Flat Tire – Now What?
Every driver should know how to change a tire. To learn how to do so, start by practicing in a safe and supervised situation with the following steps.
If possible, pull off the traveled portion of the roadway. Turn on the hazard lights and use warning devices, such as triangles. Once your car is on a level area away from traffic, put the gearshift in park (or reverse for a stick-shift vehicle) and set the parking brake.
Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for proper wheel chocking, use of jack, and tire replacement. Then, proceed to take out the spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and wheel chocks. At this time, you should have any passengers get out of the car and move to a safe place away from the roadway.
Block the wheel that’s diagonally opposite the flat tire with two wheel chocks. Place one in front of the wheel and the other firmly behind it. This will prevent the vehicle from rolling once it’s raised up by the jack.
Assemble the jack and position it under the vehicle. Jack up the vehicle partway so that the flat tire still touches the ground and can’t turn. Then, loosen the lug nuts (the devices that hold the wheel to the car) using the lug wrench.
Jack up the vehicle until the tire completely clears the ground. Remove the lug nuts so you can remove the wheel with the flat tire. Once the flat tire is out of the way, mount the wheel with the spare tire and rock it gently into position. Then, replace and tighten the lug nuts.
Lastly, lower the vehicle slowly and remove the jack. Tighten the lug nuts once more before putting all your tire changing equipment back into the trunk.
Remember to replace or repair the flat tire as soon as possible! If your spare tire is a temporary or compact spare, drive on it only as necessary.
Frequently asked questions
What's the first thing I should do when I get a flat tire?
Get to a safe spot before doing anything else. If possible, pull off the traveled portion of the roadway onto a level area away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and set out warning devices like reflective triangles if you have them. Put the gearshift in park, or in reverse for a manual transmission, and set the parking brake. Have all passengers exit the vehicle and move well away from the road. Never try to change a tire on a narrow shoulder of a busy highway; call for roadside assistance instead.
What tools and equipment do I need to change a flat tire?
Every driver should have a spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, and wheel chocks. Most vehicles come equipped with these from the factory, typically stored under the trunk floor or beneath the rear cargo area. Your owner's manual shows the exact location and explains proper jack placement, which varies by vehicle. Optional but useful additions include a flashlight, work gloves, a tire pressure gauge, and reflective triangles. Check the spare's pressure periodically so it's ready when you need it.
Where do I place the wheel chocks when changing a tire?
Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat. So if the front passenger tire is flat, chock the rear driver-side wheel. Place one chock in front of the wheel and the other firmly behind it so the vehicle can't roll once the jack lifts it. This step is easy to skip but critical. A car on a jack with no chocks can slide off the jack and cause serious injury, especially on any kind of slope.
What's the correct order for loosening and tightening lug nuts?
Loosen the lug nuts before fully raising the vehicle. Jack the car up partway so the tire still touches the ground and can't spin, then break the lug nuts loose with the lug wrench. Finish raising the car until the flat tire fully clears the ground, then remove the lug nuts and the wheel. Mount the spare, hand-tighten the lug nuts, lower the vehicle until the spare touches the ground, and then fully tighten in a star pattern to seat the wheel evenly. Tighten one more time after the car is fully back on the ground.
How far and how fast can I drive on a compact spare tire?
Treat a compact or temporary spare as a get-you-home tire, not a replacement. Most compact spares are rated for no more than 50 miles per hour and a limited number of miles before they need to be replaced. They have less tread, a smaller contact patch, and can affect handling, traction control, and stability systems. Drive directly to a tire shop or service center to get the original tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
