The basic tools you'll need to change a tire

To change a tire by hand, you need four things: a jack to lift the car, a lug wrench to remove the wheel bolts, a spare tire, and wheel wedges or blocks to keep the car from rolling. Most cars come with a scissor jack (a small, diamond-shaped jack that fits under the car frame) and a lug wrench in the trunk. You may also find a tire iron—a metal rod with a socket on one end—bundled with these tools, though a separate lug wrench works better for most people.

Beyond these four essentials, a few extras make the job safer and less frustrating. A flashlight or headlamp is nearly essential if you're changing a tire at night or in dim conditions. Work gloves protect your hands from dirt and sharp edges. A tarp or mat gives you a clean place to set the lug nuts so you don't lose them in grass or gravel. A breaker bar—a longer wrench with more leverage—helps if the lug nuts are stuck tight from rust or over-tightening at the shop.

Key Takeaways

  • Every car should carry a jack, lug wrench, and spare tire; most come with these in the trunk or under the floor mat.
  • Wheel wedges or blocks prevent the car from rolling while you work, and are safer than relying on the parking brake alone.
  • A flashlight, work gloves, and a tarp are inexpensive additions that make the job safer and less messy.
  • A breaker bar gives you extra leverage if lug nuts are rusted or over-tightened, but is not required for most tire changes.
  • Portable air compressors and tire plugs let you patch a small puncture temporarily, though a spare tire is the faster solution on the road.

Jacks: scissor, bottle, and floor jacks

The scissor jack that comes with most cars is small, lightweight, and fits in the trunk. It works by turning a handle that tightens a screw mechanism, pushing two metal plates apart and lifting the car. Scissor jacks are slow and require you to crank the handle many times, but they're reliable for a one-time tire change on the side of the road.

A bottle jack is a separate tool shaped like a cylinder. It lifts faster than a scissor jack and takes up less space, but it requires a flat, stable surface under the car and is less stable on soft ground like gravel or dirt. A floor jack is the largest type, with wheels and a long handle for pumping. Floor jacks are what tire shops use and are the fastest option, but they're too big to carry in most cars and require a level, solid surface.

For roadside tire changes, the scissor jack that came with your car is usually sufficient. If you want a backup or a faster option, a bottle jack is a practical middle ground. Floor jacks are useful if you change tires at home regularly or work on cars as a hobby.

Lug wrenches and breaker bars

A lug wrench is a metal tool with sockets on each end, usually in two different sizes to fit the lug nuts on your car. The most common type is the X-shaped four-way wrench, which has four different socket sizes. A single-socket lug wrench is lighter and easier to store, but the four-way gives you options if you're unsure which size you need.

The challenge with lug wrenches is leverage. If the lug nuts are tight—especially if they were over-tightened at a tire shop—you may not have enough arm strength to loosen them with a standard wrench. A breaker bar is a longer wrench (usually 18 to 24 inches) that gives you more mechanical advantage. You can also slip a length of pipe over the handle of a lug wrench to extend it, though this is a temporary fix and can damage the wrench if you explore too much force.

For most tire changes, the lug wrench that came with your car will work. If you regularly struggle to loosen lug nuts, a breaker bar is a worthwhile investment. Some people keep one in the car for emergencies.

Wheel wedges and safety blocks

A wheel wedge is a triangular or wedge-shaped block that sits in front of or behind a tire to prevent the car from rolling. When you lift one wheel with a jack, the car becomes unstable, and even a small slope or vibration can cause it to roll off the jack. Wedges are cheap (usually under $20 for a pair) and can prevent serious injury or death.

You can buy rubber or plastic wedges designed for this purpose, or you can use a concrete block, a large rock, or a piece of wood in a pinch. The key is that the wedge must be large enough and heavy enough to stop the car if it rolls, and it must be placed directly in front of or behind the tire on the opposite end of the car from the one you're lifting. If you're lifting the front-right tire, place wedges behind the rear tires.

Never rely on the parking brake alone to keep the car still. Always use wedges or blocks in addition to the brake. This is one of the most important safety steps in a tire change.

Spare tires, tire plugs, and portable compressors

A spare tire is the fastest way to get back on the road after a flat. Most cars come with a full-size spare (the same size as your regular tires) or a temporary spare (a smaller, thinner tire that fits in the trunk). Temporary spares are lighter and take up less space, but they're designed to be used only until you reach a tire shop. They have a lower speed rating and should not be driven more than 70 miles or at speeds above 50 mph.

If you want to patch a small puncture (a nail or screw hole in the tread), a tire plug kit includes rubber plugs, a reaming tool, and adhesive. Tire plugs are temporary fixes that cost a few dollars and take 10 minutes to install. They work well for small punctures in the tread but not for sidewall damage or large holes. A portable air compressor (12-volt or battery-powered) lets you inflate a tire after patching it or if it's slowly losing air. These range from $30 to $150 depending on power and speed.

For a roadside emergency, a spare tire is your best option because it's fast and doesn't require tools or skill. Tire plugs and compressors are useful if you want to patch a tire and keep driving, but they're not a permanent fix.

Organizing and storing tire-changing equipment

Most cars have a designated space in the trunk or under the floor mat for the jack and lug wrench. Check your owner's manual to find where these are stored in your car. If you've lost the original jack or wrench, you can buy replacements at auto parts stores for $15 to $40.

For extra tools like a flashlight, work gloves, breaker bar, or tire plug kit, a small toolbox or canvas bag keeps everything together and straightforward to find. Store this in the trunk or under a seat. Label the bag so you know what's inside and can grab it quickly in an emergency. Check your equipment once or twice a year to make sure nothing is missing or damaged, and replace batteries in flashlights or portable compressors if they've been sitting unused.

Keep your spare tire inflated to the pressure listed on the sidewall (not the pressure for your regular tires, which may be different). Check the pressure every few months, especially if you have a temporary spare that you rarely use. A flat spare tire is useless in an emergency.

When to call for roadside help instead

Changing a tire yourself is straightforward if you have the right tools and the tire is in a safe location. However, some situations call for professional help. If you're on a busy highway where traffic is moving fast, changing a tire puts you at risk of being hit. If the ground is soft, muddy, or sloped, the jack may sink or slip. If the lug nuts are so tight you can't loosen them even with a breaker bar, you'll need a tire shop's power tools.

Roadside information programs like AAA, roadside coverage through your car insurance, or manufacturer roadside information (many new cars include this for a few years) will send someone to change your tire for you. These services are worth the cost if you're uncomfortable doing the work yourself or if you're in an unsafe location. Keep the phone number for your roadside information program in your phone or written down in your car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my car's scissor jack on gravel or dirt?

Scissor jacks work best on flat, solid ground like pavement or concrete. On gravel, dirt, or sand, the jack can sink or slip, which is dangerous. If you must change a tire on soft ground, place a flat board or piece of plywood under the jack to spread the weight and keep it stable.

What size lug wrench do I need?

The size depends on your car's lug nuts, which vary by make and model. A four-way lug wrench has multiple sizes, so it works on most cars. Check your owner's manual or look at the lug nuts on your car to see the size. Most common sizes are 17mm, 19mm, and 21mm.

How often should I check my spare tire?

Check your spare tire's air pressure every few months, especially if you have a temporary spare. A flat spare is useless in an emergency. The correct pressure is printed on the sidewall of the spare tire itself, not on your regular tires. If the spare is flat, inflate it at a gas station or tire shop before you need it.

Is a tire plug a permanent fix?

No. Tire plugs are temporary repairs that may last a few months or a few thousand miles, depending on the size of the hole and how much you drive. Once you patch a tire with a plug, you should visit a tire shop to have it professionally repaired or replaced. Plugs are useful for getting you to a shop, not for long-term driving.

Do I need a breaker bar if I have a regular lug wrench?

Most of the time, no. A standard lug wrench works for most tire changes. A breaker bar is helpful if you struggle to loosen tight lug nuts or if you change tires frequently. If you find yourself straining hard to loosen lug nuts, a breaker bar is a worthwhile tool to keep in your car.