Change a Tire

Safely replace a flat tire with a spare by securing the vehicle, loosening the lug nuts, lifting at the correct jack point, swapping the tire, and tightening the lug nuts properly before driving.

Medium · 20–40 minutes

Tools

  • Vehicle jack
  • Lug wrench
  • Owner's manual
  • Wheel chocks

Materials

  • Spare tire

Safety

  • Park on a flat, stable surface away from traffic.
  • Turn on hazard lights if you are near a roadway.
  • Engage the parking brake and put the vehicle in park or in first gear/reverse for a manual transmission.
  • Use wheel chocks if available to prevent rolling.
  • Check the owner's manual for the correct jack points and spare tire instructions.
  • Loosen lug nuts slightly before lifting the car.
  • Lift only at the manufacturer-approved jack point.
  • Keep hands and feet clear of the underside of the vehicle.
  • Never place any part of your body under a car supported only by a jack.
  • If the vehicle feels unstable on the jack, lower it immediately and reposition.
  • Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern and torque them to specification as soon as possible.
  • If using a temporary spare, drive cautiously and follow its speed and distance limits.

Steps

  1. Step 1: Pull over and secure the vehicle

    • Move to a flat, firm area away from traffic.
    • Turn on the hazard lights.
    • Set the parking brake and shift into park, or into gear if the vehicle has a manual transmission.
    • Place wheel chocks on the opposite end of the vehicle from the flat tire if you have them.

    Check: The vehicle is fully stopped on stable ground. · The car cannot roll easily. · You are positioned as far from moving traffic as possible.

  2. Step 2: Gather the spare and tools

    • Retrieve the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench from the vehicle.
    • Read the owner's manual for the correct jack point and any spare-tire-specific instructions.

    Check: You have the correct tools for your vehicle. · You know the approved jack location for the flat tire position. · The spare tire appears usable and not obviously damaged.

  3. Step 3: Loosen the lug nuts slightly

    • Remove the hubcap or wheel cover if needed to access the lug nuts.
    • Use the lug wrench to turn each lug nut counterclockwise about a quarter turn while the tire is still on the ground.
    • Do not fully remove the lug nuts yet.

    Check: Each lug nut has been loosened slightly. · The wheel is still firmly attached to the vehicle. · You did not lift the car before breaking the lug nuts loose.

  4. Step 4: Position the jack and raise the vehicle

    • Place the jack at the manufacturer-approved jack point nearest the flat tire.
    • Raise the vehicle until the flat tire is just off the ground.

    Check: The jack is contacting the correct lift point. · The vehicle feels stable as it rises. · The flat tire has enough clearance to be removed.

  5. Step 5: Remove the flat tire

    • Finish unscrewing the loosened lug nuts and set them aside where they will not roll away.
    • Pull the flat tire straight off the wheel studs.

    Check: All lug nuts are accounted for. · The flat tire has been removed cleanly. · The vehicle remains stable on the jack.

  6. Step 6: Install the spare tire

    • Align the spare tire with the wheel studs.
    • Push the spare fully onto the hub.
    • Thread the lug nuts on by hand until snug.

    Check: The spare sits flush against the hub. · All lug nuts are hand-threaded correctly and not cross-threaded. · The wheel does not wobble loosely on the studs.

  7. Step 7: Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts

    • Lower the vehicle until the spare just contacts the ground enough to keep it from spinning.
    • Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
    • Lower the vehicle fully and remove the jack.
    • Tighten the lug nuts again firmly in a star pattern.
    • Torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer's specification if you have the proper tool; otherwise have them checked as soon as possible.

    Check: The vehicle is fully back on the ground. · The jack has been removed safely. · The lug nuts are tightened evenly in a star pattern.

  8. Step 8: Stow equipment and follow up

    • Put the flat tire, jack, and tools back in the vehicle.
    • Check the spare tire pressure if possible.
    • Drive cautiously, especially if the spare is a temporary spare.
    • Repair or replace the damaged tire as soon as practical.

    Check: All tools and the flat tire are secured in the vehicle. · You understand any speed or distance limits for the spare. · You have a plan to get the damaged tire repaired promptly.

Back to search

Automotive

Change a Tire

Medium20–40 minutes

Safely replace a flat tire with a spare by securing the vehicle, loosening the lug nuts, lifting at the correct jack point, swapping the tire, and tightening the lug nuts properly before driving.

Was this guide helpful?
⚡Safety Warning
  • Park on a flat, stable surface away from traffic.
  • Turn on hazard lights if you are near a roadway.
  • Engage the parking brake and put the vehicle in park or in first gear/reverse for a manual transmission.
  • Use wheel chocks if available to prevent rolling.
  • Check the owner's manual for the correct jack points and spare tire instructions.
  • Loosen lug nuts slightly before lifting the car.
  • Lift only at the manufacturer-approved jack point.
  • Keep hands and feet clear of the underside of the vehicle.
  • Never place any part of your body under a car supported only by a jack.
  • If the vehicle feels unstable on the jack, lower it immediately and reposition.
  • Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern and torque them to specification as soon as possible.
  • If using a temporary spare, drive cautiously and follow its speed and distance limits.

Tools & Materials

  • Vehicle jack
  • Lug wrench
  • Owner's manual
  • Wheel chocks
  • Spare tire

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Pull over and secure the vehicle

Diagram for step 1: Pull over and secure the vehicle
  • Move to a flat, firm area away from traffic.
  • Turn on the hazard lights.
  • Set the parking brake and shift into park, or into gear if the vehicle has a manual transmission.
  • Place wheel chocks on the opposite end of the vehicle from the flat tire if you have them.
Check

The vehicle is fully stopped on stable ground. • The car cannot roll easily. • You are positioned as far from moving traffic as possible.

Was this step clear?
Step 2

Gather the spare and tools

Diagram for step 2: Gather the spare and tools
  • Retrieve the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench from the vehicle.
  • Read the owner's manual for the correct jack point and any spare-tire-specific instructions.
Check

You have the correct tools for your vehicle. • You know the approved jack location for the flat tire position. • The spare tire appears usable and not obviously damaged.

Was this step clear?
Step 3

Loosen the lug nuts slightly

Diagram for step 3: Loosen the lug nuts slightly
  • Remove the hubcap or wheel cover if needed to access the lug nuts.
  • Use the lug wrench to turn each lug nut counterclockwise about a quarter turn while the tire is still on the ground.
  • Do not fully remove the lug nuts yet.
Check

Each lug nut has been loosened slightly. • The wheel is still firmly attached to the vehicle. • You did not lift the car before breaking the lug nuts loose.

Was this step clear?
Step 4

Position the jack and raise the vehicle

Diagram for step 4: Position the jack and raise the vehicle
  • Place the jack at the manufacturer-approved jack point nearest the flat tire.
  • Raise the vehicle until the flat tire is just off the ground.
Check

The jack is contacting the correct lift point. • The vehicle feels stable as it rises. • The flat tire has enough clearance to be removed.

Was this step clear?
Step 5

Remove the flat tire

Diagram for step 5: Remove the flat tire
  • Finish unscrewing the loosened lug nuts and set them aside where they will not roll away.
  • Pull the flat tire straight off the wheel studs.
Check

All lug nuts are accounted for. • The flat tire has been removed cleanly. • The vehicle remains stable on the jack.

Was this step clear?
Step 6

Install the spare tire

Diagram for step 6: Install the spare tire
  • Align the spare tire with the wheel studs.
  • Push the spare fully onto the hub.
  • Thread the lug nuts on by hand until snug.
Check

The spare sits flush against the hub. • All lug nuts are hand-threaded correctly and not cross-threaded. • The wheel does not wobble loosely on the studs.

Was this step clear?
Step 7

Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts

Diagram for step 7: Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts
  • Lower the vehicle until the spare just contacts the ground enough to keep it from spinning.
  • Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
  • Lower the vehicle fully and remove the jack.
  • Tighten the lug nuts again firmly in a star pattern.
  • Torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer's specification if you have the proper tool; otherwise have them checked as soon as possible.
Check

The vehicle is fully back on the ground. • The jack has been removed safely. • The lug nuts are tightened evenly in a star pattern.

Was this step clear?
Step 8

Stow equipment and follow up

Diagram for step 8: Stow equipment and follow up
  • Put the flat tire, jack, and tools back in the vehicle.
  • Check the spare tire pressure if possible.
  • Drive cautiously, especially if the spare is a temporary spare.
  • Repair or replace the damaged tire as soon as practical.
Check

All tools and the flat tire are secured in the vehicle. • You understand any speed or distance limits for the spare. • You have a plan to get the damaged tire repaired promptly.

Was this step clear?

Common Mistakes

  • ×Jacking the car at the wrong point.
  • ×Changing the tire on soft, sloped, or unstable ground.
  • ×Removing lug nuts completely before lifting the vehicle properly.
  • ×Forgetting to set the parking brake or use wheel chocks.
  • ×Cross-threading lug nuts when installing the spare.
  • ×Tightening lug nuts unevenly instead of using a star pattern.
  • ×Driving too fast or too far on a temporary spare.
  • ×Failing to recheck lug nut tightness after driving a short distance.

When to Call a Professional

  • You cannot find or confirm the correct jack point.
  • The vehicle feels unstable or shifts while on the jack.
  • A lug nut is seized, stripped, or cannot be loosened safely.
  • The spare tire is missing, damaged, or flat.
  • The wheel will not come off due to corrosion or damage.
  • You are on a narrow shoulder, heavy traffic area, steep slope, or otherwise unsafe location.
  • You are unsure about proper lug nut tightening or torque specification.

Notes

  • A temporary spare is not meant for normal long-distance driving.
  • If your vehicle uses locking lug nuts, you will need the lock key.
  • Some vehicles do not include a spare tire and may instead have an inflation kit.
  • After installing a spare, it is wise to have lug nut torque checked soon after the tire change.

Related guides

Finding related guides…

Was this guide helpful?

More in this category

View all guides in this category →