The basic steps to swap a flat tire for your spare

Changing a spare wheel means removing the flat tire from your car and putting the spare in its place. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have never done it before, and closer to 10 minutes once you know the steps. You will need a lug wrench (the cross-shaped tool that comes with most cars), a jack, and wheel wedges or heavy objects to block the wheels. The spare wheel itself is usually stored under the trunk floor, in a well behind the rear seat, or mounted on the back of the vehicle — check your owner's manual to find yours.

The core sequence is always the same: loosen the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground, raise the car with the jack, remove the lug nuts completely, take off the flat wheel, put the spare on, hand-tighten the lug nuts, lower the car, and then tighten the lug nuts firmly with the wrench. Skipping the loosening step while grounded is the most common mistake — the wheel will spin uselessly once the car is in the air, and you will waste time and energy.

Key Takeaways

  • Always loosen the lug nuts before you jack up the car, because the weight of the vehicle makes it possible to turn them; once airborne, the wheel will just spin.
  • Block the wheels with wedges, bricks, or heavy objects before jacking to prevent the car from rolling.
  • Hand-tighten the lug nuts when you first put the spare on, then tighten them firmly only after the car is back on the ground.
  • Most spare wheels are temporary and should be replaced with a full-size tire within a few days; driving long distances or at high speeds on a temporary spare can damage it.

Finding and preparing your spare wheel

The location of your spare depends on your vehicle type. Sedans and hatchbacks usually store the spare under the trunk floor in a well — you will need to remove the trunk liner or carpet to access it. Some vehicles keep the spare behind the rear seat or mounted horizontally on the inside of the trunk door. Trucks and SUVs often carry the spare on the exterior, either mounted on the back bumper or on the roof rack. Your owner's manual has a diagram showing exactly where yours is stored.

Once you locate the spare, check that it has air in it. Press your thumb against the tire — it should feel firm, not soft or squishy. If the spare is flat or nearly flat, you cannot use it, and you will need to call a towing service or roadside information instead. If the spare is good, gather the other tools you will need: the lug wrench (usually a cross-shaped metal tool that fits over the lug nuts), the jack (usually a scissor jack or bottle jack that came with the car), and wheel wedges or heavy objects like bricks or cinder blocks.

Loosening the lug nuts before jacking

Park on a flat, stable surface away from traffic if possible. Turn off the engine and engage the parking brake. Place wheel wedges or heavy objects behind the wheels that will remain on the ground — if you are changing the front right wheel, block the front left and both rear wheels. This prevents the car from rolling while it is jacked up.

Now loosen the lug nuts by a quarter turn using the lug wrench. Do not remove them completely yet — just break them loose so they will turn freely once the car is in the air. This step is critical because the full weight of the car makes it possible to turn the nuts; once the wheel is off the ground, the wheel itself will spin and you will not be able to turn the nuts at all. If you skip this step, you will have to lower the car, loosen the nuts, and jack it back up, wasting time and effort.

Jacking up the car safely

Locate the jacking point on your vehicle — this is a reinforced spot on the frame designed to support the jack. Most cars have jacking points along the rocker panel (the area between the front and rear wheels on each side). Your owner's manual shows the exact location. Never place the jack under the engine, transmission, or fuel tank, as this can cause serious damage or injury.

Position the jack directly under the jacking point and raise the car slowly until the flat wheel is about six inches off the ground. The wheel should be high enough that you can remove it and fit the spare on, but not so high that the car feels unstable. Once the car is raised, remove the lug nuts completely and set them aside in a safe place where you will not lose them — many people put them in the hubcap or a cup holder. Then grip the wheel firmly and pull it straight toward you to remove it from the hub.

Installing the spare wheel

Lift the spare wheel and align the holes with the bolts on the hub. This takes a bit of maneuvering — tilt the wheel slightly and guide it onto the bolts. Once the holes line up, push the wheel all the way onto the hub until it sits flush against the mounting surface. The wheel should not wobble or shift.

Hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star or cross pattern — if the wheel has five bolts, tighten the top one, then the bottom left, then the top right, then the bottom right, then the remaining one. This pattern ensures the wheel sits evenly. Do not use the wrench yet; hand-tightening is enough at this stage. The reason for the star pattern is that it pulls the wheel evenly toward the hub and prevents it from sitting crooked.

Lowering the car and final tightening

Lower the car slowly by turning the jack handle or using the jack's release mechanism, depending on the type of jack you have. Lower it until the wheel touches the ground and the car's full weight is back on the tire. Once the car is fully down, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts firmly in the same star pattern. Tighten each nut until it is snug — you should feel resistance, but do not over-tighten, as this can strip the bolts or make it difficult to remove the wheel later.

After tightening, stow the flat wheel, the jack, and the lug wrench back in the trunk. Remove the wheel wedges. You are now ready to drive, but remember that most spare wheels are temporary and designed only for short distances at moderate speeds. Drive to a tire shop within a few days to have the flat tire repaired or replaced with a new one.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most frequent error is trying to loosen the lug nuts after the car is already jacked up. The wheel will spin freely and you will not be able to turn the nuts. Always loosen them while the car is still on the ground and its full weight is pressing down on the wheel. Another common mistake is not blocking the wheels, which can allow the car to roll off the jack — this is dangerous and can cause injury or damage. Always use wedges or heavy objects, even if you think the ground is level.

A third mistake is over-tightening the lug nuts, which can strip the bolts and make it impossible to remove the wheel next time. Tighten them firmly until you feel resistance, then stop. If you are not sure how tight is tight enough, aim for the point where you cannot turn the wrench any further with one hand. Finally, do not forget to have the flat tire repaired or replaced soon after changing the spare — temporary spares are not meant for long-term use, and driving on one for weeks can damage the spare itself and affect your car's handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot loosen the lug nuts by hand?

If the lug wrench is not turning the nuts, try explore more downward pressure or stepping on the wrench to use your body weight. If they still will not budge, spray them with penetrating oil like WD-40 and wait 10 to 15 minutes, then try again. Do not use a hammer or pipe to extend the wrench, as this can break the wrench or strip the nuts.

Can I drive on the spare wheel for a long distance?

Most spare wheels are temporary and designed only for short trips at speeds under 50 mph. Driving long distances or at highway speeds can overheat the spare and cause it to fail. Check your owner's manual for the specific limits of your spare. Have the flat tire repaired or replaced within a few days.

What if the spare wheel is also flat?

If your spare has no air, you cannot use it. Call a roadside information service, a towing company, or a friend to take you to a tire shop. Many tire shops can repair a puncture the same day, or you can purchase a replacement tire on the spot.

Do I need to tighten the lug nuts again after driving?

Yes. After driving a few miles on the spare, pull over safely and re-tighten the lug nuts in the star pattern. The wheel may have settled slightly, and this ensures it stays find. Check them again after another 10 to 20 miles of driving.

Where should I store the flat tire after I remove it?

Place the flat tire in your trunk or the back of your vehicle. Do not leave it on the roadside. Take it with you to the tire shop when you have the puncture repaired, as the shop will need to inspect it and may be able to fix it rather than replace it.