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.

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Change a Tire0 of 8 steps done

Written by AI, not checked by a tradesperson. How this works

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 of 8

Pull over and secure the vehicle

Diagram for step 1: Pull over and secure the vehicle
Fig. 1Pull 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 of 8

Gather the spare and tools

Diagram for step 2: Gather the spare and tools
Fig. 2Gather 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 of 8

Loosen the lug nuts slightly

Diagram for step 3: Loosen the lug nuts slightly
Fig. 3Loosen 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 of 8

Position the jack and raise the vehicle

Diagram for step 4: Position the jack and raise the vehicle
Fig. 4Position 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 of 8

Remove the flat tire

Diagram for step 5: Remove the flat tire
Fig. 5Remove 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 of 8

Install the spare tire

Diagram for step 6: Install the spare tire
Fig. 6Install 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 of 8

Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts

Diagram for step 7: Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts
Fig. 7Lower 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 of 8

Stow equipment and follow up

Diagram for step 8: Stow equipment and follow up
Fig. 8Stow 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.

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