What happens when you replace a tire
Replacing a tire means removing the old one from your wheel and putting a new one on. You can do this yourself at the roadside if you have a spare, a jack, and a lug wrench — the process takes 15 to 30 minutes for most people. Or you can drive to a tire shop, where a technician removes the old tire, mounts a new one onto your wheel, balances it, and installs it back on your vehicle.
The choice between doing it yourself and going to a shop depends on whether you have a working spare, your comfort level with the task, and how soon you need the tire replaced. A roadside replacement gets you moving again but is temporary if you used a compact spare. A shop replacement is permanent and includes balancing, which keeps your vehicle from vibrating at highway speeds.
Key Takeaways
- A roadside tire replacement requires a spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and wheel wedges, and takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have never done it before.
- Loosen lug nuts while the tire is still on the ground, then raise the vehicle, remove the tire, and install the new one before lowering and tightening the lugs in a star pattern.
- A tire shop replacement includes balancing and alignment checks, costs between $100 and $300 per tire depending on the brand and size, and takes 30 minutes to an hour.
- Compact spares are meant for temporary use only and should not be driven faster than 50 mph or for more than 70 miles before replacing with a full-size tire.
- If you do not have a spare, cannot safely use a jack, or are on a highway shoulder, call roadside information or a tow truck rather than attempting the replacement yourself.
Tools and equipment you need for a roadside replacement
Before you start, gather the spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and wheel wedges (or heavy rocks). Check that your spare has air in it — a flat spare is useless. The jack should be rated for your vehicle's weight; most cars come with a scissor jack that fits in the trunk. The lug wrench is usually a cross-shaped tool with four different socket sizes, one of which fits your vehicle's lug nuts.
Wheel wedges keep your vehicle from rolling while you work. You can buy rubber wedges at any auto parts store, or use a brick, a cinder block, or a large rock placed behind the wheel diagonally opposite the one you are replacing. If you are on a highway or in traffic, turn on your hazard lights and consider calling roadside information instead of working near moving vehicles.
Step-by-step roadside tire replacement
Step 1: Position and find the vehicle. Park on a flat, level surface away from traffic if possible. Turn on hazard lights. Place wheel wedges behind the wheels that will stay on the ground — if you are replacing the front left tire, wedge the front right and both rear wheels.
Step 2: Loosen the lug nuts. Before raising the vehicle, use the lug wrench to loosen (but do not remove) each lug nut by a quarter turn. The vehicle's weight makes this easier. If a nut is stuck, spray it with penetrating oil and wait a few minutes, then try again.
Step 3: Raise the vehicle. Place the jack under the vehicle's frame near the tire you are replacing — your owner's manual shows the correct jacking point. Raise the vehicle until the tire is about six inches off the ground. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Step 4: Remove the old tire. Unscrew the lug nuts completely and set them aside where they will not roll away. Pull the tire straight toward you to remove it from the wheel hub. Set it flat on the ground.
Step 5: Install the spare. Align the holes on the spare with the bolts on the hub and push it on. Hand-tighten the lug nuts to hold the spare in place, then use the wrench to tighten them snugly — not with full force yet.
Step 6: Lower the vehicle and finish tightening. Lower the jack slowly until the spare tire touches the ground and bears the vehicle's weight. Remove the jack. Tighten the lug nuts in a star or cross pattern (top, bottom, left, right, then repeat) to may support even pressure. Tighten firmly but do not overtighten, which can strip the threads.
Step 7: Check pressure and drive carefully. If you have a tire pressure gauge, check the spare's pressure. Compact spares often run at higher pressure than regular tires. Drive slowly to the nearest tire shop to have the old tire repaired or replaced with a new full-size tire.
When to use a tire shop instead of replacing it yourself
Take your vehicle to a tire shop if you do not have a working spare, if you are uncomfortable using a jack, if you are on a highway shoulder with traffic, or if the tire is damaged in a way that makes it unsafe to drive even on a spare. A shop has the right equipment, insurance, and experience to handle the job safely.
Tire shops also balance the new tire, which prevents vibration and uneven wear. They can check your wheel alignment and suspension while the tire is off, catching problems that roadside replacement cannot address. If you replaced a tire yourself with a compact spare, visit a shop within a few days to have a full-size tire installed.
What a tire shop does and what it costs
A tire shop removes the old tire from the wheel, inspects the wheel for damage, mounts a new tire onto the wheel, balances it with weights, and reinstalls it on your vehicle. Balancing takes 10 to 15 minutes and costs $15 to $25 per tire. The new tire itself costs between $50 and $200 depending on the brand, size, and type (all-season, winter, performance, etc.).
Total cost for one tire replacement at a shop ranges from $100 to $300 per tire. Some shops offer road hazard warranties that cover future punctures or damage for a year or two. Installation fees vary by shop and location. Call ahead to ask about the tire brand and price before you arrive, or ask the shop to recommend a tire that matches your vehicle and budget.
Compact spares and when to replace them
A compact spare is smaller and lighter than a full-size tire and is meant only as a temporary fix. It has limits: do not drive faster than 50 mph, do not drive more than 70 miles, and do not use it in severe weather or on rough roads. Driving too far or too fast on a compact spare can damage the wheel or suspension.
Once you reach a tire shop, have the old tire repaired if the damage is minor (a small puncture in the tread), or replaced with a new tire if the damage is severe (a large puncture, a bulge, or a sidewall tear). If you repaired the old tire, you can keep it as a spare for future use. If you replaced it, ask the shop what to do with the old tire — most shops dispose of it for a small fee or recycle it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive on a compact spare to get to a tire shop?
Yes, but only if you follow the limits: stay under 50 mph and drive no more than 70 miles. Compact spares are temporary and can overheat or fail if you exceed these limits. If the nearest tire shop is farther than 70 miles, call roadside information to have the vehicle towed.
What if I cannot loosen the lug nuts by hand?
Spray the nuts with penetrating oil (like WD-40) and wait 10 to 15 minutes. Try again with the wrench, using steady pressure rather than jerking. If they still will not budge, call roadside information — forcing a stuck nut can break the wrench or strip the threads.
Do I need to replace all four tires at once?
No. You can replace one tire if only one is damaged. However, if your vehicle has all-wheel drive, replacing just one tire can strain the transmission because the new tire has a different diameter than the worn ones. Ask your shop whether your vehicle needs all four replaced or if replacing one or two is safe.
How do I know what size tire to buy?
Check the driver's side door jamb or your owner's manual for the tire size code (for example, 225/65R17). Write this down and give it to the tire shop, or use it to search online tire retailers. Do not guess or buy a different size — using the wrong size can affect your speedometer, fuel economy, and handling.
What should I do with the old tire after replacement?
Most tire shops will dispose of or recycle the old tire for a fee (usually $3 to $5 per tire). Some shops include disposal in the installation price. If you want to keep the old tire as a spare, ask the shop to store it or take it with you. Do not leave old tires on the roadside — it is illegal in most places.