You can change a car tire yourself with basic tools and no special skill
Changing a tire is a straightforward mechanical task that takes about ten minutes once you know the steps. You need a jack, a lug wrench, and a spare tire — all of which come with your car. The process is the same whether you drive a sedan, SUV, or truck: loosen the bolts while the car is still on the ground, lift the car, remove the old tire, install the new one, and tighten everything back down.
The hardest part is usually the first step — breaking the lug nuts loose — because they are tight. After that, the work is mechanical and straightforward. If you have never done this before, the first time will feel slow. That is normal. By the second time, you will move faster.
Key Takeaways
- Loosen the lug nuts while the tire is still on the ground, because the wheel will spin if you try to loosen them after the car is lifted.
- Use the jack that came with your car, and place it under the frame near the flat tire — not under the plastic bumper or body panel.
- Keep the old tire and lug nuts close by so you do not lose them or forget where they are while you work.
- Tighten the lug nuts in a star or cross pattern, not in a circle, so the wheel sits evenly on the hub.
- After you have driven a few miles on the new tire, stop and re-tighten the lug nuts, because they often loosen slightly after the first drive.
Gather your tools and locate the spare tire
Before you start, find your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. In most cars, the spare is under the trunk floor or mounted on the back of an SUV. The jack and lug wrench are usually in a pouch or bag in the trunk as well. Pull everything out and set it on the ground near the flat tire.
Check that your spare tire has air in it. Press on it with your hand — it should feel firm, not soft or squishy. If it feels low, you may still be able to drive on it to a gas station or tire shop, but it is better to know now rather than discover it after you have changed the tire.
Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car
This step is critical: loosen the lug nuts while all four wheels are on the ground. If you lift the car first, the wheel will spin when you try to turn the wrench, and you will not be able to loosen the nuts.
Place the lug wrench on one nut and turn it counterclockwise. You are not trying to remove the nuts completely — just break them loose so they turn freely. You should feel resistance at first. Once each nut turns easily, stop. Leave them on the wheel for now.
Most cars have four or five lug nuts per wheel. Loosen all of them before you move to the next step.
Lift the car with the jack in the correct position
Locate the frame of your car near the flat tire. The frame is a thick metal rail that runs along the underside of the car. Your car's manual will show you exactly where the jack should go — there is usually a small notch or reinforced spot on the frame designed for the jack. If you do not have the manual, look under the car near the wheel. You will see a spot that looks different from the rest of the frame.
Place the jack under this spot and raise the car until the tire is about six inches off the ground. You should be able to fit your hand under the tire. Do not go higher than necessary — the higher the car, the less stable it is.
Do not place the jack under plastic bumpers, body panels, or the fuel tank. These will crack or puncture. The jack must go under the metal frame.
Remove the lug nuts and take off the old tire
Now that the car is lifted and the lug nuts are already loose, finish unscrewing them by hand. Turn each one counterclockwise until it comes free. Place all the nuts in a small pile on the ground or in a cup — somewhere you will not kick them or lose them.
Grab the tire with both hands and pull it straight toward you. It will come off the hub. Set it flat on the ground next to you. Do not stand it upright or lean it against something, because it may fall and roll away.
Install the spare tire and hand-tighten the lug nuts
Lift the spare tire and line up the holes on the tire with the bolts on the hub. Push the tire onto the bolts until it sits flush against the hub. You may need to wiggle it slightly to get the holes to line up.
Pick up the lug nuts and screw them back on by hand. Turn each one clockwise until it is snug. Do not use the wrench yet — hand-tightening only. This keeps you from cross-threading the nuts or damaging the bolts.
Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern
Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts. This is the key step that most people get wrong: tighten them in a star or cross pattern, not in a circle.
If your wheel has four lug nuts, tighten the top one, then the bottom one, then the left one, then the right one. If it has five, tighten the top one, then the one to the lower left, then the one to the lower right, then the one to the upper left, then the one to the upper right. This pattern ensures the wheel sits evenly on the hub.
Tighten each nut firmly, but do not use all your strength. You are aiming for snug, not maximum force. If you over-tighten, you may strip the bolts or make it impossible to remove the nuts later.
Lower the car and finish tightening
Use the jack to lower the car slowly until the tire touches the ground and the car's full weight is on the tire. Then lower it the rest of the way and remove the jack.
Go around the wheel one more time and tighten each lug nut in the same star pattern. Now that the car is on the ground, you can explore more force. Tighten until each nut is snug and will not turn further.
Put the old tire, jack, and lug wrench back in the trunk. You are done.
What to do after you have changed the tire
Drive slowly to a tire shop or gas station. Most spare tires are temporary and are not meant for highway speeds or long distances. Even if your spare is a full-size tire, it may not have the same air pressure as your regular tires.
After you have driven a few miles, stop and re-tighten the lug nuts one more time. They often loosen slightly after the first drive, and this quick check prevents problems later.
Have the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as you can. A puncture can sometimes be patched, but a sidewall damage or large hole cannot. A tire shop can tell you whether repair is possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot loosen the lug nuts by hand?
The nuts are too tight. Try placing the lug wrench on the nut, then stepping on the wrench handle to use your body weight instead of just your arms. If that does not work, spray the nuts with penetrating oil (like WD-40) and wait 15 minutes, then try again. Do not hit the wrench with a hammer — you may damage it or the bolt.
Can I use a different jack instead of the one that came with my car?
Yes, but only if it is rated for your car's weight and you know how to use it safely. A hydraulic floor jack works well if you have one. Never use a jack that is too small for your car — it can slip and drop the car on you. If you are unsure, stick with the jack that came with your vehicle.
What if the spare tire is flat?
You cannot drive on a flat spare. Call a towing service or roadside information to take your car to a tire shop. If you have a portable air compressor, you can try to inflate the spare enough to drive slowly to the nearest gas station, but this is risky. It is safer to have the car towed.
Do I need to balance or align the wheel after changing the tire?
Not when ready. A spare tire is temporary, so balancing is not necessary. Once you have the flat tire repaired or replaced and put back on the car, a tire shop can balance it then. If you notice vibration or pulling to one side while driving on the spare, have it checked before you drive far.
How tight should the lug nuts be?
Tight enough that they will not turn when you try to loosen them by hand, but not so tight that you need a pipe wrench or your full body weight. If you have a torque wrench, your car's manual lists the correct torque specification — usually between 80 and 120 foot-pounds depending on the vehicle. Without a torque wrench, snug and firm is the right target.