What you need before you start

You will need a spare tyre, a jack, a lug wrench (the cross-shaped tool that loosens wheel bolts), and a wheel wedge or heavy object to block the wheels. Most cars come with these in the boot. Check your owner's manual to find them — they are often under the floor panel or in a compartment on the side wall.

You also need a flat, stable surface. Pull over away from traffic if possible, or drive slowly to a car park or quiet road. Soft ground like grass or gravel can cause the jack to sink, so find pavement or hard earth. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers see you.

If your tyre is severely damaged — a large gash, a sidewall tear, or multiple punctures — do not attempt to change it yourself. Call roadside assistance instead. A tyre that is unsafe to drive on is unsafe to handle.

Key Takeaways

  • Loosen the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground, then jack up the car and remove the wheel completely.
  • The spare tyre goes on the same bolts; hand-tighten the lug nuts first, then lower the car and tighten them fully in a star pattern.
  • A temporary spare (the small donut tyre) is not designed for highway speeds or long distances — drive slowly to a tyre shop to have it repaired or replaced.
  • If you do not have a spare, a jack, or a lug wrench, call roadside assistance rather than attempting the change.
  • After changing a tyre, have the wheel checked within a few days to make sure the bolts are tight and the spare is holding air.

Loosen the lug nuts before jacking

This step is easy to skip and hard to recover from. While all four wheels are still on the ground, use the lug wrench to turn each bolt counterclockwise one full turn. You are not removing them yet — just breaking the seal so they turn freely. The car's weight keeps the wheel from spinning while you do this.

If a bolt is stuck, apply penetrating oil (like WD-40) and wait five minutes, then try again. Do not force it hard enough to strip the bolt. If it will not budge, call for roadside assistance — a stuck bolt often means the wheel was over-tightened at the garage, and forcing it can damage the car.

Jack up the car and remove the wheel

Place the jack under the car's frame near the punctured wheel. Your owner's manual shows the exact spot — it is usually a reinforced notch on the underside of the car. Never jack under the plastic bumper or the thin metal of the door. Position a wheel wedge or heavy rock behind one of the wheels that is still on the ground to prevent the car from rolling.

Pump or crank the jack until the punctured wheel is about 15 centimetres (6 inches) off the ground. Now finish unscrewing the lug nuts by hand and set them in a safe place where they will not roll away — a cup or small container works well. Remove the wheel by pulling it straight toward you and set it flat on the ground.

Install the spare tyre

Align the holes on the spare with the bolts on the car. This takes a moment — the holes are not perfectly round, so there is only one way the wheel fits. Lift the spare into place and push it on firmly. The wheel should sit flush against the hub (the metal centre).

Hand-tighten all the lug nuts onto the bolts. They should go on easily; if one is hard to thread, remove it and check that the hole and bolt are clean. Once all five nuts are hand-tight, you can lower the car.

Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts fully

Crank or pump the jack to lower the car until the wheel touches the ground and the car's full weight is on the spare. Remove the jack completely. Now use the lug wrench to tighten each bolt fully, working in a star pattern — if the bolts are at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, tighten 12, then 6, then 3, then 9. This keeps the wheel centred as you tighten.

Tighten firmly but do not over-tighten. You should feel resistance, but you should not need to stand on the wrench or use all your strength. Over-tightening makes the bolts hard to remove next time and can damage the wheel.

Temporary spares need immediate attention

If your spare is a small donut tyre (the narrow temporary spare), it is not meant for normal driving. These tyres are designed to get you to a garage, not to be driven at motorway speeds or for long distances. The tread wears quickly, and they can overheat.

Drive slowly — no faster than 80 kilometres per hour (50 miles per hour) — directly to a tyre shop. Do not make other stops or take a long route. Have the punctured tyre repaired or replaced, and put the full-size tyre back on as soon as possible. Check your owner's manual for the maximum distance a temporary spare is rated for; most are good for 70 to 100 kilometres (45 to 65 miles).

After you have changed the tyre

Within a few days, visit a garage or tyre shop to have the wheel checked. They will confirm that the lug nuts are tight, that the spare is holding air pressure, and that the punctured tyre can be repaired or needs to be replaced. If you used a temporary spare, this is when you swap it back for the full-size tyre.

If the punctured tyre has a small puncture in the tread (not the sidewall), it can usually be repaired for a small fee. If the damage is large, in the sidewall, or if there are multiple punctures, the tyre must be replaced. A garage can advise you on whether repair or replacement makes sense for your tyre's age and condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have a spare tyre?

Some newer cars come with a tyre repair kit instead of a spare. Follow the kit's instructions — it usually involves injecting sealant into the tyre and driving slowly to a garage. If you have neither a spare nor a kit, call roadside assistance. Do not attempt to drive on a flat tyre; it damages the wheel rim and makes the problem worse.

Can I change a tyre in the rain or at night?

Yes, but take extra care. Wet ground makes the jack less stable, so find the firmest surface you can. At night, use your car's interior light, a torch, or ask another person to hold a light. Wear a high-visibility vest if you have one so other drivers see you. If traffic is heavy or visibility is very poor, it is safer to call roadside assistance and wait inside the car.

What if the lug nuts are too tight to loosen by hand?

Use the full length of the lug wrench for more leverage — do not stand on it or hit it with a hammer, as this can strip the bolt. If it still will not turn, apply penetrating oil and wait ten minutes. If the bolt remains stuck after that, call roadside assistance. A mechanic has tools to remove stuck bolts without damaging them.

Do I need to tighten the lug nuts again after driving?

Yes. After driving 20 to 30 kilometres on a newly changed wheel, stop and check that all the lug nuts are still tight. Use the lug wrench to confirm each one — they can loosen slightly as the wheel settles. This is a quick check and worth doing to make sure the wheel stays secure.

What if my car has locking lug nuts?

Locking lug nuts require a special key to remove. This key should be in your boot with the spare tyre and jack. If you cannot find it, check your owner's manual or call your car's manufacturer with your registration number — they can tell you where it is or help you get a replacement. Without the key, you cannot remove the wheel, so call roadside assistance if you have lost it.