How to Change a Flat Tire in Kankakee, IL
Staying prepared for unforeseen events is much easier when you know how to change a flat tire. If you drive a shuttle bus or transit vehicle, it becomes even more important to know how to care for your vehicle. Learn more in this overview prepared by us at Midwest Transit Equipment.
Tools
Before you embark on your next Kankakee trip, check your Ford F-550 or E-450 for the equipment you’ll need to change a tire in the event that one goes flat. You are first going to need a spare tire, which may be located under the frame or in the cargo compartment. A jack will also be required, but make sure that the one you have is rated for the weight of your vehicle, as a traditional car jack is likely not enough for a larger model. In order to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel, you are going to need a torque wrench. Finally, we recommend bringing a portable air compressor to fill the tire with any missing air.
First Steps
Assessing the damage is the first step of changing a flat tire. If you’ve hit some debris on I-57, pull over to a safe space like a wide shoulder and examine the affected wheel. Next, take the aforementioned tools out of your vehicle and start loosening the lug nuts with the torque wrench. Before it has been fully removed, place the jack beneath the metal frame of the vehicle and begin lifting it off the ground slightly. Once it is a couple of inches from the pavement, finish taking off the lug nuts and the wheel should come off easily. Performing this task with a large passenger bus or truck can be dangerous, so call for assistance if you need help.
Install the Spare
Now that you have safely removed the flat tire, install your spare. Start by placing it over the bolts where the old one was. Then, screw the lug nuts on by hand so that it is somewhat tight. You can now carefully lower the vehicle back onto the ground. Finish tightening the lug nuts before all of the vehicle’s weight has been put on the wheel. When you do so, tighten them in an alternating pattern so that the wheel is fastened evenly. Keep in mind that spare tires only last about 50 miles, so you should postpone your trip to Perry Farm Park in favor of visiting our Service Department to get a new tire.
Tools for Changing a Flat Tire
- Weight-rated jack
- Torque wrench
- Spare tire
- Portable air compressor
Dealership Information
Testimonials
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Teamwork That Keeps Us Rolling
“ Keeping our buses running safely and on time takes a lot of teamwork - and quick, reliable service makes all the difference. When you want to do the best, you partner with the best ”
Midwest is great
“ Parts and service are always helping me out. Whether I need a replacement part for my fleet or providing a service fixing something on one of my buses. I'd recommend them. They're busy, but service is quality and everyone is always friendly. ”
Great company
“ Midwest transit is a great company! Thanks John, for your all-star team. ”
Great to do business with
“ Eric and Jason really know their bus stuff! Great to do business with! ”
Quick Fix and Great Service – Thanks Wally!
“ Had an air conditioning condenser for our bus! Thanks Wally ”
No Complaints
“ Always great in getting our bus back to our facility as quick as possible. Never had an issue or complaint with their service. ”
Exceptional Team, Start to Finish
“ Let's begin in the Receptionist department - Excellent, friendly and Great attitude. Now parts department - Friendly, Great attitude and more. Garage department - Just WOW. Blew me away with friendliness. Now let's talk service Manager - Knows his stuff, no questions. Great, friendly and Very Helpful. Now Facility Manager, I wish i knew even Half of the Stuff he does. His mind must always be going, thinking, researching and So much Experience. Just Makes me humble to be in the same Room with him. ”
Friendly staff
“ Nice friendly staff ”
Helpful
“ Very friendly and helpful! ”
Very knowledgeable
“ They know buses. They are very willing to work with you on your needs and learn about what they need to do to make the buses right for your area. They are also very helpful and understanding when something needs changed. ”
A Decade of Excellence with Midwest Transit
“ Midwest Transit has been good to me. Their staff's professionalism from bus purchases to service to parts is perfect (and I'm not easily pleased) I've never gone wrong in my 10 years of dealing with this company. Keep it great Midwest Transit! Berry N Transit Rentals, Shenise Berry ”
Staff is nice and friendly
“ I been done there 3 times I love going to there location I work for a school bus company the first time I drove a bus back to Waukegan I loved the drive the busses are great they handle easily good staff nice and friendly ”
Always Great
“ Always a great job from Tim & Ken! ”
Dave Hoffman went above and beyond
“ Dave Hoffman went up and beyond for us in a time of need. Wonderful employee. ”
Excellent bus dealership
“ Midwest transit is an excellent bus dealership. We deliver a lot of units for them and the personnel on each location is a pleasure to deal with. I have to single out Tom he went above and beyond for me today I appreciate it. ”
Reliable Service That Keeps Us Rolling
“ Another bus driver and I drove up to this business where our Buses are serviced and warranty work is done. So we drove up there to retrieve one of our Schools Buses and bring it back to Joplin to get placed back into service. This business is on top of what they do and they do a spectacular job. ”
Wonderful experience
“ Awesome people and great service! They made buying a bus a wonderful experience and went out of their way to accommodate us. The Marshall facility is top notch. They have terrific staff in all departments. I would give a shout out to the employees that provided exceptional service, but I would just be naming them all. ”
Courteous
“ They were courteous with my arrival for our company purchase ”
Efficient Service
“ Very efficient and professional. ”
“ The team does an excellent job communicating about purchase orders and parts availability. They are quick to respond, great at sourcing parts even the hard-to-find ones, and always willing to go the extra mile. I have no complaints; they are knocking it out of the park. Shoutout to John and Zach for doing a great job! ”