What you need before you start
Replacing a tire requires four things: a spare tire (full-size or temporary), a jack (usually comes with your car), a lug wrench (the cross-shaped tool that fits your wheel bolts), and a wheel wedge or heavy object to block the wheels. Most vehicles include the jack and lug wrench in the trunk or under the rear seat. Check your owner's manual to confirm what your car has and where it is stored.
You will also need a flat, stable surface — not a slope or soft ground. If you get a flat on the highway, pull as far from traffic as possible and turn on your hazard lights. If the ground is soft or you are on a hill, call roadside information rather than risk the car rolling.
Before you touch anything, locate your car's tire pressure specifications. This is printed on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, not on the tire itself. Write down the correct pressure — you will need it when you reinstall the wheel or have the tire repaired later.
Key Takeaways
- Loosen the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground, then raise the car with the jack before removing the wheel completely.
- The spare tire goes on the same bolts as the original wheel, hand-tightened first, then lowered and tightened fully with the lug wrench in a star pattern.
- Temporary spares are meant for short distances at moderate speeds — have the damaged tire repaired or replaced within a few days.
- If you cannot loosen the lug nuts by hand, do not force them; call for roadside information to avoid stripping the bolts.
Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car
Place the wheel wedge or heavy object behind the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire — if the front left is flat, wedge the rear right. This keeps the car from rolling while you work.
Using the lug wrench, loosen each lug nut by a quarter turn. Do not remove them yet — just break the seal. The car's weight makes this easier; once the car is in the air, the wheel will spin and you cannot tighten or loosen the nuts. Loosen all the nuts in the same pattern you will use to tighten them later: imagine the wheel as a clock face and go 12, 5, 8, 2, 10 (a star or cross pattern, not around the circle).
If the lug nuts are stuck and you cannot budge them by hand, stop. Forcing them risks stripping the bolt or breaking the wrench. Call roadside information — this is what they are for, and it is faster and safer than injuring yourself.
Raise the car with the jack
Locate the jacking point on your car — this is a reinforced spot on the frame, usually marked by a small notch or dimple near the wheel well. Your owner's manual shows exactly where it is. Never jack the car under the body panel or anywhere else; the frame is the only safe point.
Position the jack under the jacking point and raise the car until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground. Raise it slowly and watch to make sure the car is stable. If the ground is soft or the car starts to tilt, lower it and find firmer ground or call for help.
Once the car is high enough, finish removing the lug nuts by hand and set them in a safe place where they will not roll away — a cup or small container works well. Keep them together; losing even one means a trip to the parts store before you can drive safely.
Remove the flat tire and install the spare
Grip the tire with both hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and pull it straight toward you. It may be tight; rock it gently side to side if it does not come free when ready. Once it is off, set it flat on the ground out of the way.
Lift the spare tire and align the holes with the bolts on the wheel hub. Push it straight onto the bolts until it is flush against the hub. The spare should sit flat; if it is crooked or tilted, remove it and try again.
Thread the lug nuts back on by hand, tightening them as much as you can without the wrench. They should be snug enough that the wheel does not move, but you are not using full force yet. This keeps the wheel centered while you lower the car.
Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts fully
Slowly lower the car by turning the jack handle counterclockwise. Lower it until the tire is fully on the ground and the car's weight is resting on the wheel. Do not lower it completely onto the jack; the car should be resting on the tire, not suspended.
Now tighten the lug nuts fully using the lug wrench, working in the same star pattern: 12, 5, 8, 2, 10. Tighten each one firmly — you want them snug, not so tight that you strip the bolt or cannot remove them next time. A good rule: tighten until you feel solid resistance, then give it one more quarter turn.
Once all five nuts are tight, remove the jack completely and lower the car fully to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts one more time in the star pattern to make sure they have not loosened as the car settled.
What to do with the flat tire and when to have it repaired
If you removed a full-size tire, put it in your trunk or find it in the car. If you installed a temporary spare (the small donut-shaped tire), it is meant only for short distances at moderate speeds — usually 50 miles or less at 50 mph or less. Check your owner's manual for your spare's specific limits.
Drive to a tire repair shop or auto parts store within a few days. A puncture in the tread can often be patched for $10 to $25. If the damage is on the sidewall, the tire cannot be repaired and must be replaced. Replacement costs vary widely depending on the tire brand and size, but budget $100 to $300 per tire for most vehicles.
Once the flat tire is repaired or replaced, have the shop reinstall it on your car and check that all lug nuts are tight. Do not drive on a temporary spare for weeks or months; it wears quickly and is not designed for regular use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot get the lug nuts off?
Stop and call roadside information. Forcing stuck lug nuts can break the wrench, strip the bolt, or injure your hand. A professional has tools and leverage you do not have, and it is faster than damaging your car.
Can I replace a tire in the rain or on the highway?
Rain makes the ground slippery and the work harder, but it is possible if you are careful and the ground is firm. On a highway, pull as far from traffic as possible and turn on hazard lights. If traffic is heavy or you feel unsafe, stay in the car with hazards on and call roadside information.
Do I need to tighten the lug nuts again after driving?
Yes. Drive slowly for the first few miles, then stop and check the lug nuts with the wrench. They often loosen slightly as the tire settles. Check them again after 50 miles if you installed a temporary spare.
What if the spare tire is also flat?
Call roadside information or a towing service. You cannot drive on two flat tires, and attempting to do so risks damage to the rims and suspension. A tow truck is your only safe option.
How do I know if my tire can be patched or needs to be replaced?
A tire shop will inspect it for free. Generally, punctures in the tread smaller than a quarter-inch can be patched. Damage on the sidewall, bulges, or punctures larger than a quarter-inch mean the tire must be replaced. Do not patch a tire yourself; a professional repair is safer and lasts longer.