How to Properly Change a Flat Tire

Flat tires can happen at any time and place, and emergency roadside assistance may not always be available. So whether you’re a seasoned driver or a teen who’s getting behind the wheel for the first time, it’s important to know how to change a car tire.

We admit, it’s not as simple as jump-starting a car or checking fluid levels, but there’s no need to be intimidated—changing a tire really isn’t too difficult. This guide covers everything you need to know about changing a flat tire, step by step.

New cars come equipped with the basic items needed to change a tire, but over time they may be misplaced. If you bought a used car, it could be missing some, or all, of the things you need to change a tire. Check your car for these essentials and replace any items you don’t find.

• Vehicle Owners Manual
  Your vehicle owners manual may contain specific instructions for changing the tire on your make and model of vehicle. If you don’t have a vehicle owners manual, order one online.
• Jack
  A car jack lifts your car off the ground so you can change the tire. For safety reasons, always use the type of jack your owners manual recommends and never use any other object to lift or prop up your vehicle. If you need a jack, read our review of the best car jacks on the market.
• Lug Wrench
  A lug wrench has a pry bar on one end to remove the hubcap and a socket on the other end to loosen the lug nuts that hold your tire in place.
• Spare Tire
  There are two basic types of spare tires: full size and temporary (sometimes referred to as “donuts”). Larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks usually have full-size spare tires, while compact cars tend to come with temporary tires.

In addition to the essentials outlined above, there are a few things SafeWise recommends having on hand to make changing a tire easier and less dangerous. Pack these items—along with a first aid kit, bottled water, and other safety items—in a durable bag and stow them in your car. Or purchase a roadside emergency kit that contains most, or all, of these things.

• Emergency flares or reflective triangles to alert motorists to your disabled vehicle.
• Tire blocks or wedges to help prevent the car from rolling.
• Tire-changing mat or towel to kneel on.
• Lubricant to loosen tight lug nuts.
• Headlamp flashlight, with working batteries, for changing a tire in the dark.
• Tire pressure gauge to check the spare tire’s air pressure.
• Heavy duty wipes to clean up after changing the tire.
• Rain jacket or poncho to help keep dry or protect you from the sun. 

If you’re driving when you get a flat tire, slowly decrease your vehicle’s speed, turn your car’s hazard lights on, and look for a safe place to stop. If possible, pull into a parking lot with open space or find another low-traffic area.

Once stopped, put your car in park and engage the parking brake. This is another safety measure to help your car remain in place while you change the tire.

If you have flares or reflective warning triangles, set them out according to product instructions. Use extreme caution and never turn your back to oncoming traffic.

Wheel wedges help prevent your car from moving. When changing a front tire, place them behind your car’s rear tires. When you change a rear tire, place them in front of the car’s front tires.

Next, you need to remove the hubcap. This is necessary so you can get to the lug nuts that secure your tire to the car. Use the pry bar (the lug wrench’s flat end) to pop the hubcap off the tire rim.

Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts. Remember: lefty-loosey. You might need more leverage or an extra oomph of strength if the lug nuts are especially tight. Longer lug wrenches give more leverage, and sometimes you can push the lug wrench down with your foot to loosen the nut—just be careful not to loose your balance.

The best place for a jack is under the vehicle frame, next to the flat tire. For safety and to avoid damaging your car, consult your vehicle owners manual for specific instructions on where, and how, to place the jack.

Pump the jack slowly until the flat tire is off the ground. Make sure none of your or anyone else’s body parts go under the car while you’re raising it or once it’s raised. If your car moves while it’s on the jack, don’t try to stop it. Move away from your car and wait for it to fall, then try again.

With the lug nuts already loose, finish unscrewing them by hand. Put the lug nuts in a safe location so they aren’t misplaced.

Pull the tire toward you to remove it from the hub, then place it on its side and out of your way. If it's being stubborn, kick it. No, really—a swift kick can loosen any rust and help you pull the tire off. If you're wearing flip flops or sandals, sit on the ground (if it's safe to do so) and put both feet on the tire and push. 

Line up the spare tire with the lug bolts and push it on the wheel hub until the bolts penetrate the rim.

Place the lug nuts on the lug bolts and tighten them down by hand. Don’t use the lug wrench to secure them yet.

Using the jack, lower your car until the spare tire touches the ground. Be careful not to lower it to the point where it bears your vehicle’s  whole weight.

Tighten down the lug nuts by turning the wrench clockwise as much as you can. It’s important to tighten the lug nuts in the correct sequence to help ensure they stay secure on the hub. The star pattern is a good rule of thumb for tightening lug nuts.

Lower your car completely and remove the jack. Tighten your wheel’s lug nuts one more time, using the same pattern as you did in the previous step.

If the hubcap you removed fits the spare tire, put it back on.

If the hubcap you removed fits the spare tire, put it back on.

Gather all the items you used and secure them in your car. Be sure to stow your owners manual, jack, and lug wrench in their proper places.

It’s dangerous to drive on a spare tire for long distances so take your flat tire to a professional auto repair shop and have it fixed or replaced as soon as possible.

Taking proper care of your car tires can’t guarantee you’ll never get a flat, but it may reduce the chance. Regular tire maintenance can also help extend the life of your tires, make your vehicle safer to drive, and improve fuel efficiency.

According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) tire maintenance checklist, there are a few easy things you can do to help keep your tires in good condition: regularly check tire air pressure, rotate tires based on your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, and have them balanced and aligned periodically.

Preventive maintenance can help keep your tires in good working order, but it’s still important to inspect them frequently. The RMA recommends setting aside five minutes every month to look for early warning signs of car tire failure: cracks in the tire sidewall, uneven tread wear, excessively worn-down tread, and bulges. If you note any of these problems, go to an auto repair shop and have your tire repaired or replaced.

Before you or your teen hits the road again, practice changing your car’s tire in a safe location like the driveway or garage. Getting familiar with the process now will make you better prepared to change a tire under less ideal conditions. We suggest keeping this guide in your car’s glove compartment, and reviewing it every now and then to brush-up on how to change a tire.

For any other vehicle-related questions, visit our Car Safety Guide to find auto safety checklists and educational opportunities.

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