How to Change a Flat Tire
A flat on the side of the road is stressful, but swapping on the spare takes about 20 minutes with the tools already in your trunk. Safety comes first, then one rule matters most: loosen the lug nuts before you jack up the car.
Get somewhere safe before you touch a tool
- Turn on your hazard lights, slow down gently, and pull well off the road. A parking lot or side street is safest. On a highway, take the next exit if you can, even on a flat.
- Pick flat, solid ground on a straight stretch where other drivers can see you. Never jack a car on a slope or soft dirt.
- If you're on a narrow shoulder with traffic rushing past, stay buckled in with hazards on and call roadside assistance or 911 instead.
KITWhat you need
Most cars keep these under the trunk floor or in a side panel. Your owner's manual shows where, and where the jack points are.
Spare tire
Usually a small “donut” temporary spare. Some newer cars have no spare, just a sealant and inflator kit instead.
Jack and lug wrench
The wrench often doubles as the jack handle. If your wheels have a locking nut, you'll also need the wheel-lock key.
Wheel wedges
Stop the car rolling. No wedges? A large rock or a block of wood works.
Nice to have
Flashlight, gloves, a reflective vest or triangles, and a small board to put under the jack on soft ground.
HOWChange the tire
Follow the steps in order.
- Put the car in Park (a manual in reverse or first gear), set the parking brake, turn off the engine and keep the hazards on.
- Get everyone out of the car and well away from traffic.
- Place a wheel wedge against the tire diagonally opposite the flat. Flat on the front left? Wedge the rear right. Wedge both sides of that tire if you have two.
- If you carry reflective triangles or cones, set one well behind the car (AAA suggests about 100 feet).
- Pry off the hubcap or wheel cover if there is one (the flat end of the lug wrench works). Put it upside down nearby to hold the nuts later.
- Fit the wrench on each nut and turn counterclockwise about a quarter to half a turn. Just break them loose; don't take them off yet.
- Stuck? Position the wrench so the handle points sideways and press down with your foot or body weight. Never jump on it.
- Find the jack point next to the flat: a reinforced metal spot on the frame, often marked with a notch or arrow under the door sill. Your manual shows it.
- Set the jack on solid ground (a board helps on soft ground) and raise it until it touches the jack point, then check it's lined up.
- Raise the car until the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground. You need a little more room for the inflated spare than the flat.
- Unscrew the lug nuts the rest of the way by hand and put them in the upturned hubcap or a pocket.
- Grip the tire at the sides and pull it straight toward you. It's heavier than it looks.
- Lay it flat on its side next to you so it can't roll into traffic.
- Line up the holes in the spare with the wheel studs and push it on, valve stem facing out.
- Screw each lug nut on by hand, with the tapered or rounded side facing the wheel.
- Snug them with the wrench in a star (criss-cross) pattern: tighten one nut, then the one across from it, rather than going around in a circle. This pulls the wheel on evenly. The diagram below shows the order for 4, 5 and 6 nuts.
- Lower the jack until the spare touches the ground and takes some weight.
- Tighten every nut firmly with the wrench, again in the star pattern. Go around twice.
- Lower the car fully and remove the jack. If you have a torque wrench, tighten to the value in your owner's manual.
- Put the flat, jack, wrench and wedges back in the car. Release the parking brake.
- Check the spare's pressure as soon as you can. Many temporary spares need about 60 PSI; the exact number is on the spare's sidewall or your door-jamb label.
- A donut spare is for short distances at reduced speed. AAA says not to drive over 50 mph on one; follow the limit printed on your spare. Head straight to a tire shop to repair or replace the flat.
A seized lug nut, a missing wheel-lock key, a jack that won't sit right, or a spot that just feels unsafe are all good reasons to stop. Call roadside assistance; it's what it's for.
TRYLug nut star pattern
Count the lug nuts on your wheel, pick the number, then step through the order. The line shows how the wrench crosses the wheel each time.
LISTRoadside checklist
Open this on your phone at the roadside and tick things off as you go. Your ticks are saved on this device.
FAQCommon questions
Which way do lug nuts turn?
On almost every car: counterclockwise (left) to loosen, clockwise (right) to tighten. “Lefty loosey, righty tighty.”
How far and fast can I drive on a donut spare?
Only as far as you need to reach a tire shop. AAA's guidance is to stay under 50 mph. The speed limit for your spare is printed on its sidewall or on a label nearby, so check it.
My car doesn't have a spare. What now?
Many newer cars carry a tire sealant and inflator kit instead. It can get you to a shop for small punctures in the tread, but not for a torn sidewall or a blowout. If the kit can't help, call roadside assistance.
What if a lug nut won't budge?
Make sure the car is on the ground and you're turning counterclockwise. Put the wrench handle horizontal and use your body weight steadily. If it still won't move, stop and call for help rather than risking a slip.
Should I check my spare when nothing is wrong?
Yes. NHTSA says to check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, at least once a month. Spares age even when unused because they seldom get replaced.