How to Change a Tire
A flat tire can happen anywhere. Knowing how to swap it safely gets you moving again and prevents roadside danger. Practice at home once so you are ready under pressure.
Before You Start
- Pull onto firm, level ground away from traffic
- Engage the parking brake and turn on hazard lights
- Place wheel chocks or a rock behind the opposite tire
- Grab the spare, jack, and lug wrench from the trunk
Jack and Loosen
Loosen the lug nuts slightly while the wheel is still on the ground. Then raise the car with the jack at the reinforced jack point until the flat clears the ground. Remove the nuts fully and take off the wheel.
Mount and Torque
Put the spare on, hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern, lower the car, then tighten fully with the wrench. Drive slowly to a shop — many spares are limited to 50 mph.
Before You Start
Pull fully off the road onto level ground, set the parking brake, and turn on hazards. Place wheel chocks or a rock behind the opposite tire so the car cannot roll. A flat on a slope is dangerous, so move first if you can.
Step by Step
- Loosen the lug nuts slightly before lifting
- Jack at the factory jack point, not the body
- Remove the nuts and the flat, mount the spare
- Snug nuts in a star pattern, lower, then torque
After the Change
Spare tires are often limited to 50 mph and short distances. Drive slowly to a shop, have the flat repaired, and re-torque the nuts after 50 miles. A loose wheel is as dangerous as the flat itself.
Common Mistakes
Lifting before loosening nuts, jacking on the body instead of the point, and forgetting the chocks are the top errors. Each can cause injury or a damaged car, so follow the order and use the marked jack point only.
If You Lack Equipment
Many new cars ship without a spare. A tire-repair kit or a roadside plan covers that gap. Know what your car carries before you need it, because a flat at night is the worst time to discover there is no spare.
DriveReady Hub — Informational only. Not affiliated with any DMV or government agency.