How to Change a Tire Safely, Step by Step

Changing a tire lets you replace a damaged or flat wheel with a spare so you can continue to a repair shop. Do it only if you can stop somewhere safe and stable. Check your owner’s manual before starting: vehicle lifting points, tools, and spare-tire instructions vary. If traffic, weather, soft ground, or damage makes the job unsafe, stay clear of the road and call roadside assistance.

What You’ll Need

A spare tire that fits the vehicle and is inflated to the pressure specified for it. Some vehicles have a compact temporary spare; others have a full-size spare or a tire repair kit instead.
The vehicle’s jack and lug wrench, usually stored in the trunk or cargo area. Use only the jack and lifting points specified by the manufacturer.
Wheel-lock key, if the vehicle has locking lug nuts.
Wheel chocks, or a sturdy block, to help prevent a wheel from rolling. A reflective warning device can help alert other drivers when it is safe and lawful to place one.
Gloves and a flashlight, useful for handling a dirty wheel and seeing the jacking point.

Step-by-Step

Choose a safe stopping place. Move as far from traffic as possible and stop on hard, level ground. Avoid slopes, soft shoulders, grass, and areas where the vehicle could be struck. Turn on the hazard lights. If you cannot get well clear of traffic, do not attempt the repair beside the road; contact roadside assistance.
Secure the vehicle. Put an automatic transmission in Park or a manual transmission in gear, then switch off the engine. Apply the parking brake. Keep passengers away from traffic and the work area. Place wheel chocks on the opposite end of the vehicle from the flat: for example, chock a front wheel when changing a rear tire. Do not rely on the jack to keep the vehicle from rolling.
Get the spare and tools ready. Consult the manual for the jack location, approved lifting point, and spare-tire instructions. Remove the spare and tools before raising the vehicle. Check the spare for obvious damage and make sure it is not visibly flat. If it is a compact spare, read its speed and distance limits on the tire or in the manual.
Remove the wheel cover if needed. Use the tool provided or the method described in the manual. Find the lug nuts and the wheel-lock key if there is one. Do not pry against a part that could bend or break.
Loosen the lug nuts while the tire is on the ground. Fit the wrench fully onto each nut and turn counterclockwise. Loosen each by about a quarter to half a turn; do not remove them yet. If one will not move, keep the wrench aligned and apply steady pressure. Do not jump on the wrench or use an improvised extension that could make you lose balance.
Position the jack correctly. Set it on firm, level ground directly under the lifting point identified in the manual. Make sure the jack is seated as instructed and stands upright. Never place it under an arbitrary part of the body, suspension, or frame.
Raise the vehicle. Operate the jack slowly until the flat tire is just clear of the ground. Keep your hands, feet, and body out from under the vehicle. Never crawl underneath, even briefly, and never start or run the engine while the vehicle is raised.
Remove the flat wheel. Take the lug nuts off and keep them together where they cannot roll away. Pull the wheel straight toward you. If it sticks, gently rock it from side to side while staying clear of the vehicle’s underside. Do not strike the vehicle or put any part of your body beneath it.
Fit the spare. Align its holes with the wheel studs and slide it on fully. Hand-tighten each lug nut until snug. If the nuts have a tapered end, it generally faces the wheel, but check the manual if unsure. Do not force a nut that does not thread easily; it may be misaligned or cross-threaded.
Tighten the nuts in a star pattern. Turn each nut with the wrench until snug, alternating between opposite nuts rather than tightening neighbors in sequence. This helps seat the wheel evenly. Do not apply final tightening while the tire is raised.
Lower the vehicle and finish tightening. Lower it slowly until the tire touches the ground and can no longer turn, then remove the jack as directed. Tighten the lug nuts firmly in the same star pattern. Use a torque wrench and the manufacturer’s specified torque if available; do not guess a torque value or use your full body weight on the wrench.
Stow everything and check the spare. Replace the wheel cover only if it fits the spare and the manual permits it. Secure the flat tire, jack, and tools so they cannot move. Check the spare’s pressure as soon as practical and follow its limits. Arrange repair or replacement of the damaged tire promptly; a temporary spare is not meant for ordinary, extended driving.

Common Mistakes

Working on an unstable surface: A jack can sink, slip, or tip on a slope or soft shoulder. Move to safer ground or call for help.
Using the wrong jacking point: Incorrect placement can damage the vehicle or make it fall. The owner’s manual identifies the correct point.
Removing lug nuts before loosening them: The raised wheel can spin, making the nuts harder to release. Loosen them while the tire is still on the ground.
Getting under the vehicle: A jack can fail or shift. Keep your entire body out from underneath, and never use a jack as a support stand.
Overtightening or uneven tightening: This can damage fasteners or seat the wheel unevenly. Use the specified torque and star pattern.
Ignoring spare-tire restrictions: Compact spares can have specific speed and distance limits. Read the tire markings and manual rather than assuming it drives like a regular tire.

Tips

Learn where the spare, jack, tools, and wheel-lock key are before you need them. Check the spare’s pressure and condition during routine vehicle checks.
Keep the manual’s jacking instructions accessible. Different models, including some electric vehicles, may need special lifting pads or procedures.
Take a photo of the original wheel’s orientation or note where tools were stored if that helps you put things back correctly.
After a short, safe drive, check that the lug nuts remain secure according to the vehicle maker’s instructions. Have a shop verify torque if you lack the proper tool.
If the flat resulted from a damaged wheel, multiple damaged tires, or a problem you cannot identify, do not assume fitting the spare has fixed the underlying issue.

Troubleshooting

The lug nuts will not loosen: Confirm you are turning counterclockwise and that the wrench is fully seated. Keep the vehicle on the ground. If the nuts remain stuck, avoid sudden force or unsafe extensions and call for assistance.
The jack will not lift the car: Stop and lower it if possible. Check that it is assembled and positioned as the manual directs and that the ground is firm and level. Never put blocks under a jack unless the manufacturer specifically allows it.
The wheel will not come off: Make sure all lug nuts are removed. Rock the wheel gently while standing clear; if it remains stuck, get professional help rather than striking it forcefully.
A lug nut will not thread or the wheel will not sit flush: Do not force it. Remove the nut, realign the wheel, and try by hand. If the threads appear damaged or the wheel will not seat properly, lower the car safely if possible and call for help.
The spare is flat, damaged, or missing: Do not drive on it. Use a repair kit only if the manual says it is suitable for the damage and you can follow its instructions safely; otherwise contact roadside assistance.
The vehicle shifts or the jack tilts: Do not reach under it or try to catch it. Move away, keep others clear, and call for professional help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a tire on the shoulder of a busy road?

Only if the vehicle is well clear of traffic and on firm, level ground. If you cannot work safely away from moving vehicles, stay in a safe place and call roadside assistance.

How long can I drive on a temporary spare?

Follow the speed and distance limits printed on the spare and stated in the owner’s manual. Replace or repair the regular tire as soon as practical.

Do I need to loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car?

Yes. Loosen them slightly while the tire is still on the ground, then remove them after raising the vehicle. Tighten them firmly only after lowering the vehicle enough to keep the wheel from turning.

Should I use a torque wrench?

Yes, if available. Set it to the torque specified by the vehicle manufacturer; if you do not know the correct value, check the manual or ask a qualified tire shop rather than guessing.

What if my car has no spare tire?

Some vehicles come with a tire repair kit or rely on roadside assistance instead. Check the manual for the approved procedure, and do not drive on a flat tire unless the vehicle maker explicitly permits it.

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

Darkness, rain, wind, and poor visibility can make the job more dangerous, especially near traffic. Use a flashlight if conditions are otherwise safe; if the ground or visibility is inadequate, call for help.

Further reading: NHTSA. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.