How to Change a Flat Tire

Difficulty: Beginner Time: 20–40 minutes

Knowing how to change a flat tire can save you a long wait for roadside help. With the spare, jack and lug wrench that came with your car, it usually takes 20–30 minutes.

Safety matters more than speed. Get well away from traffic before you start, and never put any part of your body under a car held up only by a jack.

What you'll need

Step by step

1. 1

   Get to a safe spot

   Slow down and pull onto a flat, firm surface as far from traffic as possible, like a parking lot or side street. Turn on your hazard lights, put the car in Park and set the parking brake.

2. 2

   Block a wheel

   Put wheel wedges, or a heavy object, against the tire diagonally opposite the flat so the car can't roll.

3. 3

   Get out the spare and tools

   The spare, jack and lug wrench are usually under the trunk floor or under the vehicle. Check the spare has air before you start.

4. 4

   Loosen the lug nuts before lifting

   Remove the hubcap if there is one. With the tire still on the ground, turn each lug nut counterclockwise about half a turn. Don't remove them yet. If they are tight, push down on the wrench with your foot.

5. 5

   Place the jack at the jacking point

   Your owner's manual shows the correct lifting point, usually a reinforced spot on the metal edge under the door near the flat tire. Using the wrong spot can damage the car or let it slip.

6. 6

   Raise the car

   Raise the jack until the flat tire is about 2–3 inches off the ground. Keep your body out from under the car.

7. 7

   Remove the lug nuts and the flat

   Finish unscrewing the lug nuts and keep them together. Pull the flat tire straight toward you and lay it flat so it can't roll away.

8. 8

   Put on the spare

   Line the holes up with the wheel studs and push the spare on. Screw the lug nuts on by hand, then snug them with the wrench in a star (crisscross) pattern.

9. 9

   Lower the car and tighten fully

   Lower the jack until the tire is on the ground. Now tighten each lug nut firmly, again in a star pattern, so the wheel seats evenly.

10. 10

    Pack up and check pressure

    Put the flat tire and tools away. Check the spare's air pressure as soon as you can. The correct pressure is printed on the spare or on the sticker inside the driver's door.

Tips

• Most compact spares ("donuts") are only for short distances at reduced speed, often 50 mph or less. Check the label on the spare and get your tire repaired or replaced soon.
• Have the lug nuts re-tightened to the correct torque at a tire shop after driving a short distance.
• Many flats from a nail or screw in the tread can be patched cheaply. A tire with damage in the sidewall usually must be replaced.
• Some newer cars have no spare, just a tire inflator kit. Check your trunk before you need it.

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Frequently asked questions

How far can I drive on a spare tire?

A compact "donut" spare is usually meant for short distances at 50 mph or less. Check the label on the spare. A full-size matching spare can be driven normally.

Which way do I turn the lug nuts?

Counterclockwise to loosen ("lefty loosey") and clockwise to tighten. Loosen them a little while the tire is on the ground, before you jack the car up.

Where do I put the jack?

At the jacking point shown in your owner's manual, usually a reinforced spot on the metal edge under the door near the flat. Never jack on plastic trim or the suspension.

Can my flat tire be repaired?

Often, if the hole is a small puncture in the tread. Damage to the sidewall, or driving a long way on the flat, usually means the tire must be replaced.

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