What you need before you start

Changing a spare tyre is a straightforward process that takes 15 to 30 minutes once you have the right tools and know the steps. You will need your car's jack, a lug wrench (the cross-shaped tool that fits your wheel nuts), your spare tyre, and wheel wedges or heavy objects to block the wheels. Most cars come with these tools in the boot; check your owner's manual to see where they are stored and whether your spare is a full-size tyre or a temporary space-saver.

Before you begin, move your car to a flat, stable surface away from traffic if possible. Turn on your hazard lights. If you are on a motorway or in an unsafe location, call roadside information rather than attempting the change yourself. Never try to change a tyre on a slope or soft ground — the car can slip off the jack and cause serious injury.

Key Takeaways

  • Always move to a flat, stable surface and turn on hazard lights before you start jacking up the car.
  • Loosen the lug nuts by a quarter turn while the car is still on the ground, then raise the car with the jack.
  • Remove the old tyre completely, fit the spare, and hand-tighten the lug nuts before lowering the car back down.
  • Once the car is on the ground, tighten the lug nuts fully in a star or cross pattern to may support even pressure.
  • Drive to a garage or tyre shop within a few days to have the damaged tyre repaired or replaced and the spare removed.

Loosen the lug nuts before raising the car

Place the lug wrench on each wheel nut and turn it counterclockwise a quarter turn — just enough to break the seal. Do not remove them completely yet. This step is crucial because once the car is in the air, the wheel will spin freely and you will not be able to loosen the nuts. Loosening them now, while the car's weight holds the wheel steady, makes the job much easier.

If the nuts are very tight, you may need to use your body weight on the wrench or ask someone to help. Some people place the wrench on the nut and step on the end of it to explore downward force. Once all five nuts (or however many your car has) are loose, you are ready to jack up the car.

Raise the car and remove the old tyre

Locate the jacking point on your car — this is a reinforced area of the chassis, usually marked by a small notch or dimple near the wheel. Consult your owner's manual if you are unsure. Place the jack under this point and raise the car until the tyre is about 15 centimetres off the ground. The car should be high enough that you can fit the spare tyre underneath, but not so high that it feels unstable.

Now remove the lug nuts completely and set them somewhere you will not lose them — a cup or small container works well. Grip the tyre with both hands and pull it straight toward you. It may take some force, especially if the tyre has been on for a long time. Once the old tyre is off, set it flat on the ground beside you.

Fit the spare tyre and hand-tighten the nuts

Align the holes on the spare tyre with the studs on the wheel hub and push the tyre onto the studs. It should slide on smoothly. Once the tyre is seated, pick up the lug nuts and thread them onto the studs by hand. Tighten them as much as you can with your fingers — they should be snug but not fully tight. This holds the tyre in place while you lower the car.

Do not use the lug wrench yet. Hand-tightening only at this stage prevents you from over-tightening and damaging the studs or the tyre. Once all the nuts are hand-tight, you are ready to lower the car back to the ground.

Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts fully

Turn the jack handle or lever to lower the car slowly until the tyre makes contact with the ground and the car's full weight is resting on it. Continue lowering until the jack is no longer supporting any weight, then remove the jack completely. Now use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts fully.

Tighten the nuts in a star or cross pattern — if you imagine the wheel as a clock face, tighten the nut at 12 o'clock, then 6 o'clock, then 3 o'clock, then 9 o'clock, then back to any remaining nut. This pattern ensures the tyre is pulled evenly onto the hub and sits flat. Tighten each nut firmly, but do not use all your strength — hand-tight plus a quarter turn is usually sufficient. Over-tightening can strip the studs or make it difficult to remove the nuts next time.

Check your spare and plan your next step

Once the spare is fitted and the lug nuts are tight, check the tyre pressure if you have a pressure gauge. Temporary space-saver tyres often need higher pressure than regular tyres — your owner's manual or a label inside the driver's door will tell you the correct pressure for your spare. If the pressure is low, find a petrol station with an air pump and inflate it before driving.

Do not drive long distances on a temporary spare tyre. These tyres are designed for short trips to a garage only, usually at speeds below 80 kilometres per hour. If you have fitted a full-size spare, you can drive normally, but you should still visit a garage within a few days to have the damaged tyre repaired or replaced. Once the original tyre is back on, remove the spare and store it properly in your boot.

What to do if something goes wrong

If the lug nuts are stuck and will not loosen, try spraying them with penetrating oil (such as WD-40) and waiting 10 to 15 minutes. If you still cannot loosen them, do not force it — call roadside information. Stripping a stud or breaking the lug wrench can make the problem much worse.

If the jack will not lift the car, check that it is positioned correctly under the jacking point and that the ground is level and firm. Never place the jack on tarmac in hot weather — it can sink. If the ground is soft, place a flat board under the jack to spread the weight. If you cannot get the car high enough, stop and call for help rather than risk the car slipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tight should the lug nuts be?

Tighten them firmly by hand using the lug wrench, but do not use maximum force. A good rule is hand-tight plus a quarter turn. If you over-tighten, you risk stripping the studs or making it impossible to remove the nuts later. Many garages use a torque wrench set to the manufacturer's specification — your owner's manual will list this figure.

Can I change a tyre in the rain?

Yes, but take extra care. Wet ground is slippery and the jack may sink into soft tarmac. Work slowly and make sure the car is stable before you get underneath or reach into the wheel area. Wear high-visibility clothing so other drivers can see you.

What if my car does not have a spare tyre?

Some newer cars come with tyre repair kits or run-flat tyres instead of spares. Check your owner's manual to see what your car is equipped with. If you have a repair kit, follow the instructions that come with it. If you have run-flat tyres, you can drive to a garage even after a puncture, but do so at reduced speed.

Do I need to balance the spare tyre?

If the spare is a temporary space-saver, balancing is not necessary — these tyres are designed for short-term use only. If you have fitted a full-size spare that has been sitting in your boot for months or years, it may be out of balance. A garage can check and balance it for you when you bring in the damaged tyre for repair.

How long can I drive on a space-saver spare?

Space-saver tyres are designed for short trips only, usually up to 100 kilometres at speeds below 80 kilometres per hour. Driving longer distances or faster speeds can damage the tyre and affect your car's handling. Get to a garage as soon as possible to have your original tyre repaired or replaced.