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1. First and foremost, make sure you’re in a safe, clear and level spot to change your tire. If this isn’t possible, STOP. It’s better that you pay for the tow truck than lose your life.
2. Turn on your hazard lights, put your car in Park (or first gear for manual transmissions), turn off your transmission and activate your emergency brake.
3. Locate and check your spare tire. Make sure it’s fully inflated and doesn’t show any signs of cracking or dangerous wear. Remove it and set it aside.
4. Take out your car jack and lug wrench from your car trunk and read your car’s owner’s manual with the instructions where to place the jack under your vehicle.
5. Place a wheel chock or large rock behind (if uphill) or in front (if downhill) the opposite wheel to prevent the car from rolling.
6. If your car comes with a wheel cover or hubcab, remove it with a metal object like a screwdriver or your key to expose the lugs nuts of the wheel.
7. Loosen the lug nuts of the wheel in a star pattern before lifting vehicle (counter-clockwise to loosen; clockwise to tighten).
8. Place the jack under the car (in the correct place your car’s owner’s manual instructs) and jack the car up high enough for the tire to be removed easily.
9. Remove all the lug nuts (placing them where they won’t roll away or get lost), remove the tire and set it aside.
10. Lift the spare onto the wheel studs, and make sure the air valve faces outward.
11. Replace the lug nuts. Tighten them the same way you loosened them—diagonally, in a star pattern.
12. Slowly lower the jack and remove it. Tighten the lug nuts further with the lug wrench as much as you can.
13. Drive slowly to the nearest tire shop and have the tire replaced.
    Depending on how worn your car’s other tires are, you may want to replace two tires or all four. It’s always good practice to change all tires for best balance, however. Also, have your mechanic double check the alignment or for other problems the blown tire may have caused.

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No matter if you just got your license or you’ve been driving for 40 years, everyone could use a couple reminders for good driving. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 90% of all crashes are attributed to driver error. Especially if you think you’re an experienced driver, take note of one thing you can work on the next time you get in your car.

Reduce Your Risk on the Road:

1. Cut out distractions. Anything that pulls your attention away from driving increases your risk of an accident that could be avoided. Don’t talk on your cell phone, text, eat in the car or do anything else that pulls you away from road.
2. Chill out. Pushing your vehicle around slower cars just because you’re impatient doesn’t help anyone—including yourself. And when you’re calm and in control of your car, you’re in a better position to avoid other people’s bad driving.
3. Pay attention. Keep your eyes scanning all around your car, including the traffic 20-30 seconds ahead of you. Check your mirrors often and watch out for people, animals, and bicyclists along the way.
4. Look out for yourself. Don’t assume the other car is going to let you in, stop for you or even slow for the stop sign or red light. Anticipate the worst-case scenario.
5. Be prepared to react. The best way to avoid dangers is to position your car with an escape route in mind. For example, make sure there’s an open space in the lane next to you in case a car cuts you off.
6. Keep the 3- to 4-second following rule. Your biggest chance of a car crash is ahead of you, so keeping three or four seconds stopping time between you and the car in front will reduce that chance significantly.
7. Mind the speed limits. However, posted speed limits apply to ideal conditions. Do not hesitate to go slower if conditions necessitate it, like bad weather or thick traffic.