How to Change a Flat Tire Safely (Step-by-Step)
To change a flat tire safely, park on a firm and level surface, turn on your hazard lights, engage the parking brake, loosen the lug nuts before lifting the vehicle, raise the vehicle at the manufacturer's recommended jack point, remove the flat tire, install the spare, and tighten the lug nuts securely.
After lowering the vehicle, fully tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross or star pattern. Check the spare tire's recommended speed and distance limits before driving.
Can You Change a Flat Tire Yourself?
Yes. Most vehicles equipped with a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench can be changed without professional equipment. The most important part is making sure the vehicle is parked in a safe location and supported correctly before removing the wheel.
A flat tire should be changed as soon as it is safe to do so. Continuing to drive on a completely flat tire can damage the wheel, tire, and potentially other suspension components.
If you are stopped on a highway shoulder, near moving traffic, on a steep slope, or in another dangerous location, roadside assistance may be safer than attempting the repair yourself.
Flat Tire Safety Precautions
Changing a tire requires lifting part of the vehicle off the ground. A jack can be dangerous if it is placed incorrectly or used on unstable ground.
- Move the vehicle to a firm, level surface if possible.
- Turn on the hazard warning lights.
- Apply the parking brake.
- Put an automatic transmission in Park or a manual transmission in gear.
- Turn the engine off before lifting the vehicle.
- Keep passengers away from traffic and the vehicle while it is being lifted.
- Never place any part of your body underneath a vehicle supported only by a jack.
- Use only the manufacturer's recommended jack points.
- Keep the jack on stable, solid ground.
- Use wheel chocks if available, especially when conditions require additional wheel restraint.
Never work underneath a vehicle that is supported only by the emergency jack. If the vehicle moves or the jack fails, serious injury can occur. If you cannot safely position the vehicle, contact roadside assistance.
What You Need to Change a Flat Tire
Before starting, make sure you have the equipment supplied with your vehicle or appropriate replacement equipment:
- A spare tire or temporary compact spare
- A vehicle jack
- A lug wrench or tire iron
- Wheel chocks if available
- A flashlight if working at night
- Gloves if available
Some newer vehicles do not include a spare tire. Instead, they may provide a tire repair kit or an inflator. Check your owner's manual before assuming a spare tire is available.
How to Change a Flat Tire Step-by-Step
1. Find a Safe Place to Stop
If you notice a flat tire while driving, slow down gradually and avoid sudden steering or braking. Move to a safe location as far away from moving traffic as practical.
Ideally, stop on a firm, level surface. Avoid soft ground, steep hills, busy traffic lanes, and locations where the jack could sink or the vehicle could move.
Turn on your hazard lights and keep a safe distance from traffic.
2. Secure the Vehicle
Turn the engine off and apply the parking brake. Put an automatic transmission in Park or a manual transmission in gear.
If you have wheel chocks, place them around a wheel that will remain on the ground to help prevent the vehicle from rolling.
3. Find the Spare Tire and Tools
Locate the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. In many vehicles these are stored in the trunk or cargo area under the floor panel.
Check the spare tire for obvious damage and make sure it is properly inflated before installation if possible.
4. Remove the Wheel Cover if Necessary
If the wheel has a hubcap or plastic wheel cover that blocks access to the lug nuts, remove it according to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
Use the appropriate tool rather than forcing the cover with a screwdriver if the wheel design requires a specific removal method.
5. Loosen the Lug Nuts Before Jacking Up the Vehicle
Before lifting the vehicle, use the lug wrench to loosen each lug nut. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the nuts.
Do not remove the lug nuts completely yet. Break them loose while the tire is still firmly on the ground. This prevents the wheel from turning while you apply force to the lug wrench.
6. Position the Jack at the Correct Jack Point
Locate the manufacturer's recommended jack point near the flat tire. The exact location varies between vehicles and may be marked on the rocker panel, frame, or underbody.
Position the jack on solid, level ground and make sure it contacts the vehicle exactly where specified by the manufacturer.
Never place the jack under random suspension, exhaust, body, or plastic components. Using the wrong lifting point can damage the vehicle or cause the jack to slip.
7. Raise the Vehicle
Slowly operate the jack according to its instructions. Raise the vehicle only high enough for the flat tire to clear the ground.
Stop and check that the jack remains stable and correctly positioned throughout the lifting process.
8. Remove the Flat Tire
Once the tire is slightly off the ground, remove the loosened lug nuts completely. Keep the lug nuts together so they are not lost.
Pull the flat wheel straight toward you. If it is stuck to the hub because of corrosion, do not place yourself under the vehicle or strike the wheel in a way that could destabilize the vehicle.
9. Install the Spare Tire
Align the spare tire with the wheel studs or mounting holes and push it onto the hub.
Install the lug nuts by hand first. Make sure they engage the threads correctly and do not cross-thread.
10. Tighten the Lug Nuts by Hand
Tighten the lug nuts by hand until the wheel is held securely against the hub. Do not fully tighten them while the vehicle is still raised unless the manufacturer's instructions specifically require a different procedure.
11. Lower the Vehicle Carefully
Slowly lower the vehicle until the spare tire makes firm contact with the ground and the vehicle is stable.
Once the vehicle is safely back on the ground, remove the jack and store it away from the work area.
12. Fully Tighten the Lug Nuts
Tighten the lug nuts using the lug wrench in a crisscross or star pattern. This helps seat the wheel evenly against the hub.
If the vehicle manufacturer specifies a particular torque value, use a properly calibrated torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to that specification.
Do not rely on standing or jumping on the lug wrench to achieve maximum tightness. Over-tightening can damage wheel studs or lug nuts.
Check the Spare Tire Before Driving
Many vehicles use a compact temporary spare, often called a "donut." Temporary spares are designed to get you to a repair facility, not to replace a full-size tire permanently.
- Check the spare tire's recommended inflation pressure.
- Follow the speed limit printed on the spare tire or specified by the manufacturer.
- Follow the manufacturer's maximum distance recommendation.
- Avoid aggressive driving while using a temporary spare.
- Have the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Common Flat Tire Changing Mistakes to Avoid
Jacking the Vehicle on Soft or Uneven Ground
A jack can become unstable on soft soil, gravel, steep slopes, or uneven surfaces. Move to a firm, level location whenever it is safe to do so.
Using the Wrong Jack Point
Placing the jack under the wrong part of the vehicle can damage the underbody or cause the jack to slip. Always use the designated jack point.
Removing Lug Nuts Before Loosening Them
Loosen the lug nuts while the tire is still on the ground. Removing them after lifting the vehicle can allow the wheel to spin and make the job more difficult.
Forgetting to Tighten the Lug Nuts After Lowering the Car
The lug nuts must be securely tightened after the vehicle is lowered. If possible, verify the final torque with a torque wrench according to the manufacturer's specification.
Driving Too Fast on a Temporary Spare
Compact spare tires often have specific speed and distance restrictions. Ignoring those limits can create a serious handling and tire safety risk.
What to Do After Changing the Tire
Before driving away, make sure the spare tire is securely mounted and properly inflated. Check that all tools, the flat tire, and the jack are safely stored.
Drive cautiously and pay attention to steering, vibration, or unusual noises. If the vehicle feels unstable or the spare tire appears damaged, stop and have the vehicle inspected.
Have the original tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible rather than continuing to use a temporary spare beyond its intended limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if your vehicle has a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench and you can safely work in a secure location. If you are stopped somewhere dangerous, such as a busy highway shoulder, roadside assistance is usually the safer option.
Yes. Loosen the lug nuts while the tire is still firmly on the ground. This prevents the wheel from spinning while you apply force to the lug wrench.
Place the jack only at the vehicle manufacturer's designated lifting point. The exact location varies by vehicle, so check the owner's manual before lifting the car.
Lug nuts should be tightened to the torque specification provided by the vehicle manufacturer. A calibrated torque wrench is the best way to verify the final torque.
Follow the speed limit printed on the temporary spare tire and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions. Many compact spares have a maximum speed of 50 mph, but the correct limit varies by tire.
No. A temporary spare is designed for limited use. Follow its speed and distance restrictions, avoid aggressive driving, and replace or repair the original tire as soon as possible.