How to Change a Tire Safely
You’re driving along a stretch of highway, enjoying a beautiful summer day. Construction season is seemingly never out-of-style as you slow down to pass a road crew tearing up the lane next to you. Out of nowhere, you feel your car abruptly tilt to one side. That’s because you just drove over a nail and blew a tire. You get that sinking feeling and pull over when it’s safe, get out to inspect the damage, and realize there’s no getting around it — you’re going to have to swap it out for a spare.
In this situation, many people simply call their roadside assistance company and play the waiting game. But if your phone’s battery is dead or if you’re in an area with little to no reception, and you don’t know how to change a tire, you may have to walk quite a way to get help. Learning to change a tire is one of the most crucial skills every driver should have. It’s easy, plus it saves time, saves money (no more leaning on roadside assistance to fix everything), and is an all-around practical and useful skill to have. This handy guide will teach you how to properly change a tire so you’re never helplessly stranded on the side of the road.
Find a Safe Location to Change a Tire
Make sure you are in a safe area to change the tire and have taken extra precautions. If you have a blow out on a freeway your only option may be the shoulder of the road. In this case, be sure to set up road flares or reflective cones. If you do not have flares or cones and traffic is heavy or you’re uncomfortable, call roadside assistance and 911 for emergency traffic assistance. If you’re in Illinois, emergency traffic assistance is typically provided by Emergency Traffic Patrol (ETP).
Preparing to Change a Tire
- Put the car in park (or put manual transmission vehicles in first gear for added security)
- Apply the parking brake
- Chock the tires with a rock
Critical Safety Note: Ensure no one remains inside the vehicle during the tire change process. The shifting weight and jack placement can cause unexpected movement that could be dangerous for passengers.
Next, ensure you have the following equipment. If you don’t have all of these items, go out and buy them now — you never know when a tire will give out.
Core Equipment for Changing a Tire
- Lug wrench
- Jack
- Properly inflated spare tire (check every so often to ensure it’s inflated)
- Car owner’s manual
Optional Equipment for Changing a Tire
- Wheel wedges
- Gloves
- Flashlight
- Reflective triangles
- Rain poncho
- Wood blocks for jack stability
- Torque wrench for proper lug nut tightening
- Small labels or markers for tire storage organization
Want to learn more on this topic? Read, “Tire Care & Maintenance.”
11 Steps for Changing a Tire Properly
Step 1. Pull over at a safe spot
As soon as you notice something wrong, find an area where it’s safe to pull over, preferably with a wide shoulder so you have more room to work. Put your hazard lights on, begin to slow down and come to a full stop on the shoulder. Engage your parking brake and if necessary, set up the reflective triangles to alert drivers that you are stopped ahead. Place the wheel wedges behind/in front of the car to prevent any possible rolling.
Proper Wheel Chock Placement:
- If changing a front tire: Place chocks behind the rear wheels
- If changing a rear tire: Place chocks in front of the front wheels
- This prevents the vehicle from rolling in the direction opposite to the lifted tire
Step 2. Remove the hubcap
You can do this with the flat end of the lug wrench. If your lug nuts are already exposed, skip this step.
Step 3. Loosen the lug nuts
Use the lug wrench to loosen, but not remove, all of the lug nuts on the affected tire. Turn them counterclockwise until you are able to loosen them by hand later. Loosen each lug nut only ¼ to ½ turn at this stage — just enough to break them free while the tire is still on the ground for stability.
Pro Tip: If lug nuts are particularly tight, position the lug wrench horizontally and use your foot to apply downward pressure for extra leverage. This technique is much more effective than relying solely on arm strength.
Step 4. Place the jack under the car
Use the vehicle owner’s manual to find the correct spot to place the jack. Generally, it’s under the vehicle alongside the tire. It will be a flat expansion of metal, so as to ensure that you don’t jack the plastic frame. Make sure the ground is completely flat, cleared of debris or rocks. You want the jack to extend straight up without slipping.
Jack Placement Safety:
- Always refer to your owner’s manual for vehicle-specific jack points
- Look for reinforced metal areas specifically designed for jacking
- Never place the jack on plastic trim, suspension components, or body panels
- If the ground is soft or uneven, place a piece of wood (such as a 2×6 board) under the jack base for additional stability and to prevent sinking
Step 5. Expand the jack
Start cranking the jack so that it raises. It takes some effort, but raise the car until the tire is about 6 inches off the ground. Do not put any part of your body underneath the vehicle when it is raised.
Step 6. Remove lug nuts
Fully remove the already-loosened lug nuts and keep them nearby and accessible — you’ll need them to secure the spare tire.
Step 7. Remove the flat tire
Grip the tire by the treads and pull it off the spokes. Set it on the ground on its side so it doesn’t roll away.
Safety Warnings When Removing the Flat Tire:
- Hot Tires: If you’ve been driving recently, the tire and wheel components may be extremely hot. Wear gloves or allow time to cool if possible.
- Damaged Tires: Be cautious of sharp objects like nails, screws, or torn steel belting that caused the flat. These can cause injury during removal
- Smart Placement: Position the removed flat tire near the jack as a safety measure. If the vehicle accidentally slips off the jack, the tire can help prevent the car from dropping completely to the ground.
Step 8. Place the spare on
Align the spokes with the holes on the spare tire and push it until it’s all the way on.
Step 9. Place lug nuts
Place the lug nuts and tighten them by hand. Do NOT use the lug wrench while the car is on the jack.
Step 10. Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts
Lower the jack slowly until the car is on the ground. Use the lug wrench to fully tighten the lug nuts onto the spare tire. Tighten them in a star pattern to ensure even force distribution (i.e., tighten top, bottom left, top right, top left, bottom right). Remove the jack and put it away safely.
Proper Torque Specifications:
While most drivers don’t carry a torque wrench, it’s important to understand that lug nuts should be tightened to specific torque specifications (typically 80-100 ft-lbs for most passenger vehicles, but check your owner’s manual). If possible, have the torque checked at a service station soon after changing your tire. Over-tightening can damage the wheel bolts or studs, while under-tightening can cause the wheel to come loose. Both scenarios are dangerous.
Step 11. Replace the hubcap (if possible)
Put the hubcap back onto the new tire, put the flat tire into your trunk and clean up your equipment from the side of the road. You’re now good to get going again!
Tire Storage and Organization Tips:
When storing your flat tire, consider labeling it with the date and location of the flat, especially if you’re doing a complete tire rotation or have multiple spare tires. Store the flat tire in your trunk with the damaged side facing up to prevent any remaining air from escaping and to make the damage visible for the repair technician.
Risks Associated with Donut Tires
It would be best if you have a similar tire to your regular ones, but a spare “donut” tire will do the job in a pinch. However, keep in mind that donut tires are strictly a temporary measure until you can get the full tire replaced.
- When driving on a donut tire, do NOT drive above 50 mph.
- Braking, cornering, and handling WILL be affected.
- Check the donut’s tire pressure. It should be 60 psi.
- You can only drive so many miles on a donut. Check the vehicle owner’s manual to see how many miles it can handle.
Not sure how far your spare will take you? Here’s how long you can drive on a spare tire, and how fast.
Can I Just Leave the Spare Tire on My Car?
This is one of the most common questions we hear, and the answer is a definitive no, especially with temporary spare tires (donuts).
Why You Shouldn’t Keep a Donut Tire Long-Term
- Safety Limitations: Donuts are designed for temporary use only, typically 50 miles or less.
- Speed Restrictions: Maximum safe speed is usually 50 mph, making highway driving dangerous.
- Handling Issues: Your vehicle’s braking, steering, and stability will be significantly compromised.
- Tire Wear: The mismatched tire size causes uneven wear on your other three tires.
- Mechanical Damage: Extended use can damage your differential, transmission, and other drivetrain components.
Even Full-Size Spares Have Limitations
If you have a full-size spare tire, while safer than a donut, it’s still recommended to repair or replace your original tire promptly. Different tread depths and tire brands can still affect vehicle handling and cause uneven wear patterns.
What You Should Do
- Get your flat tire repaired or replaced within 50 miles or as soon as possible.
- Have your tire pressure and overall vehicle alignment checked after any tire change.
- Consider purchasing a matching full-size spare if your vehicle came with a donut.
We always recommend addressing tire issues promptly to help you become a better, safer driver on the road.
Take Your Driving Skills to the Next Level
Changing a tire might sound like a daunting task, but it’s really quite simple once you understand how it works. It’s never a pleasant experience to change a tire on the side of a road, but it’s time saving, money saving and can get you out of a pickle when there are no other options. Follow the simple steps outlined above and you’ll be out-and-about in no time!
Interested in taking your driving to the next level? Register for an online refresher course or contact us with any questions.
Frequently asked questions
What equipment do you need to change a flat tire?
The core kit is a lug wrench, a jack, and a properly inflated spare tire, plus your owner's manual. Most cars come with these from the factory, usually stored under the trunk floor or in a side compartment. Useful additions include wheel wedges or chocks, work gloves, a flashlight, reflective triangles or flares, a rain poncho, a small wood block to stabilize the jack on soft ground, and a torque wrench for tightening the lug nuts to spec. Check your spare's pressure a few times a year, since spares slowly lose air sitting in the trunk and you do not want to discover it is flat when you need it.
How do you safely change a tire on the side of the road?
Get the vehicle to a safe location first. Pull as far off the road as possible, ideally onto a wide shoulder or into a parking lot, and turn on your hazard lights. Put the car in park (or first gear if it is a manual), engage the parking brake, and chock the tires opposite the flat. If you are on a highway with heavy traffic and feel unsafe, do not attempt the change. Call roadside assistance and 911 for emergency traffic help. In Illinois, the Emergency Traffic Patrol (ETP) responds to disabled vehicles on major roads. Make sure all passengers exit the vehicle and move behind the guardrail or away from traffic before you start.
Where do you place the jack when changing a tire?
Always check your owner's manual for the correct jack point for your specific vehicle. In most cars, the jack points are reinforced metal areas on the frame just behind the front wheels and just ahead of the rear wheels. Never place the jack under plastic body panels, the oil pan, suspension components, or exhaust parts, since these will collapse under load. Make sure the ground is firm and level. On gravel, dirt, or grass, place a flat piece of wood, such as a 2x6 board, under the jack base to keep it from sinking or tipping while you raise the car.
Why should you loosen lug nuts before raising the car?
Lug nuts are usually torqued to between 80 and 100 foot-pounds, and breaking them loose takes serious force. If the wheel is in the air when you try, the tire just spins instead of letting the nuts release. Crack each lug nut a quarter to half turn while the tire is still on the ground for stability, then jack the car up and fully remove them. If a nut is stuck, position the lug wrench horizontally and use your foot to apply downward pressure for leverage. Loosen lug nuts in a star pattern, not in order around the wheel, to keep stress even on the hub.
How tight should the lug nuts be after putting on a spare?
Once the spare is on, thread all the lug nuts by hand until snug, then tighten them in a star pattern, not in a circle, to seat the wheel evenly on the hub. After you lower the car back to the ground, go around the lug nuts one more time with the wrench to fully tighten them. The proper torque spec is in your owner's manual and is usually between 80 and 100 foot-pounds for passenger cars. A torque wrench is the safest way to hit the exact spec. Recheck the torque after about 50 miles of driving, since lug nuts can settle and loosen.
How far can you drive on a spare tire?
Most spare tires that come with cars today are donut or compact spares, not full-size tires. They are designed for short-term use only: typically no more than 50 to 70 miles, and at speeds at or below 50 mph. Driving farther or faster on a donut spare can cause it to overheat and fail, and the smaller diameter can damage your differential or transmission. Treat the spare as a get-home-or-to-a-shop solution, not a long-term replacement. Get the flat repaired or replaced as soon as you can, and put the proper full-size tire back on the vehicle.
