How to Change a Tire

Knowing how to change a tire on a car is an essential life skill. Flat tires usually come with little or no warning, and they can happen at the worst possible time, leaving you stranded for hours and potentially with an expensive roadside service bill.

“All car owners should change a tire in their driveway to know how to do it,” says Chris “Moose” Pyle, an auto repair expert with JustAnswer.com. “What if you get a flat where there is no cell service, or you’re in a hurry? If you are familiar with the process and know where the tools are, it can be a 12-minute task.”

There are also non-emergency scenarios where knowing how to change a tire can be incredibly useful. If your winter tires are mounted on wheels, think of the money you’ll save by swapping out your regular tires or rotating your tires yourself instead of taking them to a shop.

Whatever the reason, understanding the steps to changing a tire is must-have knowledge for anyone who regularly gets behind the wheel of a car.

When To Change a Tire

A flat is the most common and obvious reason to change a tire. But there are others.

“Vehicle owners should be mindful of general wear and tear on their tires,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. “If you live in a region that experiences wintry conditions, it might also be a good idea to switch over to winter tires, which have a softer rubber compound for better traction on snowy or icy roads.”

Eventually, all vehicles need new tires. Contact with the road gradually grinds down the depth of tire treads, making it harder for them to grip the road, especially in rainy or snowy conditions. Even if you don’t drive a lot, you should change your tires at least every 10 years, especially if they get a lot of UV exposure, as that can cause tire sidewalls to break down and crack.

Also, it’s time to change them if you notice improper tire wear, especially if the belts are exposed or when the sidewall is damaged, like from a collision with a sidewalk, says Pyle.

Once the tread of a tire wears down to 4/32 inch, slipping on wet or icy roads or even hydroplaning is much more likely. At that point, swapping out your most worn-out tires can go a long way towards staying safe on the road.

Also, don’t forget to find out- why tires are black.

Tire Changing Tools and Materials

• Car jack;
• Tire iron or lug wrench;
• Spare tire.

Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you may also need alignment studs, a wheel cover or lug nut wheel lock key and extension bars for the spare.

Checking spare tire pressure is the most neglected maintenance item on a car. A flat is not the time to discover your spare tire is underinflated or you can’t find the wheel lock key. It’s also a good idea to check to make sure your car is equipped with all of these tools before you hit the road, and that you know where they are, since sometimes it can be frustrating trying to locate them.

How to Change a Tire

If you get a flat while driving, turn on your hazard lights and proceed slowly to a safe, level location visible from the road. Don’t stop just anywhere. A nearby empty parking lot is another good choice.

If you do stop on the side of the road, be sure you’re as far from traffic as possible. Leave your hazard lights on, turn off the ignition, place the transmission in Park (Reverse on manual transmissions) and firmly apply the parking brake.

“Try to limit driving on a flat tire to under 3mph and no more than 100 yards to prevent ruining the tire and wheel or possible car damage,” says Pyle.

Once you’re in a safe, secure location, follow these step-by-step instructions to change the tire:

1. At the opposite corner of the tire being changed, jam some heavy object, 2x4s or a rock on both sides of the tire.
2. Remove the wheel cover with the flat end of a tire iron. Some wheel covers have plastic trim caps that screw onto the lug nuts.
3. Turning the tire iron or lug wrench counter-clockwise (remember lefty loosey, righty tighty), loosen the lug nuts about one-half turn without removing them completely. If they’re stubborn, lean on the tire iron or wrench with your foot for extra oomph. “The lug wrench is that weird design because sometimes you do have to step on it to break the nuts loose or tighten them,” says Pyle. “Be careful; this practice will tear up a shin.”
4. Position the jack under the vehicle, typically directly beneath the frame near the tire you’re trying to change. If unsure where to place the jack, check your owner’s manual.
5. Crank the jack to lift the vehicle off the ground enough so the spare tire (that’s filled with air) will fit, not just enough to remove the flat tire.
6. Remove the lug nuts. Place them in the wheel cover or a container so you don’t lose them. “Christmas Story, do not lose the lug nuts in the snow, OH F***,” says Pyle.
7. Remove the flat tire and wheel by gently pulling it free from the wheel studs/lug bolts. Avoid shaking the car to keep it from falling off the jack. “If the wheel is stuck on, which happens often, loosen the lug nuts three turns, remove the jack and drive the vehicle forward and backward 10 feet to break the rust loose,” says Pyle.
8. Mount the new tire and wheel on the wheel studs, making sure the tire is fully seated.
9. Secure the lug nuts by hand as tightly as you can. Spin the tire to make sure the wheel doesn’t wobble and it’s flat and square against the wheel hub.
10. Lower the jack until the tire rests on the ground, then finish tightening the lug nuts with the wrench. Be sure to tighten in a crisscrossing or star pattern instead of in a circle. “But be weary of over-tightening and stripping the bolts,” says Watson.
11. As soon as each lug nut feels snug and secure, reattach the wheel cover if it fits the new tire. If it doesn’t, put it in your trunk with the flat tire and get to your mechanic. When using the spare, note the manufacturer’s max speed for it, and always avoid driving at speeds over 50 miles per hour, says Watson.

Check out the best tools to change a tire.

About the Experts

• Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer.com since 2006, where he answers hundreds of car maintenance and repair questions a day.
• Duane “Doc” Watson is a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. He has more than 45 years of experience in automotive repair, has trained thousands of technicians and earned many industry awards, including Chevrolet Technician of the Year and Buick Service Master of the Year.