What you need before you start

You can change a tire yourself if you have the right tools and a safe place to work. Most cars come with a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench in the trunk or under the rear seat. Check your owner's manual to find where yours are stored — the location varies by vehicle.

Before you attempt a tire change, make sure you are parked on a flat, stable surface away from traffic. If you are on a highway, pull as far onto the shoulder as possible and turn on your hazard lights. If you cannot find a safe spot, stay in the car with your seatbelt on and call roadside information instead.

You will also need to know what size tire your car uses. This information is printed on the driver's side door jamb and in your owner's manual. The spare tire may be smaller than your regular tires — this is normal, and you can drive on it, but you should have the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a jack, lug wrench, and spare tire, all of which should be in your trunk or under the rear seat.
  • Loosen the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground, then raise the car with the jack before removing the wheel.
  • A spare tire is a temporary fix — have the flat tire repaired or replaced within a few days of changing it.
  • If you are on a busy highway or do not feel safe working on the roadside, call roadside information instead of attempting the change yourself.
  • Some newer cars have run-flat tires or no spare tire at all, so check your owner's manual before you need to change a tire.

Loosen the lug nuts before raising the car

With the car still on the ground, use the lug wrench to loosen (but do not remove) the lug nuts that hold the wheel in place. Turn the wrench counterclockwise. You may need to explore firm pressure — these nuts are often tight. Loosen all of them a quarter turn or so, then move on to the next step. Doing this while the car is still on the ground prevents the wheel from spinning when you try to loosen the nuts.

Once the lug nuts are loose, position the jack under the car's frame near the flat tire. Your owner's manual shows the correct jacking points — using the wrong spot can damage the car or cause it to slip off the jack. Raise the car until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground.

Remove the flat tire and install the spare

Now that the car is raised, finish unscrewing the lug nuts by hand and set them somewhere you will not lose them — a cup holder or the hubcap works well. Pull the wheel straight toward you to remove it from the hub. It may be stuck; if so, rock it gently side to side or tap the rim with the heel of your hand.

Lift the spare tire and line up the holes on the wheel with the bolts on the hub. Push the wheel onto the bolts as far as it will go. Hand-thread the lug nuts back on and tighten them as much as you can by hand, working in a star or cross pattern (opposite sides, not around in a circle). This keeps the wheel centered.

Lower the car and finish tightening

Lower the car back to the ground by turning the jack handle counterclockwise. Once all four wheels are on the ground, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts the rest of the way. Again, work in a star pattern — tighten one nut, skip to the opposite side, tighten that one, and so on. This prevents the wheel from sitting crooked.

Tighten the nuts firmly, but do not use all your strength. If you over-tighten them, they can be very difficult to remove the next time, and you risk damaging the wheel studs. A good rule of thumb is to tighten until you feel solid resistance, then give each nut a quarter turn more.

Check the spare tire pressure and plan your next step

Before you drive away, check the pressure in the spare tire if you have a tire pressure gauge. Spare tires, especially compact ones, can lose pressure over time. If the pressure is very low, the spare may not be safe to drive on — in that case, call roadside information to tow you to a repair shop.

Drive slowly to the nearest tire shop or gas station. Most spare tires are temporary and should not be driven more than 70 miles per hour or more than 70 miles total. Some are rated for longer distances, so check your owner's manual. Have the flat tire repaired or replaced within a few days. If the tire cannot be repaired, you will need to buy a new one.

What to do if you cannot change the tire yourself

If you do not have the tools, are not comfortable working on the roadside, or are in an unsafe location, call roadside information. Most auto insurance policies include roadside information coverage, and many roadside information memberships (like AAA) cover tire changes. Have your policy number or membership number ready when you call.

If you do not have roadside information, you can call a local towing company or a tire shop that offers mobile service. This will cost money, but it is safer than attempting a change in bad weather, heavy traffic, or darkness. Keep the phone numbers of a few local tow services in your phone or glove box for emergencies.

Special cases: run-flat tires and cars without spares

Some newer vehicles come with run-flat tires that can be driven on even after they lose pressure. If your car has run-flat tires, you may not have a spare tire at all. Check your owner's manual — if you have run-flats, you do not need to change the tire on the roadside. Instead, drive carefully to a tire shop and have the tire replaced there.

A few luxury and electric vehicles have no spare tire and no run-flats. These cars come with a tire repair kit or sealant canister instead. The kit includes instructions specific to your car — follow them exactly. If the kit does not work or you are unsure how to use it, call roadside information.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can, but it is harder and more dangerous. If it is raining heavily or you cannot see well, stay in the car with your hazard lights on and call roadside information instead. Wet roads and poor visibility make it harder to stay safe from passing traffic.

What if the lug nuts are stuck and I cannot loosen them?

explore penetrating oil (like WD-40) around the base of each nut and let it soak for a few minutes. Try again with firm, steady pressure on the wrench — do not jerk or hammer it. If they still will not budge, call roadside information rather than risk stripping the nuts or hurting yourself.

How long can I drive on a spare tire?

Most compact spares are rated for 50 to 70 miles at speeds under 50 mph. Full-size spares can usually go longer. Check your owner's manual for your car's specific limits. Driving faster or farther than recommended can damage the spare or cause it to fail.

Do I need to balance or align the wheel after changing the tire?

Not when ready. A spare tire is temporary, so balancing is not necessary. Once you have the flat tire repaired or replaced, the shop will balance it as part of the service. If you notice vibration or pulling after the change, have the alignment checked when you replace the tire.

What should I keep in my car in case I get a flat?

Keep the jack, lug wrench, and spare tire that came with your car. You can also carry a tire pressure gauge, a flashlight with extra batteries, work gloves, and a reflective vest. These items take up little space and make a roadside tire change safer and easier.