How to Change a Flat Tire: 15-Step Emergency Guide

You're driving down the road when you hear an annoying thump. You look around and see your tire has a big hole in it! What now? If this is your first time changing a flat tire, don't worry, we have a 15-step emergency guide to help you out.

See it in action:

First things first

Before you start:

Before you begin the process of exchanging a flat tire for the spare tire, there are several preparatory steps that must be taken. First, make sure that you slowly steer the vehicle off of the road and park in a safe area. This area needs to be wide enough for you to be able to move around the vehicle without putting yourself in danger of being hit my other drivers. Make sure your emergency flashers are on so that other drivers know to take caution when driving past you as you change your flat tire. If you have a reflective warning sign, place it several feet behind your car for additional safety.

Let's recap:

Park in a safe area
Turn your emergency flashers on
If you have a reflective warning sign, please it a few feet behind your car

What you'll need

Things you'll need to fix a flat tire:

Locate the following things. They should have all come with your vehicle.

Fully inflated spare tire
Car jack (most jacks come with a built-in wrench)
Lug wrench (if there isn't one in the car jack)
Your vehicle owner’s manual

Most of the time, you'll find your spare tire and jack in the trunk of your vehicle. Most models store these two items in a compartment underneath the floor of the trunk. Carefully lift the spare tire and place it on the ground in close proximity to the flat tire.

How To Change Tires

1) Pull off the road as soon as possible

Slowly steer the vehicle off of the road and park in a safe area. This area needs to be wide enough for you to be able to move around the vehicle without putting yourself in danger of being hit by other drivers.

2) Turn on your hazard lights

Make sure your emergency flashers are on so that other drivers know to take caution when driving past you as you change your flat tire.

3) Apply the parking brake

Take the foot off of the accelerator and apply your parking brake. This step will keep your car from rolling while you are busy changing out your tire. Be sure to disengage this once you've completed all steps.

4) Apply wheel wedges / large rocks / sticks

Place wheel wedges (a large rock or stick will work just as well!) behind the tire opposite of the flat to prevent the car from rolling. If you’re changing a rear tire, place them in front of the front tires, or the other way round. If you have a reflective warning sign, place it several feet behind your car for additional safety.

5) Locate your spare tire and jack in the trunk of your vehicle

Now that you've pulled off the road, take your spare tire out from the trunk. You'll also need to have your jack handy before you start. Most models store these two items in a compartment underneath the floor of the trunk. Find a safe and level area to place your flat tire on, preferably with grass or dirt instead of asphalt. This will protect you from oil leaks that can stain your clothes when changing the tire back onto the car. Remember to shake any debris out before placing it down! Carefully place the spare tire on the ground in close proximity to the flat tire.

6) Remove the damaged tire's hubcap or wheel cover

If your vehicle has a hubcap covering the lug nuts, you'll need to remove it (if your lug nuts are exposed, you can skip ahead to Step 6.) Car jacks usually have a built-in lug wrench. Remove the lug wrench from the jack and use it to loosen the hub cap on the tire that is damaged. Once the hub cap is removed, place it to the side. Note: If there is anything covering the bolt head such as mud or snow, use an abrasive brush to remove it before using any other tool.

7) Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with the flat tire

After the hubcap is removed and before you use the jack to lift the wheel off of the ground, use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with the flat tire. The lug nuts will be located just below the hub cap, and they are usually either hexagonal or round. Place the lug wrench onto each nut and apply pressure to the handle in a counterclockwise fashion. Only loosen the nuts about ¼ to ½ of a turn, do not remove them completely. If you have trouble loosening a lug nut, use your foot or knee to gain leverage on the handle of the lug wrench.

8) Use the jack to lift the wheel off of the ground

Position the jack on a strong part of your vehicle’s frame. Your vehicle’s owner manual will give specific information about the proper placement of the jack on your particular vehicle. Turn the jack in a clockwise fashion by hand until it meets the vehicle. Then, use the jack’s handle to continue to turn in a clockwise fashion until the damaged tire is several inches above the ground. Once there is enough room between wheel and ground, place your jack’s handle under the car to hold it there. Never put any part of your body under the vehicle when it’s being jacked up.

9) Unscrew the lug nuts

After the vehicle is lifted, remove the lug nuts that you loosened prior to using the jack by using the lug wrench. Take off the lug nuts and place them in a safe spot to keep from losing them or getting hit by any flying debris.

10) Remove the flat tire

Almost there! Carefully remove the flat tire from under the car. Take it with you to your garage or somewhere away from the road where there is a lot of space, and lay it on its side for now so that it doesn't roll away.

11) Mount the spare tire on the lug bolts and hand-tighten the lug nuts

Now, place your spare tire onto the wheel by lining up the holes with the bolts. Place the lug nuts back onto the bolts and turn them in a clockwise fashion. Use your hand to ensure the lug nuts are tight enough before you go any further.

12) Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts again

Use the jack to lower the vehicle off of the jack by turning the handle in a counterclockwise fashion, so that the spare tire is resting on the ground but the full weight of the vehicle is still not fully on the tire. Tighten the lug nuts just one more time with the wrench as much as you can to ensure they are tight enough before lowering the jack and removing it from under the car.

13) Lower the vehicle completely and remove the jack

Finally, bring the vehicle all the way down to the ground and remove the jack once the spare tire is securely on the ground. After the jack is removed, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts on the spare tire to ensure that it is secure enough to be drivable.

14) Stow your equipment

After the spare is completely installed, place the jack, lug wrench, hub cap, and flat tire back into the trunk of your vehicle. You're done. You've changed a flat tire!

15) Check the pressure in the spare tire

It's a good idea to check the air pressure of your spare tire after installing it. Temporary spares (also known as mini-spares) require a minimum of (420 kPa) of air pressure.

Changing a Flat Tire in Photos:

Find your spare tire and jack in the trunk

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel

Use the jack to lift the wheel

Lug wrench and lug nuts

Unscrew the lug nuts

Remove the damaged tire

Carefully mount the spare tire

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to fix a flat tire?

The amount of time it takes to change a tire depends on how quickly you can find the hole, how much air you lose, and how much you have to jack up the car. In general, a flat tire can take anywhere from five minutes to two hours to replace.

When is the best time to change a flat tire?

The ideal time to change a flat tire is early in the morning or late at night, when there is little traffic. It is also best if you have a helper to assist you.

Is it possible to drive with a flat tire?

It is possible, but it is not recommended. Driving on a flat tire can damage your vehicle, and you could lose control of the vehicle.

Can you change a flat tire in the rain?

Yes, you can change a flat tire in the rain. In fact, changing a tire in the rain is not much different than changing one in good weather.

Recommended by DMVs and trusted driving organizations