What happens when you change a flat tire yourself
Changing a flat tire means removing the damaged wheel from your vehicle and putting on a spare in its place. You do this with a jack (a device that lifts the car), a lug wrench (a tool that loosens the bolts holding the wheel), and the spare tire that came with your vehicle. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes once you have gathered your tools and found a safe spot to work.
Most vehicles come with a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench in the trunk or under the rear seat. If your car has a full-size spare (the same size as your regular tires), the repair is straightforward. If it has a compact spare (smaller and thinner), that spare is meant to get you to a repair shop, not to drive on permanently — it can damage your transmission if you drive too far or too fast on it.
Key Takeaways
- You will need your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench, all of which should be in your trunk or under the rear seat.
- Move to a flat, stable surface away from traffic before you start, and turn on your hazard lights so other drivers see you.
- Loosen the lug nuts before you lift the car, then lift it high enough that the flat tire clears the ground by a few inches.
- Remove the lug nuts completely, take off the flat tire, put on the spare, and hand-tighten the lug nuts before lowering the car.
- After lowering the car, tighten the lug nuts firmly with the wrench, then drive to a tire shop to have the flat repaired or replaced.
Find a safe place to pull over and stop
As soon as you realize you have a flat, do not slam on the brakes. Slow down gradually and steer toward the shoulder of the road, away from traffic. If you are on a highway, keep going until you reach an exit or a wide, flat area where you can pull completely off the pavement.
Once you stop, turn on your hazard lights (the blinking lights on all four corners of your car). If it is dark, turn on your headlights too. If you have reflective triangles or flares in your car, place them about 10 feet behind your vehicle to warn other drivers. This step takes only a minute but makes a real difference in your safety.
Gather your tools and remove the wheel cover or hubcap
Open your trunk and locate your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. Most vehicles store these items together in a kit. If you cannot find them, check under the rear seat or in a compartment on the inside of the trunk lid — the owner's manual will show you exactly where.
Before you lift the car, remove the wheel cover or hubcap if your vehicle has one. This is the plastic or metal ring that covers the center of the wheel. Pry it off gently with the flat end of your lug wrench or a flathead screwdriver. Set it aside where you will not lose it. Once the cover is off, you will see the lug nuts — the bolts that hold the wheel on.
Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car
This step is critical and often skipped by mistake. Place your lug wrench on one of the lug nuts and turn it counterclockwise. You are not removing the nuts yet — you are just loosening them enough that they will turn by hand. Loosen all of them a quarter turn or so. This is much easier to do while the car is still on the ground and the wheel is not spinning.
If a lug nut is stuck, do not force it. Try spraying it with penetrating oil (like WD-40) and waiting a few minutes, then try again. If you still cannot budge it, you may need to call a tow truck rather than risk stripping the nut or breaking your wrench.
Lift the car with the jack and remove the flat tire
Position the jack on a solid part of your vehicle's frame, not on the plastic bumper or body panel. Your owner's manual shows the correct jacking points — they are usually marked with a small notch or dimple on the frame. Place the jack directly under this point and pump or crank it until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground. You should be able to fit your hand under the tire.
Now finish removing the lug nuts by hand and set them somewhere you will not lose them — a cup holder or a small container works well. Grip the tire with both hands and pull it straight toward you. It may take a firm tug. Once it is off, set it flat on the ground beside you.
Mount the spare tire and hand-tighten the lug nuts
Lift the spare tire and line up the holes in the center with the bolts sticking out from the hub (the center part of the wheel). Push the spare straight onto the bolts until it sits flush against the hub. This usually requires some force, so do not be gentle.
Once the spare is on, thread the lug nuts back on by hand and tighten them as much as you can without using the wrench. They should be snug enough that the tire does not wobble, but you do not need to crank them hard yet. Hand-tightening prevents you from cross-threading the nuts (screwing them on at an angle, which ruins them).
Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts firmly
Crank or pump the jack down slowly until the spare tire touches the ground and the car's full weight is resting on it. Lower the jack completely and remove it from under the car. Now use your lug wrench to tighten each lug nut firmly. Tighten them in a star or cross pattern — if the nuts are at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, tighten 12, then 6, then 3, then 9. This keeps the wheel balanced as you tighten.
Tighten each nut until it is snug and does not turn any further with moderate pressure. Do not over-tighten — you should not need to strain with all your strength. Once all the nuts are tight, put your wheel cover back on if you have one, and put the flat tire and jack back in your trunk.
Drive to a tire shop to repair or replace the flat
If you are using a full-size spare, you can drive normally to a tire shop. If you are using a compact spare, drive slowly (no faster than 50 mph) and keep your distance short — these spares are not meant for long trips. Do not take the highway if you can avoid it.
At the tire shop, the technician will inspect the flat tire to see if it can be patched or if it needs to be replaced. A puncture from a nail or screw can usually be patched for $10 to $20. If the tire is old, worn, or damaged beyond repair, you will need to buy a new one. Once the flat is fixed or replaced, ask the shop to put it back on your car and check that all your lug nuts are tight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have a spare tire?
Some newer vehicles come with a tire repair kit instead of a spare. This kit contains a sealant that you inject into the tire through the valve stem. Follow the instructions on the kit, then drive slowly to a tire shop. If you have no kit and no spare, call a tow truck or roadside service to transport your vehicle.
Can I change a tire in the rain or snow?
Yes, but take extra precautions. Wear gloves to keep your hands dry and warm. Make sure the jack is on solid ground — mud or snow can shift under the weight of the car. If you feel unsafe, call for roadside help instead. Your safety is more important than changing the tire yourself.
What if the lug nuts are too tight to loosen?
Try using a longer wrench or a breaker bar (a pipe that slides over the wrench handle to give you more leverage). Spray the nuts with penetrating oil and wait 10 minutes. If they still will not budge, do not risk injury — call a tow truck or roadside service.
How do I know if my spare tire is in good condition?
Check the air pressure with a tire gauge — it should match the pressure listed on a sticker inside your driver's door. Look for cracks, bulges, or obvious damage on the tire. If the spare is flat or damaged, you cannot use it. Take it to a tire shop to have it repaired or replaced before you need it in an emergency.
Do I need to get my lug nuts tightened after I drive on the spare?
Yes. After driving on a spare for even a short distance, the lug nuts can loosen slightly. Once you have the flat tire repaired and back on your car, have a tire shop check that all the lug nuts are tight. This takes only a few minutes and prevents the wheel from coming loose while you drive.