How to Properly Change a Flat Tire

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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.

Items needed to change a car tire

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.

Things that make changing a flat tire easier and safer

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.

How to change a car tire step by step

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.

Step 1: Set parking brake

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.

Step 2: Put out warning devices

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.

Step 3: Place wheel wedges

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.

Step 4: Remove hubcap

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.

Step 5: Loosen lug nuts

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.

Step 6: Position jack under your car

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.

Step 7: Lift vehicle using 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.

Step 8: Completely unscrew lug nuts 

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

Step 9: Remove flat tire

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. 

Step 10: Mount spare tire

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

Step 11: Replace lug nuts

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

Step 12: Slightly lower vehicle

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.

Step 13: Tighten lug nuts with wrench

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.

Step 14: Finish lowering vehicle

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.

Step 15: Put hubcap back on

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

Step 16: Check tire pressure

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

Step 17: Return all equipment and supplies to your vehicle

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.

Step 18: Get your flat tire fixed

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.

Tire maintenance tips to help avoid a flat

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.

Signs you might get a flat

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.

SafeWise wants you to keep in mind that changing a tire can be dangerous. If you get a flat in an especially unsafe location, like a busy highway, and you can’t get your vehicle to a safer place, put your car’s hazard lights on and call the police for help. They can help block or divert traffic while you or your roadside assistance provider change the tire.


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Alexia Chianis
Written by
Wanderlust junky and mom of two, Alexia is a former police officer and U.S. Army Captain who draws on her experiences to write about a myriad of safety topics.

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