Flat tires can happen to the best of us and often at the most inconvenient times and places. If you drive a car, it’s a good idea to know how to change a tire, so you can get back on the road quickly.
While it might seem daunting at first, the process is straightforward with the right tools and a little know-how.
Here's everything you need to get the job done and a step-by-step guide to follow.
What You Need to Change a Tire
Before you begin, gather the necessary tools. Hopefully, you’re reading this in advance of when you actually need it, but if not, look through your car to see what you can find. Most vehicles come equipped with basic tire-changing tools, but it's essential to make sure you have everything, or consider upgrading if needed. Here’s what you need:
- Spare tire: You will usually find the spare tire in the recessed area in the floorboard of the trunk. Make sure your spare tire is inflated and in good condition. It’s best to check it periodically. The spare tire is usually not a full-sized tire, but a donut tire which you can only safely drive about 50 miles on. Some cars will have a full-sized spare attached to the trunk. Check your car’s owner manual for the location and type of spare tire available.
- Car jack: This tool raises your vehicle off the ground, allowing you to remove the flat tire and install the spare. Most new cars come with a jack located in the same location the spare is stored; however, some models don’t in order to save weight and increase fuel economy. Again, consult your owners manual to make sure yours exists.
- Lug wrench: A wrench used to loosen and tighten the lug nuts that hold the wheel in place. A four-way lug wrench or a torque wrench is ideal. Like the jack and spare, many cars do come with this, but not all.
- Owner’s manual: If you haven’t already located your owner’s manual (usually in the glove compartment) to reference any of the above, now is a good time to find it. This will provide car-specific instructions, such as the best placement for the jack.
- Wheel wedges or blocks: Optional, but help prevent the car from rolling while you're working on it.
- Gloves: Optional, but they can protect your hands and provide a better grip.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Changing a Tire
Okay, you’ve gathered your materials. Now is the time to change that flat and get rolling. Here’s what you do.
- Find a safe locationIf you're driving and get a flat, you want to pull over to a safe, level area away from traffic. Avoid soft ground or hills. A parking lot is ideal if you can make it, but at least try to pull off the road onto a wide shoulder if available. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Engage the parking brake and place wheel wedges To prevent your car from rolling, make sure the parking brake is engaged before starting the process. If you have wheel wedges, place them in front of or behind the tires that will stay on the ground. This helps stabilize the car. If you’re changing a rear tire, place the wedges in front of the front tires, and if changing a front tire, place them behind the rear tires.
- Loosen the lug nutsIf you’ve got gloves, now is a good time to put them on. Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire, but don’t remove them just yet. Turn them counterclockwise. Loosening them while the car is still on the ground will keep the wheel from spinning.
- Find the jacking pointRefer to your car’s owner’s manual for the correct jack placement. Most cars have reinforced metal frames near the wheels for this purpose and you can usually find a notch in the seam behind the front or rear wheel called a jacking point.
- Lift the car with the jackThe most common type of jack you will find in your car is a scissor jack. To use a scissor jack, you position it under the jacking point (which if you can find it, consult the owner's manual) and turn the handle clockwise to lift the car. Raise the car until the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground. Never put any part of your body under the car while it is lifted!
- Remove the lug nuts and tireOnce the car is lifted, fully unscrew the lug nuts and remove them. Set them aside in a safe place. Gently pull the flat tire off the hub and set it aside.
- Mount the spare tireAlign the spare tire with the lug bolts and push it onto the wheel hub. Once in place, screw the lug nuts back on by hand, tightening them as much as you can.
- Lower the carUse the jack by turning the handle counterclockwise to slowly lower the vehicle until the spare tire touches the ground but the car’s weight isn’t fully on the tire. At this point, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts. Tighten them in a star or crisscross pattern to ensure even distribution of pressure.
- Finish lowering the car and tighten lug nuts againOnce the car is fully on the ground, tighten the lug nuts one more time. Again, use the crisscross pattern to ensure they're secure.
- Store tools and flat tirePlace the flat tire and all your tools back in the trunk or storage area. If possible, check the pressure on your spare tire to ensure it’s safe to drive on.
- Check the spare tireSpare tires, especially space-saver types (often called “donuts”), are not meant for long-term use. Be sure to drive to a mechanic to have your flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Wrapping up
Changing a tire is a skill every driver should know. It can save you time, money and stress in an emergency situation. By keeping your tools handy, maintaining your spare and following the step-by-step process outlined here, you'll be back on the road in no time.