How to Change a Flat Tire

by DoItYourself Staff

what you'll need

Spare tire
Vehicle owner's manual
Vehicle jack
Wheel block
Non-slip gloves
Lug wrench or tire iron
Flashlight
Flameless warning flares, with AAA batteries
Spray-on tire sealant
Portable air compressor

Changing a flat tire is no one's favorite task, but with forethought and the proper tools on hand, it can be done safely and effectively. Follow these step-by-step instructions to change a flat tire in an emergency.

Step 1: Move Off the Road to a Safe Location

Pull out of traffic over to the shoulder, or into a parking lot if within 30 feet. Turn on your four-way hazard lights, put the car in Park, turn off the car engine, and engage the emergency brake.

Step 2: Retrieve Your Warning Flares, Spare Tire and Tools

If you are on the shoulder of a busy road, set up your warning flares. Place one 100 feet behind the car, on the solid lane marker line, and one 50 feet in front of the car. Remove the temporary spare tire from the trunk, along with the jack, the tire iron and a wheel block if you are on even a slight slope. Check that the spare tire is inflated and usable. If not inflated, fill it from the air compressor.

Step 3: Prepare to Remove the Flat Tire

Put on your non-slip gloves and detach the hubcap. Connect the socket of the tire iron to one of the wheel lugs. Turn it counterclockwise to loosen it about 2 turns, but do not remove it. Loosen the other wheel lugs similarly.

Step 4: Set the Car Jack and Raise the Car

Follow your owner's manual instructions about using the jack. Locate the jack points that touch the frame, and place the jack so they will contact it. Use the jack handle to lift the jack points until they touch the frame. Continue jacking the frame till the frame and flat tire are raised a few inches clear of the ground.

Step 5: Remove the Flat Tire

Finish loosening all the lug nuts for the wheel and slide the wheel and tire off the wheel studs. Lay the tire and wheel assembly down on the ground so it will not roll away.

Step 6: Attach the Spare Tire

Align the spare tire carefully over the wheel studs till it slips on solidly. Push it snugly up against the brake hub, the flat panel behind the wheel studs. Reattach and fasten all the lug nuts tightly with the tire iron so that the spare tire is flush up against the brake hub.

Step 7: Lower the Tire to the Road

Lower the jack so the spare tire is in contact with the road. Tighten all the lug nuts once more with the tire iron.

Step 8: Put the Flat Tire and All Equipment in the Car

Set the flat tire, jack and all tools in the trunk, retrieve your flares, and drive carefully away from your repair spot. Do not drive over 50 mph if using a "doughnut", a small temporary spare tire.

As soon as you can, get a new tire installed. If the flat tire's wheel is damaged, you must replace it, too.