Whether you feel the car pulling slightly to one side or labouring when it comes to acceleration, the underlying fact is you might have a tyre puncture so pull over and check.

                                   

Tyre punctures are a way of driving life and unfortunately the only way to fix it is to change it...

1. Park the vehicle on a flat surface. If needs be, secure the vehicle by placing a heavy brick or stone behind the back wheels. Take out the spare tyre kit (often located in the boot) and make sure you have all the necessary equipment.

2. Remove the hub caps using a wrench and the wheel cover using a screwdriver. Also loosen the lug nuts using a wrench (turn anticlockwise). Do not remove them fully, just enough that you can take them off by hand. Make sure to keep all of the parts you have removed in a safe place. You will need them later.

 

3. Jack the vehicle up using the car jack. Use the frame near the tyre you need to change. Most cars now have a ridge for the jack to protect the frame of your vehicle. The tyre needs to clear the road surface.

4. Remove the lug nuts completely. Grab the tyre and pull it towards you. Be careful as it will be heavy and you will want to avoid moving the car itself too much. If it falls off the jack it could cause serious damage to the car frame. The tyre should slide off relatively easily as long as you have removed all the necessary parts.

 

5. Replace the tyre with the spare and replace the lug nuts. Again, tighten them slightly while the car is up on the jack and then fix them firmly in place when the car is back on the ground. If the spare tyre allows it, replace the wheel cover and hubcaps.

6. Make sure everything is in place and secure before driving off. Remember that you should keep your speed to 50mph/80kph when driving on with a spare wheel and get it repaired or replaced as quickly as possible.

Check back here for weekly driving tips, with thanks to MSL Ballsbridge