Tire blowouts and punctures: It will happen to all of us at some point. The key is knowing what to do when the situation arises. All vehicle owners should learn how to properly change a tire in the event of a flat tire when help is far away.

The first step in making sure you can properly change a tire is to have the right tools in your trunk. Every vehicle must have a jack, a crowbar, and a spare tire in the trunk. Without these, it is impossible for you to replace a tire and be on your way. Be sure to check out the jack and iron bar and test their function beforehand so you know how to use them when you get a flat tire. You may want to purchase a larger tire iron than the one that came with your car that can give you leverage and allow you to exert more force when trying to unscrew the tire studs. Periodically inspect your spare tire to make sure it is properly inflated.

You may also need to carry a brick or plank of wood in the trunk, especially if you do a lot of winter driving. You can use these items to place under your vehicle’s tires for traction and to prevent skidding in the snow.

Other items that are often overlooked are a blanket and work gloves. A blanket and a pair of gloves can help keep you clean while you kneel on the ground and change a tire. You certainly wouldn’t want to show up at a wedding or other important function littered with roadside dirt and grease.

If you get a flat or blown tire while driving, calmly pull over to the shoulder and stop far enough away to keep a safe distance from passing cars. Retrieve the tire changing items from your trunk, including the jack, iron bar, and spare tire.

Put the jack in the right place under your car. Most cars have notches etched into the bottom of the frame that let you know where to put the jack. Using the jack on these notches will help ensure that your car does not shift or become damaged due to uneven weight distribution. You may want to use your blanket to lay on while you check where the notches are.

If your tire has a hubcap, remove it and place it upside down next to you. Use the wedge-shaped edge of the iron bar to pull it out if necessary. Then use the iron bar to remove the lug nuts holding the flat tire in place. Again, this can be difficult, but if you have a long tube attached to the iron bar, you can pry it up. Continue working until all nuts are removed. Put the nuts inside the hubcap so you don’t lose them.

Now that the lug nuts are removed, remove the tire from the wheel base by pulling it towards you. Put the flat in your trunk and get it out of the way. Then put the spare tire on the wheel and screw the lug nuts back in place. Make sure they are as tight as possible, using the iron bar to screw them down.

Lower the jack and put all the items, including the hubcap and the brick or wood plank (if needed), back in the trunk. You can continue on your way with the spare tire properly installed. However, spare tires are typically only rated for speeds up to 55 mph for a short period of time, so be sure to replace a new tire as soon as possible.

In the meantime, knowing how to properly change a flat tire will get you on your way quickly when the situation arises. Make sure you have all your tire changing supplies in your trunk before any trip and you won’t need the help of a fellow motorist or a tow truck.