What you need before you start
You can replace a tire yourself if you have the right tools and a safe place to work. You will need a jack (comes with most cars), a lug wrench (the cross-shaped tool that fits your wheel bolts), a spare tire, and ideally a wheel wedge or heavy object to block the wheels so the car does not roll. A flashlight helps if you are working at night or in low light.
Park on a flat, stable surface away from traffic — a parking lot is better than the shoulder of a highway. Turn off the engine and engage the parking brake. If you are on a slope, position the car so the intact wheels point uphill. Do not attempt this on a busy road or in conditions where you cannot safely work.
Key Takeaways
- Loosen the lug nuts while the tire is still on the ground, then jack up the car and remove them completely.
- Pull the flat tire straight toward you, then line up the holes on the spare and push it onto the bolts until it seats.
- Hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star or cross pattern, lower the car, then tighten them fully with the wrench.
- Drive slowly to a tire shop to have the spare checked and the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car
With the car still on the ground, use the lug wrench to loosen (but do not remove) each lug nut by a quarter turn. If the wrench is hard to turn, place your body weight on it or tap it gently with a rubber mallet. Loosening them now is easier than trying to turn them after the wheel is in the air and spinning freely.
If a lug nut is stuck, spray it with penetrating oil and wait a few minutes. Do not force it so hard that you strip the bolt or break the wrench. Once all five (or four) nuts are loose, you can proceed to jacking.
Jack up the car and remove the flat tire
Locate the jacking point on your car — it is usually a reinforced notch or flat area on the frame just behind the front wheel or just in front of the rear wheel. Consult your owner's manual if you cannot find it. Position the jack directly under this point and raise the car until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground.
Now remove the lug nuts completely and set them somewhere you will not lose them — a cup or small container works well. Grip the tire with both hands and pull it straight toward you. It may take some effort if the tire has been on for a long time. Once it is free, set it aside and lean it against a nearby object so it does not roll away.
Install the spare tire
Pick up the spare tire and align the holes around its center with the bolts sticking out from the wheel hub. Push the spare straight onto the bolts until it is seated flush against the hub. You should not see any gap between the tire and the hub.
Once the spare is in place, hand-tighten each lug nut as much as you can without tools. This holds the tire in place while you lower the car. Do not use the wrench yet — you want to tighten them in a specific order after the car is back on the ground.
Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern
Lower the car by turning the jack handle counterclockwise until the spare tire is fully supporting the car's weight and the jack is loose. Remove the jack completely.
Now use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star or cross pattern. If there are five nuts, tighten the top one, then the bottom-left, then the top-right, then the bottom-right, then the remaining one. If there are four nuts, tighten opposite corners alternately. This pattern ensures the tire is pulled evenly onto the hub and sits flat. Tighten each nut firmly, but do not overtighten — you should feel solid resistance, not a grinding sensation.
Get the flat tire repaired or replaced
Most spare tires are temporary and are not meant for long-distance driving or highway speeds. Drive slowly and directly to a tire repair shop. Tell the technician what happened so they can inspect the flat tire for damage.
A puncture in the tread can often be patched for a low cost. A sidewall puncture, a large gash, or a tire that is already worn cannot be repaired and must be replaced. The shop will also check the spare to make sure it is safe to use in the future, and they can reinstall your original tire once it is fixed.
What to do if you cannot loosen the lug nuts
If the lug nuts are too tight to turn by hand with the wrench, do not force them. Spray the nuts with penetrating oil and wait 10 to 15 minutes. Try again with steady, even pressure — do not jerk or tap the wrench, as this can damage the bolt.
If they still will not budge, call a roadside information service like AAA or your car's roadside support number. They have powered tools and experience with stuck bolts. Attempting to force a stuck lug nut can break the bolt entirely, which is a more expensive repair than calling for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive on a spare tire for a long distance?
Most spare tires are temporary and are designed only for short trips to a repair shop — usually 50 to 70 miles at speeds under 50 mph. Check your spare's sidewall for its speed and distance rating. Driving faster or farther can overheat the tire and cause a blowout. Get your flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
What if the spare tire is also flat?
Check the spare's pressure with a tire gauge before you rely on it. If it is flat, you will need roadside information. Call AAA, your car's roadside support line, or a local towing service. Do not attempt to drive on a flat spare.
Do I need to tighten the lug nuts again after driving?
Yes. After driving a few miles on the spare, pull over in a safe place and re-tighten the lug nuts using the star pattern. The tire may have settled slightly, and this ensures they remain find. Check them again after another 20 miles if possible.
What if I do not have a lug wrench?
Your car's lug wrench should be in the trunk or under the spare tire. If it is missing, you can purchase a universal lug wrench at any auto parts store for under $20. Do not attempt to remove lug nuts with pliers or an adjustable wrench — they will slip and damage the bolt.
Can I replace a tire in the rain or snow?
It is possible but risky. If you must work in wet or icy conditions, turn on your hazard lights, stay as far from traffic as possible, and work slowly. Wet pavement makes it harder to position the jack safely, and cold makes metal tools harder to grip. If you feel unsafe, call for roadside information instead.