How to Change a Tire: 10 Easy Steps

Although you may be a AAA member or drive a vehicle that doesn't include a spare tire, it's always smart to learn the proper way to change a tire, just in case. So, before you head out on that road trip or daily commute, be sure to familiarize yourself with the steps it takes to change a flat tire the safe way.

1. Find a safe place to pull over

Experiencing a flat tire or blowout while driving can be an incredibly stressful experience, particularly if your vehicle is moving quickly. The most important thing to remember is to keep calm and pull the vehicle over as far as you can, out of the flow of traffic. If possible, search for solid, flat ground to reduce the chances your vehicle will roll.

2. Use your hazards and parking brake

Turn on your hazard lights, and engage the parking brake once the vehicle is stopped. This will help keep it from rolling unexpectedly. 

3. Check on occupants, and get them to safety

Once stopped and parked, check with any occupants to ensure they are okay. Have them unbuckle seat belts, and move them to safety, away from the vehicle and traffic.

4. Find tools and the spare tire

If you're having trouble locating your spare, check the owner's manual. To properly change a flat tire, you will need a jack, lug nut wrench, and properly-inflated spare tire. Gloves, a tire gauge, and a flashlight may come in handy as well.

5. Loosen lug nuts

With the vehicle still resting on the ground, use your wrench to loosen each lug nut on the wheel until you can spin them with your fingers. You may need to remove a hubcap to access the lug nuts. You want to do this while your vehicle is still on the ground because trying to loosen them while it's raised and resting on a jack could cause it to fall off the jack.

6. Lift the vehicle with the jack

Jack points are located under each side of your vehicle and can be found by sight or by checking your owner's manual. Usually they are notched tabs, but be sure the jack is pushing into the frame of the vehicle itself versus a piece of flimsy bodywork or ground effects. Not only will this protect the bodywork, but it will ensure the vehicle stays stable while you install the new tire.

7. Remove the lug nuts and flat tire

Finish loosening and removing each lug nut until you can pull the entire wheel off your vehicle. Be sure lug nuts are stored somewhere they won't roll away or be lost, like a hub cap if you have it.

8. Install the spare tire, and replace the lug nuts

Place the spare tire onto the bolts and reinstall the lug nuts one by one. It's important that you thread and tighten the nuts using only your fingers. This will prevent you from cross-threading and damaging the wheel assembly. Lug nuts should be finger-tight before moving to the next step.

9. Partially lower your vehicle

Slowly lower the jack until your spare tire is resting on the ground but not supporting the full weight of your vehicle. This will keep the wheel from rolling while you tighten the lug nuts with your wrench. Be sure to tighten the bolts in increments using a star pattern (every other bolt). Tightening in this manner will ensure the wheel is evenly seated onto the rotor and will spin straight. Alternate tightening bolts in increments until they feel equally tight.

10. Remove the jack, and finish tightening

Lower your vehicle fully, and remove the jack, allowing its full weight to rest on the newly installed spare tire. Again, in a star-shaped pattern, tighten the lug nuts until they feel fully and evenly tightened.

Congratulations! You have just successfully changed a flat tire. It's also wise to check the pressure in your spare tire if you haven’t done so. If you are driving on a donut or spare that's less than full size, get to your trusted mechanic as quickly as possible to have the flat tire repaired or replaced.

Limits, spare tire rules and common problems

Not all flat tire situations are the same, and it’s important to understand the limits of your vehicle’s spare tire before getting back on the road. Many vehicles come with a temporary spare tire—often called a “donut” spare—that's designed for short-term emergency use only. In most cases, temporary spares should not be driven faster than 50 mph or distances more than 50 to 70 miles, though drivers should always follow the recommendations in their owner’s manual.

Some newer vehicles may not include a spare tire at all and instead come with a tire repair kit or run-flat tires. Drivers may also encounter wheel locks that require a special key to remove the lug nuts. Because spare tire equipment and procedures vary by vehicle, reviewing your owner’s manual before an emergency can help you prepare for a flat tire situation.

How AAA can help with flat tires

If you experience a flat tire and cannot safely change it yourself, AAA Roadside Assistance can help get you back on the road. A trained technician can install your vehicle’s inflated spare tire or assist with towing your vehicle to a repair facility if a usable spare is not available.

AAA does not patch, plug, or fully repair tires at the roadside. Permanent tire repairs should be completed by a qualified tire professional to help ensure the tire is safe to drive on.

AAA Roadside Assistance may also help in situations involving:

• a missing or unusable spare tire,
• lug nuts that are stuck or overtightened,
• flat tires in unsafe roadside locations,
• vehicles equipped with wheel locks, and
• tire damage that makes driving unsafe.

If you're unsure whether it is safe to change a tire yourself, move your vehicle to a safe location, if possible, and contact roadside assistance for help.