A flat tyre can be such a nuisance and it usually happens when you really cannot afford it. In this country it is especially unsafe to have to be stationary for elongated periods on the side of a road. Remember that your car manual is always the best source for everything relating to your vehicle. Here's a quick "how-to" should you be in a situation where you have to do it yourself.

1. Park on a solid, level surface away from traffic
2. Bring out the spare wheel, jack and spanner. In cars these are usually located in the boot, under the carpet.
3. If you have a hub cap over the wheel, remove it.
4. Loosen (i.e. do not remove completely) the bolts on the wheel with the spanner in a counter-clockwise direction.
5. Jack up the car with (you guessed it!) the jack. See your car manual for specific instructions on how to go about this.
6. Remove the flat tyre by removing the bolts then set it aside.
7. Put the spare wheel in its place and fasten the bolts tightly in the correct order (criss-cross pattern for 4 bolts, star-pattern for 5 bolts)
8. Lower the car by turning the jack in an anti-clockwise direction
9. Replace the hub cap

A spare tyre is meant to be used only temporarily while you sort out a new proper tyre so avoid using it for longer than what is necessary. The speed at which you can travel is also affected by the spare tyre.

If you have anything to add to the above steps, please leave a comment so they can be factored in.

[Sources: Sowetan, What Price, Askmen.com
Photo credit: Flickr.com (Afroswede). Some rights reserved]