How to Change a Car Tire – A Complete Step‑by‑Step Guide

1. Safety First

1. Pull over to a flat, level surface away from traffic.
2. Engage the parking brake and turn on your hazard lights.
3. Place wheel chocks or sturdy blocks behind the wheels opposite the flat (or point the wheels toward the curb if you’re on a hill).
   These steps keep the vehicle from rolling while you work²⁶.

2. Gather the Required Tools

• Spare tire (usually in the trunk, under the floor mat, or under the vehicle)
• Jack (often paired with the spare)
• Lug wrench / tire iron (sometimes a socket set)
• Wheel chocks (if you didn’t bring separate ones)
• Optional but helpful: gloves, flashlight, reflective triangles, torque wrench, and a tire pressure gauge

Check your owner’s manual for the exact locations of the spare, jack, and recommended lift points¹⁴.

3. Loosen the Lug Nuts (Before Lifting)

• Using the lug wrench, turn each lug nut counter‑clockwise about a half‑turn.
• Do not remove them yet; loosening while the tire is still on the ground prevents the wheel from spinning once the car is lifted.

If a nut is stubborn, apply steady pressure or use a breaker bar for extra leverage³.

4. Position the Jack and Raise the Vehicle

1. Locate the jack point indicated in the manual (usually a reinforced notch on the vehicle’s frame near the flat tire).
2. Place the jack under this point and ensure it sits on solid ground (use a flat base plate if the surface is soft).
3. Pump or turn the jack until the flat tire is 2–3 inches (≈5–8 cm) off the ground⁵⁸.

5. Remove the Flat Tire

• Finish unscrewing the loosened lug nuts and set them somewhere safe where they won’t roll away.
• Pull the tire straight off the hub and set it aside, away from traffic.

6. Mount the Spare Tire

1. Align the spare’s holes with the wheel studs on the hub.
2. Push the spare onto the studs until it seats fully.
3. Hand‑tighten each lug nut just enough to hold the wheel in place.

7. Lower the Vehicle and Tighten the Lug Nuts

1. Lower the jack slowly until the spare tire lightly contacts the ground.
2. Using the lug wrench, tighten the nuts in a star (criss‑cross) pattern—tighten a little, move to the opposite nut, and repeat. This ensures even pressure on the wheel.
3. Once the car is fully lowered, give each nut a final snug turn.

If you have a torque wrench, aim for the manufacturer’s spec (typically 80–100 ft‑lb for most passenger cars)³.

8. Final Checks

• Verify tire pressure on the spare (see the sidewall or your manual for the correct PSI).
• Replace any wheel cover or hubcap you removed.
• Stow the flat tire, jack, lug wrench, and any other tools back in the trunk.
• If the spare is a temporary “donut,” drive no faster than 50 mph and have the original tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

9. After‑care Tips

• Re‑check the lug nuts after 50–100 miles of driving;