How to Change a Flat Tire: Complete Roadside Guide
Every driver should know how to change a flat tire. With the right technique, you can swap a flat for the spare in 15–20 minutes. This guide covers everything from finding a safe spot to torquing the lug nuts correctly.
Safety First
Pull completely off the road onto a flat, firm surface. Turn on hazard lights. If you have reflective triangles or flares, set them up behind the vehicle. Apply the parking brake. Never change a tire on a slope, soft ground, or in a traffic lane. If you're on a highway and can't safely pull off, call roadside assistance.
Gather Your Equipment
You need: the spare tire (check its air pressure periodically — a flat spare is useless), the jack, the lug wrench (tire iron), and your owner's manual (to find jack placement points). Many vehicles also include a wheel lock key if you have locking lug nuts — keep it accessible, not buried in the trunk.
Loosen the Lug Nuts
BEFORE jacking up the car, use the lug wrench to loosen each lug nut approximately one-half turn. Loosen in a star pattern (not clockwise). If lug nuts are very tight, carefully stand on the wrench handle for leverage (left foot on the ground, right foot on the wrench). Breaking them loose while the tire is on the ground prevents the wheel from spinning.
Jack Up the Vehicle
Consult your owner's manual for the correct jack placement point — it's a reinforced section of the frame near each wheel. Using the wrong spot can damage the body or undercarriage. Jack until the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground. Never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Swap the Tire
Remove the loosened lug nuts completely and pull off the flat tire. Place the spare tire on the hub, aligning the holes. Hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the jack until the tire just touches the ground (partial weight). Tighten lug nuts firmly in a star pattern with the wrench. Lower the jack completely and remove it. Give each lug nut a final tightening.
After the Change
If using a compact spare (donut), do not exceed 50 mph and drive no more than 50–70 miles. Get to a tire shop as soon as possible for a repair or replacement. Have the lug nuts re-torqued to the proper specification (typically 80–100 ft-lbs) within 50 miles — hand-tightened lugs can loosen with driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can I drive on a spare tire?+
Compact (donut) spares are rated for a maximum of 50 mph and 50–70 miles. Full-size spares can be driven normally. Check the spare's sidewall for specific ratings.
Can I repair a flat tire instead of replacing it?+
Punctures in the tread area (not the sidewall) smaller than 1/4 inch can usually be repaired with a plug/patch combo for $20–$40. Sidewall damage, large punctures, or run-flat tires that were driven on flat cannot be safely repaired.
How often should I check my spare tire?+
Check your spare's air pressure every time you check your regular tires — at least monthly. There's nothing worse than discovering your spare is flat when you need it.
What if I can't loosen the lug nuts?+
Use the lug wrench with a pipe or extension for more leverage. If you have locking lug nuts, you need the wheel lock key. If nuts are severely corroded or over-torqued, call roadside assistance — forcing them can strip the studs.
Do new cars come with spare tires?+
Increasingly, no. Many new vehicles come with tire inflation kits or run-flat tires instead of spares to save weight and trunk space. Check your vehicle before you need it.