How to Change a Flat Tire

A properly inflated spare, a jack rated for your vehicle, and a lug wrench that fits your lug nuts. Add a flashlight, gloves, wheel chocks, and a reflective triangle or vest. If your vehicle has locking lug nuts, confirm the key adapter is present, because it is one of the most commonly missing items when a driver actually needs it.

Pull completely off the road onto firm level ground, turn on hazards, chock the opposite wheel. Loosen the lug nuts about a half turn while the tire is still on the ground. Position the jack at the manufacturer's jacking point and lift until the tire clears. Remove the lugs and wheel, fit the spare, hand-tighten, lower the vehicle, then torque in a star pattern.

Because a lifted wheel spins freely and you cannot generate enough torque to break the nuts loose. With the tire still on the ground, friction holds the wheel while you break each nut free. A half turn each is enough. Then lift, and they come off easily by hand.

Compact temporary spares are typically limited to 50 mph and roughly 50 to 70 miles, with the limits printed on the spare itself. They have less tread, a narrower footprint, and a different rolling circumference than your regular tires, which affects handling, braking, and on some vehicles the drivetrain. Treat the trip to a tire shop as urgent.

Tighten in a star or crisscross pattern, not in a circle, so the wheel seats evenly against the hub. Snug them by hand with the vehicle lowered, then torque to your manufacturer's specification with a torque wrench. Recheck the torque after 50 to 100 miles, because lug nuts commonly loosen slightly after a wheel is first refitted.