How to Change a Flat Tire

Nobody likes to get stuck with a flat tire, but if you know how to do it yourself, you won’t have to wait for help to arrive. Here’s how to do it.

1. Pull over and park in a safe place. Preferably one that’s level and paved.
2. Turn on your hazard lights and set your parking brake.
3. Check the make sure you have a jack, a spare and other tools you’ll need, like…

• a lug nut wrench
• a flashlight (if it’s dark)
• a rain poncho (if it’s raining)
• a mat to kneel on
• a tire pressure gauge

4. Loosen the lug nuts. Secure the lug nut wrench on a lug nut and turn it counter-clockwise until it’s loose enough to finish turning it by hand to remove it. Repeat the process for each lug nut. (Do not remove them entirely yet. Just loosen them at this point.)
5. Use the jack to raise the corner of the car that has the flat tire off the ground. Tips: Consult your owner’s manual to learn how to use the jack. Also be sure to place it under the metal part of your car’s frame, not under any plastic molding.
6. Once the tire is off the ground, finish removing the lug nuts and slide the tire off. Keep the lug nuts nearby—you’ll need them when you put the spare tire on.
7. Put the spare tire on the car, pushing in as far as you can get it. Tip: Before you slide the spare on, make sure the lug nut holes on the spare line up with the lug nut posts.
8. Put the lug nuts back on, but do not tighten them yet.
9. Lower your vehicle slowly using the jack, but don’t lower it all the way yet. When the spare barely touches the ground, tighten the lug nuts. (This keeps the tire from moving around when you tighten them.) Tip: To keep the tire straight, tighten every other lug nut instead of tightening them in order.
10. Finish lowering the vehicle until it’s back on the ground and finish tightening the lug nuts in the same order that you did before.