You can change a car tire yourself with basic tools and about 15 minutes
Changing a tire is a skill every driver should know. You will need a jack, a lug wrench, and a spare tire — all of which come standard in most vehicles. The process involves loosening the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground, raising the vehicle, removing the old tire, installing the spare, and tightening everything back down. Most people complete it in 15 to 20 minutes once they have done it once.
The hardest part is usually the initial loosening of the lug nuts, which are often very tight. Everything else is straightforward mechanical work. If you get stuck at any point, you can call roadside assistance, but knowing how to do this yourself saves you money and gets you moving faster.
Key Takeaways
- Loosen the lug nuts while the tire is still on the ground, before you raise the car with the jack.
- Raise the vehicle high enough that the new tire clears the ground by a few inches, then remove the old tire completely.
- Install the spare tire by aligning the holes and pushing it onto the lug bolts, then hand-tighten the lug nuts.
- Lower the car back to the ground and tighten the lug nuts in a star or cross pattern to ensure even pressure.
- Drive to a tire shop within a few days to have the spare replaced with a full-size tire, since spares are temporary.
Step 1: Pull over safely and gather your tools
Find a flat, stable spot away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and engage the parking brake. Open your trunk and locate your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. Most vehicles store these items together, though the spare may be mounted under the car or on the back of the vehicle instead.
Check that your spare tire has air in it by pressing on it with your hand — it should feel firm, not soft or squishy. If it is flat, you will need to call for roadside assistance. Also make sure you have enough space to work. If you are on a busy road, consider calling for help rather than working in traffic.
Step 2: Loosen the lug nuts before raising the car
This is the most important step and the one people skip at their peril. Place the lug wrench on one of the lug nuts and turn it counterclockwise. You are not removing the nuts yet — just breaking them loose so they turn freely. The nuts will be tight, so you may need to use your full body weight or step on the wrench to get them moving.
Loosen all five lug nuts (or however many your vehicle has) by about a quarter turn each. Leave them on the wheel for now. If you raise the car before loosening them, the wheel will spin freely and you will not be able to break them loose at all.
Step 3: Raise the vehicle with the jack
Locate the jacking point on your vehicle — this is usually a reinforced spot on the frame near the wheel you are changing. Consult your owner's manual if you are unsure where it is. Position the jack under this point and raise the vehicle until the tire is about six inches off the ground. You want enough clearance to remove the old tire and install the spare, but not so high that the car feels unstable.
Never work under a car supported only by a jack. If you need to get under the vehicle for any reason, use jack stands as well. For a simple tire change, you should not need to go under the car, so this is mainly a safety rule to remember for future work.
Step 4: Remove the lug nuts and take off the old tire
Now that the car is raised, finish unscrewing the lug nuts by hand. Turn them counterclockwise until they come free, then set them aside in a safe place where you will not lose them — a cup or small container works well. Grab the tire with both hands and pull it straight toward you. It may take some effort to break the seal, but it will come free.
Set the old tire on the ground next to you. Do not let it roll away. If the tire is very heavy or you are struggling, it is fine to ask someone to help you hold it while you work on the lug nuts.
Step 5: Install the spare tire
Pick up the spare tire and align the holes with the lug bolts sticking out from the hub. Push the tire straight onto the bolts until it sits flush against the wheel hub. This should take some pressure but should not require excessive force. If it does not slide on easily, double-check that you have the holes lined up correctly.
Once the spare is in place, hand-tighten the lug nuts back onto the bolts. Turn them clockwise until they are snug enough that you cannot turn them by hand alone. Do not use the wrench yet — just get them started and tight enough to hold the wheel in place.
Step 6: Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts fully
Lower the jack slowly until the tire makes full contact with the ground and the car's full weight is resting on the spare. Once the car is down, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts the rest of the way. Tighten them in a star or cross pattern — if you imagine the lug nuts as the points of a star, tighten one, then skip to the opposite side, then move to an adjacent one, and so on. This ensures even pressure and prevents the wheel from sitting crooked.
Tighten each nut firmly, but do not over-tighten to the point where you are straining. They should be snug enough that you cannot turn them by hand, but you should still be able to turn them with the wrench if you apply steady pressure.
Step 7: Stow your tools and the old tire
Place the old tire, jack, and lug wrench back in your trunk. Make sure everything is secure so nothing rolls around while you drive. If your vehicle has a specific storage location for these items, use it.
Before you drive away, do a final check: walk around the car and make sure the spare tire looks seated properly and the lug nuts are all in place. It only takes a few seconds and can catch a problem before you hit the road.
Step 8: Drive to a tire shop within a few days
Spare tires are temporary solutions, not permanent replacements. Most spares are smaller than regular tires and are not designed for highway speeds or long distances. Drive to a tire shop within a few days to have your old tire repaired (if it is fixable) or replaced with a new one.
If your old tire has a small puncture in the tread, it can usually be patched for $10 to $20. If the damage is in the sidewall or the tire is too worn, you will need a replacement. A new tire typically costs $50 to $200 depending on the quality and size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot loosen the lug nuts by hand?
Lug nuts are often very tight from the factory or from a previous tire change. If the wrench is slipping or you cannot turn it, try wrapping a rag around the nut for better grip, or step on the wrench with your full body weight to increase leverage. If the nut still will not budge after a genuine effort, call roadside assistance rather than risk stripping the nut.
Can I drive on a spare tire for a long distance?
Most spare tires are rated for 50 miles per hour and 70 miles of driving. Driving faster or farther can damage the spare and leave you stranded. Treat the spare as a temporary fix to get you to a tire shop, not as a replacement tire for daily driving.
What if my car does not have a spare tire?
Some newer vehicles come with tire repair kits or run-flat tires instead of spares. Check your owner's manual to see what your vehicle includes. If you have a repair kit, follow the instructions included with it. If you have run-flat tires, you can drive on them even after a puncture, but you should still get to a tire shop as soon as possible.
Do I need to tighten the lug nuts again after driving?
Yes. After driving a few miles on a newly installed tire, pull over in a safe spot and re-tighten the lug nuts using the star pattern. This takes only a minute and ensures they have not loosened from the vibration of driving.
What should I do if the jack fails while the car is raised?
Do not try to catch or support the car. Get out of the way immediately and call roadside assistance. Attempting to rescue the car or yourself can result in serious injury. Once help arrives, they can safely lower the vehicle and assess any damage.