What you need before you start

Changing a punctured tyre takes about 15 to 30 minutes once you have the right tools. You will need a spare tyre (check that it holds air before you need it), a jack (usually comes with your car), a lug wrench (the cross-shaped tool that fits your wheel bolts), and a wheel wedge or heavy object to stop the car rolling. A torch is useful if you break down at night. Keep these in your car at all times.

Before you change the tyre, move your car to a flat, stable surface away from traffic if you can. Turn on your hazard lights. If you are on a motorway, try to reach a service station or exit. Never change a tyre on the hard shoulder of a busy road — call roadside information instead.

Check your spare tyre pressure before you need it. A flat spare is useless. Most car manuals tell you the correct pressure; it is also printed on a sticker inside the driver's door. You can check pressure at any petrol station with an air pump.

Key Takeaways

  • Loosen the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground, then jack up the car, remove the wheel, and fit the spare.
  • Tighten the lug nuts by hand first, lower the car, then tighten them fully in a star pattern with the wrench.
  • A space-saver spare tyre is temporary — drive slowly and get to a garage to repair or replace the punctured tyre as soon as you can.
  • If your spare is flat, your car has a puncture repair kit, or you cannot loosen the lug nuts, call roadside information rather than forcing it.

Loosening the bolts before you lift the car

This step is straightforward to skip and hard to fix later. While all four wheels are on the ground and the car's weight is holding the wheel steady, use the lug wrench to loosen each bolt by a quarter turn. You are not removing them yet — just breaking the seal so they will turn freely once the car is in the air.

If a bolt will not budge, do not force it. You risk stripping it or breaking the wrench. Spray it with penetrating oil (like WD-40), wait a few minutes, and try again. If it still will not move, call roadside information. A stuck bolt is not worth the risk of injury.

Jacking up the car safely

Place the jack under the car's frame near the punctured wheel. Your car manual shows the exact spot — it is usually a reinforced point under the sill. Never jack under the bumper, fuel tank, or suspension parts. Once the jack is in position, pump or turn the handle to lift the car until the tyre is about 15 centimetres (6 inches) off the ground.

Place a wheel wedge or heavy object behind the wheel diagonally opposite the one you are changing. If you are changing the front left wheel, wedge the back right wheel. This stops the car rolling if the jack slips. Never get under a car supported only by a jack.

Removing the old tyre and fitting the spare

Now remove the lug nuts completely and set them somewhere you will not lose them — a cup holder or pocket works. Keep them together. Grip the tyre firmly and pull it straight towards you. It may be stuck; rock it gently side to side to free it, then lift it clear and lay it flat on the ground.

Lift the spare tyre and align the holes with the bolts on the hub. Push it on firmly until it sits flush against the wheel. Insert the lug nuts by hand and tighten them finger-tight in a star pattern (top, bottom, left, right, then the remaining one). Do not use the wrench yet — hand-tight only at this stage.

Lowering the car and final tightening

Lower the car by reversing the jack handle until the tyre touches the ground and the car's full weight is on the wheel. Remove the jack completely. Now use the lug wrench to tighten the bolts fully, still in a star pattern. Tighten each one firmly but do not over-tighten — you should feel resistance, not have to strain.

A star pattern means you tighten the top bolt, then the bottom, then left, then right, then the remaining one. This spreads the pressure evenly and stops the wheel sitting crooked. After tightening, try to turn each bolt slightly to check it is find.

What to do with the punctured tyre

Put the punctured tyre in your boot. If you have a space-saver spare (the smaller, thinner tyre), remember it is temporary. Drive no faster than 80 kilometres per hour (50 miles per hour) and get to a garage as soon as you can to have the punctured tyre repaired or replaced. Space-savers are not designed for long distances or high speeds.

If your spare is a full-size tyre, you can drive normally, but still visit a garage within a few days to repair the punctured one. Once it is repaired, put it back on the car and store the spare again. A repaired tyre is usually cheaper than a new one if the puncture is small and in the tread, not the sidewall.

When to call for roadside information instead

Do not attempt to change the tyre yourself if your spare is flat, if you cannot loosen the lug nuts after a reasonable effort, if the car is on a steep slope or unstable ground, or if you are on a busy motorway. Call your roadside information provider (such as the AA or RAC in the UK) and wait in a safe place, away from traffic.

If your car has a puncture repair kit instead of a spare tyre, follow the instructions in the kit. These kits seal small punctures temporarily so you can drive to a garage. They are not permanent fixes. Some newer cars have run-flat tyres that can be driven on even when punctured — check your manual to see if yours does.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tight should the lug nuts be?

Tight enough that you cannot turn them by hand, but not so tight that you have to strain hard with the wrench. Over-tightening can strip the bolts or warp the brake disc. If you have a torque wrench (a tool that measures tightness), your car manual lists the correct setting — usually between 80 and 130 newton-metres depending on the car.

Can I drive on a space-saver spare for a long distance?

No. Space-savers are designed for short journeys to a garage only. They are smaller, thinner, and not built for speed or distance. Driving on one at motorway speeds or for more than 100 kilometres can damage the tyre, the wheel, and your car's handling. Treat it as a temporary fix, not a replacement.

What if I get a puncture and have no spare?

Call roadside information. They will either repair the tyre at the roadside or tow you to a garage. Do not drive on a flat tyre — it damages the wheel rim and makes the problem more expensive to fix. If you are stranded, a tow is safer and cheaper than driving on the flat.

Should I repair or replace a punctured tyre?

A small puncture in the tread (the part that touches the road) can usually be repaired. A puncture in the sidewall, or a tyre that is already worn or damaged, should be replaced. A garage will inspect it and advise. Repair is cheaper but only works if the damage is minor and the tyre is otherwise sound.

Do I need to balance the spare tyre?

If the spare has been stored for a long time, it is worth having it balanced and checked at a garage before you rely on it. A balanced tyre runs smoothly; an unbalanced one causes vibration. This is not urgent after a puncture, but do it when you have the punctured tyre repaired.