What you need before you start
Changing a tire requires four things: a spare tire (usually in your trunk or mounted underneath), a jack (a mechanical device that lifts the car), a lug wrench (a cross-shaped tool that removes the bolts holding the wheel), and a wheel wedge or heavy object to block the wheels. Most cars come with all of these except the wedge — a brick, rock, or piece of wood works. You do not need special tools or training; the process takes 15 to 30 minutes for most people the first time.
Before you need to change a tire, open your trunk and locate these items. Check that your spare tire has air in it — a flat spare is useless. If you have never seen your jack or lug wrench, find them now so you are not searching in the dark on the side of a road.
Key Takeaways
- Park on a flat, stable surface away from traffic, turn on hazard lights, and block the wheels with a wedge or heavy object before lifting the car.
- Loosen the lug nuts by a half-turn while the tire is still on the ground, then use the jack to lift the car until the tire clears the ground by a few inches.
- Remove the lug nuts completely, take off the damaged tire, and slide the spare tire onto the wheel bolts, then hand-tighten the lug nuts.
- Lower the car back to the ground, tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern with the wrench, and drive to a tire shop to have the spare inspected and the damaged tire repaired or replaced.
Finding a safe place to stop
Pull as far away from traffic as possible. If you are on a highway, get off the road entirely if you can — a parking lot, rest area, or side street is safer than the shoulder. If you must stop on the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights immediately so other drivers see you.
Once stopped, turn off the engine and set the parking brake. Place your wheel wedge or heavy object in front of and behind one of the wheels that is not being changed — this prevents the car from rolling while you work. If you are on a slope, wedge the downhill wheels.
Loosening the lug nuts before lifting
This step is critical and most people skip it. While the tire is still on the ground and bearing the car's weight, use your lug wrench to loosen each lug nut by turning it counterclockwise. You are not removing them yet — just breaking them free by a half-turn. The car's weight makes this much easier; if you wait until the tire is in the air, the wheel will spin and you will struggle.
A lug wrench has four sockets, one on each end of the cross. Try each size until one fits snugly over a nut. Turn counterclockwise firmly but not with all your strength — you are just breaking the seal. Once all five nuts (or four, depending on your car) are loose, you can proceed to lifting.
Lifting the car with the jack
Locate the jacking point on your car — this is a reinforced spot on the frame where the jack is meant to go. Your owner's manual shows the exact location, but it is usually a small notch or raised area on the frame just behind the front wheel or just in front of the rear wheel. Placing the jack anywhere else can damage the car or cause it to slip.
Position the jack under the jacking point and begin pumping or turning the handle (depending on your jack type) to lift the car. Raise it until the tire is about six inches off the ground — high enough that you can remove the tire and fit the spare on, but not so high that the car is unstable. Stop and check that the car feels secure before you continue.
Removing the old tire and installing the spare
Now finish unscrewing the lug nuts by hand and set them somewhere you will not lose them — a cup or small container works well. Remove the tire by pulling it straight toward you. It is heavier than you might expect, so brace yourself or set it on the ground nearby rather than dropping it.
Align the spare tire with the wheel bolts (the metal posts sticking out where the tire was) and slide it on. The bolts should pass through the holes in the spare. Once the spare is seated, hand-tighten the lug nuts as much as you can — do not use the wrench yet. This holds the spare in place while you lower the car.
Lowering the car and tightening properly
Lower the car back to the ground by reversing the jack motion. Once all four wheels are on the ground and the car is resting on its own weight, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts. Tighten them in a star pattern — if you imagine the lug nuts as points on a star, tighten the top one, then the bottom one, then the left one, then the right one, then the top-left one, and so on. This distributes pressure evenly and prevents the wheel from sitting crooked.
Tighten each nut firmly with the wrench, but do not use all your strength — you are not trying to crush them. A firm, steady turn is enough. Once all nuts are snug, pack up your tools and remove the wheel wedges.
What to do after you change the tire
A spare tire is a temporary fix, not a permanent replacement. Most spares are smaller and lighter than regular tires and are not meant for highway speeds or long distances. Drive to a tire shop as soon as possible — within a day or two — to have the damaged tire repaired or replaced and the spare removed.
When you get to the shop, tell them you are using a spare so they know to prioritize your repair. Many shops will rotate your tires at the same time, which extends the life of all four. Keep the damaged tire in your trunk until it is fixed, in case you need it later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the lug nuts are stuck and I cannot loosen them?
Spray them with penetrating oil (like WD-40) and wait 10 to 15 minutes for the oil to soak in. Try again with steady pressure rather than jerking motions. If you still cannot budge them, call a tow truck — forcing a stuck nut can break your wrench or damage the bolt.
Can I drive on a spare tire at highway speeds?
Most spare tires are rated for 50 miles per hour maximum. Driving faster can damage the spare and cause a blowout. Keep your speed down and get to a tire shop quickly. If you must drive on the highway, stay in the right lane and avoid sudden maneuvers.
What if my car does not have a spare tire?
Some newer cars come with a tire repair kit instead — a small canister of sealant that you inject into the tire to plug the hole temporarily. Follow the instructions on the kit. Others have run-flat tires that can be driven on even when flat. Check your owner's manual to see what your car has.
Do I need to retighten the lug nuts after driving on the spare?
Yes. After driving a few miles on the spare, stop and retighten the lug nuts with the wrench using the same star pattern. The tire may have settled slightly, and this ensures everything stays secure.