What you need before you start
Changing a tire requires four things: a jack (a device that lifts the car), a lug wrench (a cross-shaped tool that removes wheel bolts), a spare tire, and a flat surface. Most cars come with all of these in the trunk. Check your owner's manual to find where they are stored — the location varies by make and model.
Before you begin, move your car to a safe, level spot away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. If you are on a highway, pull as far from the road as possible. Do not attempt this on a slope or soft ground like gravel or dirt, which can cause the jack to slip.
If your spare tire is flat or damaged, you cannot use it. Check the tire pressure before you need it — a spare tire loses air over time. If it is low, take it to a gas station and inflate it to the pressure listed on the tire itself (not the door jamb pressure, which is for your regular tires).
Key Takeaways
- Loosen the lug nuts while the tire is still on the ground, then use the jack to lift the car before removing them completely.
- Remove the flat tire by pulling it straight toward you, then line up the holes on the spare and push it onto the wheel bolts.
- Hand-tighten the lug nuts first, lower the car, then use the lug wrench to tighten them in a star pattern for even pressure.
- After changing the tire, drive slowly to a tire shop or gas station to have the lug nuts torqued to the correct tightness — hand-tightening is temporary only.
Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car
Place the lug wrench on one of the bolts holding the wheel in place. These bolts are called lug nuts. Push down on the wrench handle with your foot or body weight to turn the nut counterclockwise. You are not trying to remove it completely — just break it loose so it turns freely.
Work around the wheel in a star pattern: loosen the top nut, then the bottom nut, then the left nut, then the right nut, then the remaining one. This pattern prevents the wheel from tilting as you loosen each nut. Loosen all five (or four, depending on your car) before you lift the car. If you wait until after lifting, the wheel will spin and you cannot get leverage.
Lift the car with the jack
Locate the jack point — a reinforced spot on the frame directly under the wheel you are changing. Your owner's manual shows exactly where this is. It is usually a small notch or raised area along the side of the car. Place the jack under this point, not under the plastic trim or the door.
Pump or crank the jack handle (depending on whether you have a hydraulic or scissor jack) until the tire is about six inches off the ground. You need enough clearance to remove the flat tire and slide the spare on. Do not go higher than necessary — a higher lift is less stable.
Once the car is lifted, finish removing the lug nuts by hand. Place them in a cup or small container so you do not lose them. They are small and easy to drop in grass or gravel.
Remove the flat tire and install the spare
Grip the tire with both hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and pull it straight toward you. It will come off the wheel bolts. Set it flat on the ground behind you so it does not roll away.
Pick up the spare tire and align the holes around its center with the wheel bolts sticking out from the car. This takes a moment — the holes must line up or the tire will not slide on. Once aligned, push the spare straight onto the bolts. It should slide on smoothly without forcing.
Hand-tighten each lug nut onto the bolts. Do not use the wrench yet. Tighten them by hand until they are snug — you should feel resistance but not need to strain. This keeps the spare from falling off when you lower the car.
Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts
Slowly lower the car by reversing the jack motion. Lower it until the tire touches the ground and the car's full weight rests on it. Do not lower it completely onto the jack — lower it so the tire is firmly on the ground but the jack is still supporting some weight.
Now use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts. Work in the same star pattern you used to loosen them: top, bottom, left, right, remaining. Tighten each one firmly, but do not use all your strength — you can overtighten and damage the bolt or make it impossible to remove later. Tighten until you feel solid resistance, then stop.
Once all five lug nuts are tight, finish lowering the car completely and remove the jack. Stow the flat tire, jack, and lug wrench back in the trunk.
Get the lug nuts torqued at a shop
Hand-tightening is temporary. Within a few miles, drive to a tire shop, gas station, or mechanic and ask them to torque the lug nuts — that means tightening them to the exact specification for your car. This is usually free or costs a few dollars. The correct torque is listed in your owner's manual and is measured in foot-pounds.
Lug nuts that are too loose can cause the wheel to wobble or fall off. Lug nuts that are too tight can strip the bolt or make it impossible to remove the wheel later. A torque wrench ensures they are exactly right. Do this before driving long distances or at highway speeds.
What to do with the flat tire
Do not throw away the flat tire. Take it to a tire shop and have it inspected. Many flats can be patched for $10 to $20 if the damage is in the tread and the tire is not too old. If the sidewall is damaged or the tire is worn out, it will need to be replaced.
Once the flat is repaired or replaced, put it back in your trunk as your spare. A spare tire is not meant to be a permanent solution — it is designed for short trips only. Most spares are rated for 50 miles per hour and should not be driven more than 70 miles. Replace your regular tire as soon as you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot loosen the lug nuts by hand?
Lug nuts are often very tight. If the wrench will not budge them, try placing a length of pipe over the wrench handle to extend your leverage. Push down slowly and steadily rather than jerking. If the car is still on the ground, your body weight is more effective than arm strength alone. Never hit the wrench with a hammer — you can damage it or strip the nut.
Can I change a tire on the highway?
Only if you have no other choice. Pull as far from traffic as possible, turn on hazard lights, and stay alert. If you are uncomfortable or traffic is heavy, call roadside assistance instead. Your safety is more important than changing the tire yourself.
What if the spare tire is also flat?
Call a towing service or roadside assistance. Do not drive on a flat tire — you will damage the rim and the tire beyond repair. Towing is the only safe option.
How do I know if my spare tire is good?
Check the tire pressure with a gauge at a gas station. The correct pressure is printed on the tire itself. If it is low, inflate it. Look for cracks, bulges, or visible damage on the sidewall. If the tire looks damaged or is more than ten years old, have it replaced before you need it.
Do I need to tighten the lug nuts again after driving?
Yes. After driving 50 to 100 miles on a newly changed tire, stop and check that the lug nuts are still tight. Use the lug wrench to tighten them again if needed. This catches any that may have loosened slightly during the first few miles of driving.