How to Change a Tire

Guide Note

Sooner or later, it's likely you'll get a flat. Until technology improves, you're probably going to be stuck changing that tire. This page will tell you exactly how to change a tire.

Table of Contents

Introduction

  • No one wants or needs a flat tire. If you do get one, however, don't get all flustered — changing a tire is as easy as buying groceries or going to the gym.
Make sure you have a spare tire (Photo by Mahalo)
Make sure you have a spare tire (Photo by Mahalo)
  • How do you know you’re losing precious air pressure or if the tire’s already gone?!
  1. Your car’s computer system informs you “Flat Tire!” (only for those in luxury vehicles).
  2. You hear a continuous and unusual thumping sound, and there are no kids or animals in the car.
  3. The steering wheel pulls towards the right or left (depending on the side the flat tire’s on).
  4. The car feels unbalanced.
  5. Someone outside your own vehicle yells at you, “You’ve got a flat!”
  • Flat tires can happen anytime, anywhere. It’s best to be prepared with a membership to AAA, speed dial to a dear friend who’ll help you, or, better yet, specific directions on how to fix it, like ours below.

Step 1: Things You'll Need to Change a Tire

  • Before you go on your next drive, make sure you have these things in your car. You'll need them if you get a flat.
  1. Owner’s manual: informs you where your tools are and how to use them.
  2. Spare tire: make sure it’s in good condition.
    • Never let a flat tire or a really old spare sit in your trunk. Have your spare tire checked periodically and you'll be ready to roll should a flat occur.
    • If your car comes with a smaller sized spare tire, or “doughnut,” you’ll be limited to driving under 50 miles per hour with it.
  3. Fix a Flat: fills your flat temporarily until you can get somewhere for help.
  4. Jack and wrench: needed to raise the car and loosen lug nuts.
  5. Flashlight: necessary if it’s night or you’re stuck in a space with little light.
  6. Road flares: notifies other drivers to slow down.
  7. Gloves: keeps your hands warm if cold, protects them from cuts and provides grip.

Step 2: First Things First

  • In order to proceed with the task of changing a tire, you must first take precautions and make sure you and your passengers are safe. There’s always the chance that an accident or incident can occur when you pull over, so be aware of your surroundings and make yourself visible to others. Not only can other cars crash into you, but you can also be the victim of robbery, kidnapping or even murder. It’s great when good Samaritans lend a helping hand, but always be wary of strangers.
Use your feet if necessary (Photo by Mahalo)
Use your feet if necessary (Photo by Mahalo)

Run Flat Tires

  • If you have higher performance run flat tires, which are specially designed tires that holds itself and the car up even after blowout, puncture, etc., congratulations! You don't need to pull over.
  1. If you drive at 50 miles per hour or less, you can drive up to 100 miles to get to help.
  2. Your steering / handling is more stable than with a normal flat, but it's not guaranteed - be cautious!
  3. There's no need to change your tire; most likely you will not have a spare in the car.
  4. You will need to have the tire replaced, and it can only be replaced by tire dealers and mechanics with special equipment.

Normal Tires


VideoJug: How To Change A Tire
  • For those of us with blue collar wheels:
  1. Turn on your hazard lights (it’s the button with the red triangle).
  2. Look for a place to pull over your car.
    • Don’t just swerve to the side before looking to see if there is a car next to you!
    • Never just stop the car in the middle of the road!
    • If it is nighttime, try to pull over next to a street lamp or well lit spot. This is both for your own safety and so you can see what you're doing.
    • Either use the right shoulder of a highway or pull into an empty space as in your local fast food restaurant parking lot or rest stop.
    • Do not park your car on a downhill or uphill slope, or the exit ramp of a highway. Use level ground or you’re asking for trouble!
  3. Once parked, put your car in park if you drive an automatic.
  4. If you have a manual transmission or stick shift, keep your car in gear.
  5. Turn off your car.
  6. Put on your parking brake.
  7. Friends, family members and animals should exit the vehicle. It is going to be hoisted off the ground, and they're safer outside than in.

Step 3: Prepping for the Task

  • Make sure you review your driver’s manual for guidance. If you’re missing a tool or equipment necessary to change the tire, do not pull a MacGyver and come up with something such as your necktie, hair pin, gum wrapper, or whatever else you imagine could facilitate the job. It could lead to a far bigger and more dangerous disaster. If there is anyone you can call to help you, call them ASAP. If there a passenger who’s changed a tire before and can assist you or take control, let them.
Have a jack in your car (Photo by Mahalo)
Have a jack in your car (Photo by Mahalo)
  1. If you’re on the highway, time is of the essence. You need to drive carefully and get off the shoulder, because other drivers may not see you.
  2. If you can’t find a safe spot to park your vehicle with enough room to change a tire, don’t force the issue. Even if you have to wait a while for help, it’s best to do so. Call a friend, 411 or even the police and let them know your situation.
  3. Do you have Fix-A-Flat Spray Foam? If you do, then no need for the spare tire and tools. Just follow its directions.
  4. If you don't have Fix-A-Flat, find your owner’s manual. Each car is different, and locations of spare tire and tools may vary. Your manual is the map to your car.
  5. Put on the gloves, and use a flashlight at night.
  6. Find and place the spare tire, wrench and car jack outside the car, next to the tire with the flat.
  7. Do not listen to music or watch a video on your iPod while changing your tire, as you’ll need all your senses focused on the task at hand.

Step 4: Now Roll Up Your Sleeves Cause It’s Going to Get Dirty

  • You didn’t think this was going to be a clean job, did you? Steel, rubber, and grease are all involved so expect cuts, bruises, and dirt all over your hands. A helping hand is always great, but keep young children away from the road and the car. Passengers who can’t help change the tire can always serve as lookouts for oncoming traffic or danger. They can also assist you by reading the directions from Mahalo or from your manual.
  1. Prevent the car from moving by placing bricks, large rocks or block-like heavy items in front of and behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite the flat.
  2. Take off the hubcap (if your car has hubcaps).
  3. Place the wrench (it looks like a boomerang or an L, comes in many different sizes) over the lug nut.
  4. Turn the wrench counter-clockwise or to the left, loosening the lug nuts. Don't remove them completely! Just loosen them.
  5. Place the jack underneath the car.
    • For rear tires, the spot is usually in front of the tire.
    • For front tires, the location is usually behind the tire.
    • Use your owner’s manual to find the precise spot to place the jack.
    • If you have lost your owner’s manual, make sure the jack is placed on the inner frame of the car, such as on a steel plate, and not on the outside body, such as a running board or fender.
  6. Place the handle into the slot opening in the jack, if necessary.
  7. Turn the handle to lift the car into place.
    • Remove lugnuts once the car is jacked up (Photo by Mahalo)
      Remove lugnuts once the car is jacked up (Photo by Mahalo)
    • Most jacks require the handle to turn clockwise.
  8. Remove the lug nuts. Place them in your pockets or purse, inside the hubcap, or on the floor of your car so you don’t lose them. They can roll away!
  9. Using two hands, remove the flat tire from its shaft, lifting it off carefully so as not to damage the mechanism.
    • Make sure you use your legs and bend your knees so you don’t hurt your back. Tires are not light!
  10. Place the spare tire on the shaft, lining up the holes with the lugs (the shafts that the lug nuts were on).
    • This is the toughest part of the process. If you've got a friend or family member there, now's the time to ask them to lend a hand!
    • Make sure you’re placing the spare tire on the car with the air valve facing you. Otherwise, it’s backwards.
  11. Place the lug nuts back on the tire shafts and screw them back on clockwise (to the right) until they stop turning easily.
  12. Use the jack to lower the car to the ground.
  13. Now, use the wrench and tighten the lug nuts until they yell, “I can’t breathe.” Keep checking each one to make sure they are secured.
    • Too tight to tighten it more with your hand? Place the wrench on the lug nut so the handle is sticking out to the right and use your foot to get them extra snug.
    • Car Talk recommends after you tighten the first, the next one you tighten should be diagonally opposite the first, the third should be diagonally opposite the second, and so forth until you're done.
  14. If you have a hubcap, now is the time to replace it.

Step 5: The Clean Up

  • Were those lug nuts screwed on tight? Is your tire on correctly? Are you 100% sure all the directions were followed? If so, congratulations. Let’s get back on the road.
  1. Return the flat tire back in the spare tire spot if it will fit; if not, place it on the floor of the trunk.
  2. Place the wrench and jack where you found them — you'll want to be able to find them again someday!
  3. Remove your gloves.
    • If you weren't wearing gloves, you'll want to rinse off your hands somehow, as they are probably very dirty.
  4. If you have trash, take it with you or throw it away. Do not leave items on the road.
  5. Start your engine.
  6. Take the parking brake off.
  7. Turn off the hazard lights as you get back on the road.
  8. If you have a "doughnut" small spare, head to the nearest car repair shop to get it replaced.
    • If it's night, head home until the tire store opens. You can't drive for long on a doughnut.
  9. If you have a full-sized spare, make sure you either fix the flat or get a new spare tire for the car. You don’t want to get another flat and be stuck on the road with a flat spare!
  10. Remember to keep your tires inflated to the proper air pressure.

Resources for How to Change a Tire

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