep the needed tools with you in the car,” he informed.

Bilal is offering women the opportunity to practice tyre-changing skills at his workshop. If there are any women interested in this offer, MHK Auto Centre can be contacted on 083 737 4993.