How to Change a Tire

Having some basic auto knowledge is important for everyone, not just gearheads. Knowing a thing or two about what’s under the hood and how your car functions will make you a safer, more confident driver. Auto is your resource to learn about basic auto maintenance, along with common problems and how to fix them. With the holiday season soon approaching we know many people will be traveling longer distances to see friends and family, so before you embark on a roadtrip, it's imperative that you know how to change a tire.

Sooner or later everyone is going to encounter needing to change a tire. Sure, there are several roadside assistance programs out there that will come help you out, but it's always smarter to be educated yourself, and you never know when this knowledge will come in handy and let you save the day. First off, before you do any traveling, make sure to check your tires and tools. Look for any unevenly worn spots on your tires or skimpy tread. Also be sure to check that the spare is in good condition or it won't be of any help to you! Most cars come equipped with a jack, lug wrench, and the spare. Make sure they're all in there. 

If you've never used a jack or lug wrench before, practice with both to get a feel for the equipment you're working with.

changing a flat tire

Clearly I'm signed up with the wrong roadside assistance program.

If you've never used a jack or lug wrench before, it's not a bad idea to practice setting up the jack and lightly loosening and retightening the lug nuts to get a feel for the equipment you're working with. This way, when you're pulled over at 2 a.m. in the dead of winter you won't waste time wondering what the hell to do with them. Some other tools to consider stashing in your car are: flashlight (and batteries), gloves, tarp, tire gauge, and tire blocks.

Pull Over

So now let's get started. When you realize you have a flat, find a safe spot to pull over. If you're on the freeway, head to the nearest exit if you're able to, otherwise pull over as far onto the shoulder as possible. This should be common sense, but make sure you're not pulling over into a blind spot area like a curve or a hill. If you have a manual transmission leave your car in gear but don't forget to set the parking brake! Turn your hazards on, and if you have tire blocks, you can chock the wheels opposite the flat in the front and back. If you don't have tire blocks, you can use pieces of wood or a large rock.

Loosen Lugs

Use the lug wrench to gently loosen the lug nuts by turning counterclockwise — righty tighty, lefty loosey. You don't want to remove the nuts all the way, just break the resistance. Doing this when the wheel is still on the ground will ensure you're turning the nuts and not the wheel. Depending on how tightly the nuts have been screwed on, you may need to throw a little body weight into this.

Jack it Up

If you smile when you do something it tricks your mind into thinking it's fun.

Place the jack under the car frame, near the tire that you are going to change. The jack should be in contact with the metal portion of your car's frame. Pump or crank the jack until you lift the tire a few inches off the ground. Make sure the jack is perpendicular to the ground and lifting the car straight up.

Remove Nuts and Put on Spare

Now you can remove the lug nuts completely and pile them in a safe place. Pull the tire straight towards you to remove it from the wheel base. Now grab your spare and make sure to line up the lug nut posts with the holes in your spare. Lift the tire up and push the spare all the way onto the wheel base.

Tighten it Up

Put the lug nuts back on, tightening them by hand first so that they are on securely. Then you can lower the car back to the ground and remove the jack. Now finish tightening all the nuts by tightening them about 50-percent of the way and then moving to an opposite nut across the tire and tighten that one half-way. Keep tightening in this star pattern until all the nuts are nice and tight. It will ensure a more even torque on the tire.

Hit the Road

Time to pack up your tools and hit the road again in search of a repair shop. Spare tires are not designed for long range, so you're going to need to take your car to a shop. The rule of thumb is about 70 miles to drive on a spare. Don't forget to take your old tire with you and get an estimate for the repair. If you're lucky, it will just be a small puncture that needs to be sealed for $15. Worst case, you need to buy a new tire.