How to Change a Flat Tire
What you’ll need
Spare tire, jack, wheel wrench (usually in your boot/trunk)
Step-by-step guide
Changing a flat tire can feel daunting if you have never done it, but it really is something anyone can do. Take your time and follow these steps — there is no rush.
1. First, safety. Pull over to a flat, firm surface away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. Apply the handbrake and put the car in gear (or Park if you have an automatic). If you have a high-visibility vest and warning triangle, use them.
2. Get your spare tire, jack, and wheel wrench out of the boot. They are usually under the boot floor. If you are not sure where they are, check your car's manual.
3. Before you jack the car up, use the wheel wrench to loosen (but not remove) the nuts on the flat tire. Turn them anti-clockwise. They may be very tight — you can stand on the wrench for extra force. Just loosen them about half a turn.
4. Place the jack under the car at the correct jacking point near the flat tire. Your manual will show exactly where this is — it is usually a reinforced bit of metal under the side of the car. Using the wrong spot can damage your car.
5. Raise the jack until the flat tire is about 10 to 15 centimetres off the ground. Make sure the car feels stable.
6. Now fully remove the wheel nuts and put them somewhere safe — a pocket is good so you do not lose any. Pull the flat tire off and lay it flat on the ground.
7. Lift the spare tire onto the wheel bolts. This can be heavy and awkward — take your time. Line up the holes and push it on.
8. Hand-tighten the wheel nuts in a star pattern (not going around in a circle). This ensures the wheel sits evenly.
9. Lower the jack until the tire is just touching the ground but not taking the full weight of the car.
10. Now tighten the nuts firmly with the wrench, still in a star pattern. Get them as tight as you can.
11. Lower the jack completely and remove it. Give each nut one final tighten.
12. Put the flat tire, jack, and tools back in the boot.
If your spare is a smaller "space saver" tire, do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 kph) and get your full-size tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Well done — you did it!
1. First, safety. Pull over to a flat, firm surface away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. Apply the handbrake and put the car in gear (or Park if you have an automatic). If you have a high-visibility vest and warning triangle, use them.
2. Get your spare tire, jack, and wheel wrench out of the boot. They are usually under the boot floor. If you are not sure where they are, check your car's manual.
3. Before you jack the car up, use the wheel wrench to loosen (but not remove) the nuts on the flat tire. Turn them anti-clockwise. They may be very tight — you can stand on the wrench for extra force. Just loosen them about half a turn.
4. Place the jack under the car at the correct jacking point near the flat tire. Your manual will show exactly where this is — it is usually a reinforced bit of metal under the side of the car. Using the wrong spot can damage your car.
5. Raise the jack until the flat tire is about 10 to 15 centimetres off the ground. Make sure the car feels stable.
6. Now fully remove the wheel nuts and put them somewhere safe — a pocket is good so you do not lose any. Pull the flat tire off and lay it flat on the ground.
7. Lift the spare tire onto the wheel bolts. This can be heavy and awkward — take your time. Line up the holes and push it on.
8. Hand-tighten the wheel nuts in a star pattern (not going around in a circle). This ensures the wheel sits evenly.
9. Lower the jack until the tire is just touching the ground but not taking the full weight of the car.
10. Now tighten the nuts firmly with the wrench, still in a star pattern. Get them as tight as you can.
11. Lower the jack completely and remove it. Give each nut one final tighten.
12. Put the flat tire, jack, and tools back in the boot.
If your spare is a smaller "space saver" tire, do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 kph) and get your full-size tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Well done — you did it!