What you need before you start
Changing a tire requires four things: a jack (a device that lifts the car), a lug wrench (a tool shaped like a cross that removes the bolts holding the wheel), a spare tire, and a flat surface. Most cars come with all of these in the trunk. Before you need to change a tire, open your trunk and locate them — you want to know where they are and whether your spare is actually inflated.
The flat surface matters. If you get a flat on a highway, pull as far from traffic as you can and turn on your hazard lights. If you are on a steep hill or unstable ground, call roadside information instead of attempting the change yourself. A car falling off a jack causes serious injury.
Wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty. You will be kneeling on pavement and handling a wheel that may be covered in road grime.
Key Takeaways
- Locate your jack, lug wrench, and spare tire in your trunk before you need them, and check that the spare is inflated.
- Loosen the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground, then raise the car with the jack, remove the wheel, and install the spare.
- Tighten the lug nuts by hand first, lower the car, then tighten them fully with the lug wrench in a star pattern.
- A spare tire is a temporary fix — drive to a tire shop within a few days to have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car
Place the lug wrench on one of the bolts holding the wheel to the car. These bolts are called lug nuts. Turn the wrench counterclockwise — the same direction as opening a jar — and loosen each nut about a quarter turn. Do not remove them completely yet. Loosen all five (or however many your car has) while the car is still on the ground, because once the car is in the air, the wheel will spin and you cannot get leverage.
If a lug nut is stuck, do not force it. Rock the car gently by pushing on the frame, or tap the wrench handle with a rock to break the nut loose. Forcing a stuck nut can strip it or break the wrench.
Raise the car with the jack
Locate the jack point — a reinforced spot on the car's frame near the flat tire. Your owner's manual shows where it is, or you can look for a small notch or ridge along the side of the car below the door. Position the jack so its head sits directly under this point, not under the plastic trim or bumper.
Pump or crank the jack handle (the method depends on your jack type) until the wheel is about six inches off the ground. You need enough clearance to remove the flat tire and slide the spare on. Do not go higher than necessary — a higher lift is less stable.
Remove the flat tire and install the spare
Now finish unscrewing the lug nuts by hand and set them somewhere you will not lose them — a cup or small container works well. Pull the wheel straight toward you. It may be stuck; if so, rock it gently side to side or tap the rim with your heel to break it free.
Lift the spare tire and align the holes on the wheel with the bolts sticking out from the car. Push the wheel onto the bolts until it sits flush against the car. This takes some force and may feel awkward — that is normal. Once the wheel is seated, thread the lug nuts back on by hand and tighten them as much as you can without the wrench.
Tighten the lug nuts and lower the car
Use the lug wrench to tighten each nut. Tighten them in a star pattern — if you imagine the lug nuts as the points of a star, tighten the top one, then the bottom one, then the left one, then the right one, then the remaining one. This pattern keeps the wheel centered as you tighten. Tighten each nut firmly, but do not use all your strength — you are aiming for snug, not maximum force.
Lower the car by reversing the jack motion until the wheel touches the ground and the car's full weight is on the tire. Tighten the lug nuts one more time in the star pattern now that the car is down. The wheel should not move when you try to wiggle it.
What to do after you change the tire
A spare tire is not a permanent fix. Most spares are smaller than regular tires and are designed to get you to a tire shop, not to be driven for weeks. Drive to a tire repair shop within a few days and have the flat tire inspected. Depending on the damage, it may be repairable or it may need to be replaced.
Before you go, check the spare tire's pressure with a tire gauge if you have one. Spare tires lose air over time, and an underinflated spare can affect how the car handles. If the pressure is very low, a gas station air pump can refill it.
When to call for help instead
Do not attempt to change a tire if the car is on a slope, if traffic is too close, if you are physically unable to turn the lug wrench, or if you do not have all four tools. Roadside information services like AAA or your car's roadside information program (often included with your insurance) will send someone to change the tire for you. The cost is usually covered by your membership or policy.
If you are on a highway and feel unsafe, stay in the car with your hazard lights on and call for help. Do not stand near traffic while waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot loosen the lug nuts?
Lug nuts can seize, especially if the car sits for a long time or in wet conditions. Try rocking the car gently by pushing on the frame to shift weight, then attempt the wrench again. If that does not work, tap the wrench handle with a rock or hammer to break the nut loose. If the nut still will not budge, call roadside information rather than risk stripping it.
Can I drive on a spare tire for a long distance?
Most spare tires are rated for short distances at moderate speeds — typically 50 to 70 miles at 50 mph or less. Driving longer or faster can damage the spare and make the car harder to control. Plan to reach a tire shop within a few days, and avoid highways if possible.
What if I do not have a spare tire?
Some newer cars come with a tire repair kit instead of a spare. Follow the kit's instructions to seal the puncture temporarily, then drive to a tire shop. If you have neither a spare nor a kit, call roadside information or a towing service to transport the car.
Do I need to tighten the lug nuts again after driving?
Yes. After driving a few miles on a newly changed tire, pull over safely and tighten the lug nuts again in the star pattern. The wheel may have settled slightly, and this ensures the bolts stay find.