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How to Change a Flat Tire, Step by Step

Changing a flat tire is a lot less stressful the first time you actually do it if you already know the order of steps. Here's the process.

  1. Pull over to a safe, flat location

    Move well away from traffic onto a flat, stable surface, turn on the hazard lights, and engage the parking brake before doing anything else. Avoid changing a tire on a slope or a soft shoulder whenever possible.

  2. Locate the spare tire and tools

    Most vehicles store the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench under the trunk floor or underneath the vehicle. Check the owner's manual for the exact storage location and the correct jack points for your specific car.

  3. Loosen the lug nuts before jacking up the car

    With the flat tire still on the ground for stability, turn each lug nut counterclockwise about a quarter turn β€” just enough to break the resistance. Do not remove them fully yet.

  4. Position the jack and raise the vehicle

    Place the jack under the reinforced jack point nearest the flat tire, as specified in the owner's manual, then raise the vehicle until the flat tire is a few inches off the ground.

  5. Remove the lug nuts and the flat tire

    Finish unscrewing the already-loosened lug nuts by hand, then pull the flat tire straight off the wheel hub.

  6. Mount the spare tire

    Line up the spare with the wheel bolts, push it into place, and thread the lug nuts back on by hand in a star (crisscross) pattern before tightening any of them further.

  7. Lower the vehicle and fully tighten the lug nuts

    Lower the jack until the spare tire touches the ground but still has some weight off it, then tighten the lug nuts firmly in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and give the nuts one final tightening pass.

  8. Drive cautiously and get the flat repaired soon

    Many spare tires ("donuts") are only rated for lower speeds and shorter distances β€” check the sidewall for its specific limits and get the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as reasonably possible.

Practice matters more than memorizing the steps

The first time doing this ideally should not be on the shoulder of a busy highway in the rain. Reading through the process in advance, and even doing a practice run in a driveway, makes the real situation far less stressful when it actually happens.

When to call for help instead

If the vehicle is stopped somewhere unsafe, if there is no usable spare or jack, or if a wheel lock key cannot be found, calling roadside assistance is the safer option rather than attempting the change in a risky spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why tighten lug nuts in a star pattern instead of going around in a circle?

Tightening in a star (crisscross) pattern helps the wheel seat evenly against the hub as it is pulled in, reducing the risk of the wheel ending up slightly off-center.

How far can I drive on a compact spare tire?

It varies by vehicle, but many compact spares are limited to roughly 50 miles (80 km) and lower speeds, such as 50 mph (80 km/h) β€” check the sidewall of the specific spare and the owner's manual for its exact limits.