Knowing how to change a flat tire can save you a lot of stress and anxiety if you’re stranded somewhere and aren’t able to call for help right away. Sometimes, you may have to change your own tire; although, you should not attempt this if you have any concerns about your ability to do so and/or the safety of the roadside conditions.
Here’s everything you need to know on how to put on a spare tire.
How to change a flat tire: A step-by-step guide
1. Pull over
2. Prepare your area
Grab the scissor jack, jack handle, tire iron, and spare wheel from your car. Usually, these will be stowed underneath the floor of your trunk. If applicable, grab the wheel lock key. This will be typically located in the glove box or trunk.
3. Engage your parking or emergency brake
This could be a handle in the center console of your car, a pedal in the foot well, or an electronic switch. Do not forget to engage the parking brake!
4. Loosen the wheel
If your wheels have clip-on hub caps, pry them off with the tire iron. Then take the tire iron and loosen the lug nuts holding your wheel with the flat tire. Do not completely remove the lug nuts just yet. If your car has a wheel lock, use the wheel lock key with your tire iron to loosen the security lug nut.
5. Find the jack point
Consult your owner’s manual for the proper point to jack up the car on the side with the flat tire. If you use the wrong point, you may damage the frame of your car.
6. Lift the car
Take the scissor jack and place it under the jack point with the slotted bolt head away from the car. Attach the jack handle to the slot and slowly crank it clockwise. Make sure the jack is securely holding onto the jack point and is level on the ground as you turn. Lift the car until the wheel you need to change is just off the ground.
7. Remove the flat wheel
Take your tire iron again and fully remove all the lug nuts holding your wheel. Keep the lug nuts in a safe spot. Remove the wheel with the flat tire by pulling it out while lifting it slightly up, as the threads of the lugs may give some resistance. Lay the wheel flat on the ground, away from the road.
8. Attach the spare
Take your spare tire and put it on the car. Ensure the spare wheel is seated all the way to the rotor. Put the lug nuts back on and screw them in as far as you can with your hand. Then, use the tire iron to lightly tighten them. Don’t tighten them all the way while the car is lifted.
9. Lower the car
Turn the jack handle slowly counterclockwise to lower the car, until the tires are resting on the ground.
10. Tighten lug nuts
Finish tightening the lug nuts with the tire iron. Gradually tighten each lug nut in a star pattern and repeat until they’re as tight as you can make them.
11. Clean up
Put the jack back into your car along with your tire iron, jack handle, wheel lock, and the wheel with the flat tire.
12. Bring your car to a tire shop
Go to a trusted mechanic’s shop to replace the flat as soon as possible.
A space-saver tire, known as a donut, is meant to get you to a safe location and no further. It can be unsafe to drive on a donut for extended distances or at highway speed. A donut spare is typically smaller, has less grip and lower durability than a full-size wheel. Prolonged use of a temporary spare tire may damage your car’s suspension or transmission.
No matter what kind of spare you use, the lug nuts should be tightened to factory specification. Have a technician check the torque on any tire you’ve replaced.
When should you call roadside assistance instead?
Changing a flat tire on the side of the road can be dangerous, especially if traffic, weather or road conditions make it unsafe. If you are not confident changing a flat tire yourself or have any concerns about the safety of the roadside conditions, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and call for roadside assistance. You can also notify law enforcement in these circumstances.
You should also call a tire-changing service or roadside assistance through your motor club or insurance provider if you are missing the necessary tools, it is raining or snowing, your vehicle is in an unsafe location, or the wheel or tire appears to be damaged.
What should you do before changing a flat tire?
Before changing a flat tire, move your vehicle to the safest location possible. Pull over to a flat, level surface away from traffic, such as a parking lot or driveway, if you can safely do so. If you must stop on the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights and pull over as far away from moving traffic as possible. If you have any concerns about your ability to safely change your tire on the side of the road, be sure to notify law enforcement. Before replacing the flat tire with your spare tire, make sure you have all the necessary tools and equipment to complete the job safely.
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This site and articles contained herein are provided for general informational purposes only and are not a substitute or intended as professional advice. Please be sure to refer to your owner’s manual or consult a mechanic for information specific to your vehicle. The information contained on this site and articles contained herein are provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness and without any warranties of any kind whatsoever, express or implied. Plymouth Rock assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of this site and articles contained herein. Any action taken upon this information is strictly at your own risk and Plymouth Rock will not be liable for any losses or damages in connection with your use of this site and articles.