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How to Change a Tire
Flat tire? Don't panic. You'll be back on the road in 30 minutes.
Time 30 minsDifficulty EasyTools Jack, lug wrench, spare
The short version
- Pull over somewhere flat and safe. Turn on hazards.
- Loosen the lug nuts (don't remove yet).
- Jack up the car until the flat tire is off the ground.
- Remove lug nuts, swap in the spare.
- Hand-tighten nuts, lower the car, then tighten fully.
What you need
Your car should already have all of this: a jack, a lug wrench, and a spare tire (usually under the trunk floor or mounted underneath). Check your owner's manual if you can't find them.
Directions
- Pull over somewhere safe. Get as far off the road as you can. Flat, solid ground. Turn on your hazard lights and set the parking brake.
- Loosen the lug nuts. Fit the wrench on a nut and turn counterclockwise. Just break them loose, about a quarter turn. Don't remove them yet.
- Jack up the car. Find the jack point near the flat tire (check your manual). Pump the jack until the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground.
- Remove the flat. Unscrew the lug nuts the rest of the way and pull the tire straight off. Set it flat on the ground.
- Mount the spare. Line up the holes and push the spare onto the bolts. Screw the lug nuts back on by hand, as tight as you can.
- Lower and tighten. Lower the jack until the tire touches the ground. Now tighten the nuts with the wrench in a star pattern. Lower fully, remove the jack.
- Check and go. Make sure everything feels solid. Drive to a shop soon, spares aren't meant for long distances.