How to Change a Flat Tire

Find a safe place to stop

The moment you notice a flat, slow down and pull over to a flat, level, solid surface — ideally a parking lot or a wide shoulder — away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights, set the parking brake, and if you have one, place a warning triangle or flares behind the car. Safety comes first.

Gather your tools

Locate your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. They're usually under the trunk floor or beneath the rear of the car — your owner's manual shows exactly where. Some cars have a tire repair kit and inflator instead of a spare. Know what you have before you need it, not after.

Loosen the lug nuts first

Before you lift the car, use the lug wrench to loosen — but not remove — the lug nuts, turning them counterclockwise. They'll be tight, so you may need to push down with your weight. Doing this while the wheel is still on the ground keeps it from spinning.

Lift the car correctly

Place the jack under the car's designated lift point — a reinforced spot near the flat tire, shown in your owner's manual. Never place the jack under the body or a suspension arm, which can bend or slip. Raise the car just enough that the flat tire clears the ground.

Remove the flat and install the spare

Remove the loosened lug nuts, set them aside, and pull the flat tire straight off. Lift the spare onto the hub, lining up the studs with the holes, and push it on. Thread the lug nuts back on by hand, snugging them until the wheel sits flush.

Lower and tighten in a star pattern

Lower the jack so the tire touches the ground, then tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern — not around the circle — to seat the wheel evenly. Once the car is fully on the ground, give each nut a final firm tighten. A wheel tightened in a star pattern stays true.

Check the spare's pressure

Spare tires lose air over time, so check the pressure before you drive on it — and top it up if needed. A spare that's been in the trunk for years may be low or flat, which defeats the purpose. A quick check now prevents another roadside stop.

Know your spare's limits

A full-size spare can be driven like a normal tire, but many cars have a compact "donut" spare that's meant only for short distances at low speed — usually under 50 mph and for 50 miles or less. Your manual lists the limit. Get the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Practice before you need it

The worst time to learn to change a tire is on a dark, rainy roadside. Practice once at home — in daylight, on flat ground — so you know where everything is and how it works. A practice run turns a roadside emergency into a routine task you can handle calmly.

Get the flat fixed or replaced

A spare is temporary, so have the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as you can. Many flats — like a nail in the tread — can be patched for a small fee, while sidewall damage means a new tire. Driving on the spare longer than recommended risks another failure.

Once the flat is fixed, put it back and stow the spare properly, so you're ready for next time. A complete job includes restoring your car to its normal setup.