How to change a flat tire in nine easy steps
By Allstate
Last updated: September 2025
Key points
- Know all the steps involved in changing your tire – from parking in a safe location to checking the tire pressure before you drive off.
- Know the limits of your spare tire. For example, certain spares aren't meant to be driven for extended distances or at certain speeds.
- Learn what tools to have handy, how to check your spare tire's pressure and consider roadside assistance coverage.
- Inspect spare tires monthly to confirm the proper tire pressure and tread depth.
Driving is an essential part of many people's daily lives, but even the most routine journey can be interrupted by an unexpected flat tire. While this situation may initially seem stressful, being prepared with the knowledge of how to change a tire can transform a potential roadside emergency into a manageable task.
We'll walk you through each step of changing a flat tire – from finding a safe place to park to successfully mounting your spare and checking it before you drive off.
By familiarizing yourself with these steps, you can be confident in changing a tire safely and efficiently. This skill not only empowers you as a driver but can also save you time and money by not having to call for roadside assistance.
Nine steps for changing a flat tire
Follow these steps to learn how to change a flat tire.
1. Park in a safe location
If you have a flat, stop somewhere safe. The best area is away from traffic, on a flat, firm surface — not somewhere that has grass or soft dirt — and not in a blind spot or curve, advises Consumer Reports. Be sure to engage the parking or emergency brake and turn on your hazard lights, even during the day, to help other drivers see you.
2. Gather tools and supplies
You’ll typically need the following tools to change a flat tire:
- Car jack
- Lug wrench
- Spare tire
- Your car’s owner’s manual
Your car’s owner’s manual could contain great information and additional steps around changing a tire on your specific car.
Additionally, you may want to consider keeping these things in your car or truck for additional safety:
- Wheel wedges
- Pressure gauge
- Flat head screwdriver
- Portable tire inflator
3. Loosen the lug nuts.
Lug nuts are screwed onto the bolts and hold the wheels in place. Use your lug wrench and loosen — but do not remove — the lug nuts, Pep Boys advises. Do this while the car is still on the ground, as the lug nuts may be on so tight that you have to use your body weight to loosen them. Keep in mind that if you have wheel locks on the tires, you may need to use a special adapter to remove them.
If you don’t see your lug nuts, they may be behind a hub cap. You’ll need to unscrew or pry it off with a flathead screwdriver or the end of your lug wrench to pop it off, says Popular Mechanics. Again, you should reference your car’s owner’s manual to see how to remove your car’s hubcaps so you don’t hurt yourself or damage the rim.
4. Position the jack and raise the car
Look at the car's owner’s manual to find out where to put the jack, says Popular Mechanics. These are called jack points, and they are often indicated by a notch in your vehicle's chassis or frame. Using the right jack location helps increase stability and may minimize the chances of damaging your car, Popular Mechanics adds. Slowly raise the car, keeping in mind that you need enough space to put on the inflated spare tire.
5. Remove the lug nuts and flat tire
Once the car is up on the jack, remove the lug nuts and put them somewhere close by, suggests Popular Mechanics. Putting them in your upturned hubcap is a good trick so they don't roll around and get lost. Then remove the flat tire by giving it a good pull, the site says.
6. Install the spare tire
Put your spare tire on by lining it up with the wheel studs — which are the threaded fasteners you originally took the lug nuts off of.
Replace the lug nuts. Tighten them by hand but don't use the lug wrench while the wheel is in the air, Popular Mechanics warns, as this may cause the car to fall off the jack.
7. Lower the vehicle
Slowly lower the car. Once the wheels are touching the ground, you can remove the jack, Pep Boys advises.
8. Tighten the lug nuts
Get your lug wrench and give the lug nuts a final tighten in a crisscross pattern or as described in your owner's manual. Popular Mechanics warns that not tightening them fully may create an unsafe situation.
9. Put away your tools and check tire pressure
After you have the spare tire attached, gather your tools and store them in a safe location. After all, you never know when you’ll need them again. Then, check the tire pressure of all of your tires to make sure they’re at an ideal level. If any of the tires need air, you can visit a nearby gas station with a free or inexpensive air compressor. You could also inflate the tire on your own if you have a portable air compressor.
Spare tires 101
Keep in mind that not all spare tires are equal. Depending on which kind you have, you may have mileage or speed limitations you should follow for safety. Here are some helpful things to know regarding spare tires.
What’s the difference between a spare tire and a donut?
Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, you could have a full-size spare tire or a donut spare tire, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB). Donut spares are smaller and weigh less, making them a popular choice for smaller vehicles. Donut spares can pose safety issues if you drive too fast or too far on them.
How long can you drive on a spare tire?
If you have a donut spare, you should treat it as a temporary solution, according to Tires Plus. It’s recommended you get a permanent replacement as quickly as possible and should not exceed 50 miles on the donut spare. If you have a full-size spare tire that matches the others, you can continue driving normally without the mileage restriction.
How fast can you drive on a spare tire?
It’s advised you stay below 50 miles per hour on a donut spare, explains KBB, creating a 50-50 rule for maximum speed and distance driven. However, drivers with a full-size spare tire that matches the others aren’t subject to different speed guidelines from their regular tires.
Safety tips for changing tires
While knowing the steps to change a tire are essential, doing it safely is equally important. Whether you're changing the flat tire on the side of a highway or on a quiet side street, following these safety measures can help prevent your tire change from becoming a dangerous situation.
Keep your tools handy
Keep all the tools you need for changing a flat tire in the trunk of your car, suggests Popular Mechanics. You never know when the next flat will happen – so having everything easily accessible in one place will help you stay organized. You also want to be sure you have everything needed to complete the job, so you don’t get stuck partway through the tire change.
Periodically check your spare tire
Your owner's manual should have directions and safety precautions for your spare tire. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the spare. Most temporary or "compact" spares should be inflated to about 55 to 60 pounds of air, but your owner’s manual should have the specific amount of pressure for your spare. If your gauge won't read pressure that high, have a professional check for you.
Practice changing a tire
Practice a few times in your driveway or some other safe space with plenty of room, Consumer Reports advises. That way, you may feel more confident when you need to change a tire on the road.
Knowing how to change a flat tire is a useful skill to have in an emergency and may help you from getting stranded on the road or having to wait for roadside assistance if you’re not close to cities or towns that have tow trucks.