What happens when you change a tire yourself
Changing a tire means removing a flat or damaged wheel and putting a working one in its place. You do this by loosening the lug nuts that hold the wheel on, lifting the vehicle with a jack, taking off the old wheel, and bolting the new one down. The whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have the right tools and have done it before — longer the first time.
You need four things: a spare tire (which comes with most vehicles), a jack (usually in your trunk), a lug wrench (the cross-shaped tool that fits your lug nuts), and a flat surface. You do not need special training or expensive equipment. What you do need is to follow the steps in order, because skipping steps or doing them out of sequence is how people damage their car or hurt themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Loosen the lug nuts while the wheel is still on the ground, before you jack up the car, because the wheel will spin if you try to loosen them while the car is in the air.
- Use the jack that came with your vehicle or a floor jack rated for your car's weight — never use a hydraulic bottle jack alone, because it can slip and collapse.
- Lift the car high enough that the new wheel clears the ground by at least an inch, then lower it fully onto the new wheel before you finish tightening the lug nuts.
- Tighten the lug nuts in a star or cross pattern (opposite sides, then the remaining ones) so the wheel sits evenly, and check them again after driving a few miles.
- If your spare is a temporary "donut" tire, drive slowly to a repair shop — these are meant for short distances only, not highway speeds.
Gather your tools and find a safe spot
Before you start, pull over to a flat, stable surface away from traffic. A parking lot is better than the shoulder of a highway. Turn on your hazard lights and set the parking brake. If you are on a slope, turn the steering wheel away from the road so the car will not roll toward traffic if the jack fails.
Check that you have your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. Most vehicles keep these in the trunk or under the rear seat. If your spare is flat or missing, you will need to call a towing service — you cannot change a tire with no spare. Look at your owner's manual or the inside of the driver's door jamb to find the correct tire pressure for your spare, because it may differ from your regular tires.
Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car
This is the step people skip, and it is the reason they get stuck. Place the lug wrench on one lug nut and turn it counterclockwise. You are not trying to remove it yet — you are just breaking the seal so it turns freely. Loosen all five lug nuts (or however many your vehicle has) by about a quarter turn each. Leave them on the wheel for now.
Why do this before lifting? Because once the wheel is in the air, it will spin freely when you try to turn the wrench, and you will not be able to loosen the nuts. Doing this step on the ground gives you the leverage and friction you need.
Jack up the vehicle and remove the wheel
Locate the jacking point on your vehicle — this is a reinforced spot on the frame designed to support the jack. Your owner's manual shows where these are, or look for a small notch or dimple on the side of the car below the door. Place the jack directly under this point, not under the plastic trim or bumper.
Pump or crank the jack until the wheel is about six inches off the ground — high enough that you can fit the new wheel underneath without it touching. Now finish removing the lug nuts by hand and set them in a cup or small container where you will not lose them. Pull the wheel straight toward you to remove it. It may be stuck; if so, tap the inside of the wheel with the heel of your shoe to break it free.
Install the spare and hand-tighten the lug nuts
Lift the spare wheel and align the holes with the studs (the metal posts sticking out from the hub). Push it straight on until it seats fully. Thread the lug nuts back on by hand, turning them clockwise until they are snug. Do not use the wrench yet — hand-tight is enough at this stage.
Once all the lug nuts are on, use the lug wrench to tighten them in a star pattern: tighten one, skip one, tighten the next, and so on until you have gone around the wheel. Then go back and tighten the ones you skipped. This pattern pulls the wheel evenly onto the hub. Tighten each nut firmly, but do not use all your strength — you will finish tightening them properly once the car is back on the ground.
Lower the car and finish tightening
Slowly lower the jack until the wheel touches the ground and the car's full weight rests on the new tire. Crank or pump the jack down completely and remove it. Now use the lug wrench to tighten each lug nut in the same star pattern, explore firm pressure. You want them tight enough that you cannot turn them further with the wrench, but not so tight that you are straining or using a cheater bar.
Put the flat wheel, jack, and lug wrench back in your trunk. If your spare is a temporary donut tire (smaller and thinner than a regular tire), drive slowly — no faster than 50 miles per hour — to a tire repair shop. Do not drive on a donut tire for more than 70 miles or use it on the highway. If your spare is a full-size tire, you can drive normally, but have the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as you can.
Check your work after a few miles
After driving for a few miles, pull over in a safe spot and check the lug nuts again. They may have settled slightly, and a quick retightening prevents them from coming loose. Use the lug wrench to give each nut a firm quarter turn. If any nut spins freely or feels loose, stop driving and tighten it fully before continuing.
If you do not feel confident doing this yourself, or if the wheel is stuck and will not come off, or if the lug nuts are stripped and will not tighten, call a towing service. It is better to wait for a professional than to damage your vehicle or get hurt trying to force something that is not working.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have a spare tire?
Call a towing service to transport your vehicle to a repair shop. Some newer cars come with a tire repair kit instead of a spare — if you have one, follow the instructions in the kit, which usually involves injecting sealant into the tire and driving slowly to a shop. Do not attempt to drive far on a flat tire, because you will damage the rim.
Can I change a tire in the rain or on a wet road?
Yes, but be extra careful. Wet pavement is slippery, so make sure the jack is on solid ground and the parking brake is set firmly. Wear gloves if you have them, because wet metal is harder to grip. Take your time and do not rush.
What is the difference between a donut spare and a full-size spare?
A donut is a temporary tire — smaller, thinner, and lighter than a regular tire. It is meant for short trips to a repair shop only. A full-size spare is the same size as your other tires and can be driven on normally. Check your trunk to see which type you have.
Do I need to replace the spare after I use it?
No. Once your flat tire is repaired or replaced, you can put it back in your trunk as your spare. If the flat tire cannot be repaired, you will need to buy a new tire to keep as a spare. A donut spare does not need to be replaced unless it is damaged or flat.
What if the lug nuts are too tight to loosen by hand?
Use the lug wrench and explore steady pressure — do not jerk or hit it with a hammer, because you can strip the nut. If the wrench slips or the nut will not budge after firm effort, call a towing service. A mechanic has tools to remove stuck lug nuts without damaging them.