How to Change a Flat Tire: A Step-by-Step Guide

Changing a flat tire in the middle of the road is a right of passage for most motorists. It's a frustrating thing, getting a flat, and it's a skill that isn't taught in driving schools. Even though we at AutoPerformance doesn't sell tires, we are car people, and we want to share this easy, step-by-step guide to changing a flat tire while on the road.

What You’ll Need

Before starting, make sure you have these items, which usually come with your car:

• Spare tire (either a donut spare or a full-size spare)

• Car jack (a tool to lift your car off the ground) — this may be a bottle jack, scissor jack, or floor jack depending on your vehicle

• Lug wrench (a tool to remove and tighten the tire bolts, sometimes called lug nuts)

• Owner’s manual (always helpful)

• Early warning device/triangles (for safety if you’re on a busy road)

What we recommend you add to your car's toolkit

• Wheel wedges or blocks (to prevent your car from rolling)

• Gloves (optional, for keeping your hands clean)

• Flashlight (if it’s dark outside)

Understanding Your Spare Tire: Donut vs. Full-Size Spare

• Donut Spare:

A smaller, lighter, and narrower spare tire than a regular tire.

Designed for temporary, short-distance use (usually no more than 50 miles / 80 km).

Speed limit: Typically no more than 50 mph (80 km/h).

Takes up less space in your car but requires cautious driving until you get a full tire fixed or replaced.

• Full-Size Spare Tire

Same size and tread as your regular tires, usually with the same wheel design.

Can be driven on like a normal tire without special restrictions.

Usually heavier and takes more space but offers full performance.

If you have this, you can drive normally after changing the tire.

Different Types of Jacks and How to Use Them

There are different kinds of jacks, but all have the same purpose - to lift up your car so you can work on the underside of your car - including changing tires.

• Bottle Jack

  • A small hydraulic cylinder that lifts by pumping a lever.

  • Needs a stable, flat surface.

  • Comes as standard for some vehicles.

  • How to use: Place under the car’s jacking point, insert the handle in the slot, and pump the handle to raise the car.

    
    

• Scissor Jack

  • A diamond-shaped mechanical jack that raises by turning a screw.

  • Lightweight and compact, often included with smaller cars.

  • Comes as standard for some vehicles.

  • How to use: Position under the jacking point, insert the handle in the slot, and turn the handle clockwise to raise.

• Floor Jack

  • A trolley-style hydraulic jack with wheels.

  • Requires flat ground and space to roll under the car.

  • More commonly used in workshops and garages.

  • How to use: Insert the handle in the slot and pump the handle to lift the car smoothly.

Common Locations for Jacking Points

Jacking points are the specific locations on your car where the jack should contact the body. These are reinforced so that the car is not damaged during the jacking process. Here are some typical locations:

• Along the frame or pinch welds: Most cars have reinforced metal areas just behind the front wheels and just ahead of the rear wheels where the jack should be placed. These are often visible as small notches or reinforced seams on the car’s underside.

• Near the rocker panels: The sides of the car beneath the doors sometimes have a reinforced spot designed for jack placement.

In addition, different vehicles typically have their jacking points in different areas. Here are some examples:

• Pickup trucks and SUVs: The frame rails under the vehicle are typical jack points, often near each wheel.

  
  

• Sedans: Often the jacking points are just behind the front tires or just in front of the rear tires along the vehicle’s metal frame.

Important: These locations are general guidelines. Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to identify the exact jacking points to avoid damaging your car and for your safety.

Precautions Before You Start

• Find a safe place: Pull over to a flat, stable, and safe spot away from traffic.

  
  

• Turn on your hazard lights: Alert other drivers.

  
  

• Apply the parking brake: Prevent rolling.

  
  

• Use wheel wedges: Place behind or in front of tires opposite the flat. If you don't have a wheel wedge, find a large rock or piece of wood.

  
  

• Check your surroundings: Ensure safety and space.

Where Are The Tools and Spare Tire?

Most cars come with emergency tools that can tackle most common roadside problems like changing tires. Different types of cars normally have their tools placed in different areas. Here are some typical locations.

• Sedans: Spare tire and tools usually in the trunk under the floor mat.

  
  

• Pickup Trucks: Spare tire often under the truck bed, lowered by a winch. Tools inside cab or bed compartments.

  
  

• SUVs: Spare tire often mounted on the back door, under the vehicle, or inside cargo area. Tools nearby.

  
  

• Minivans: Spare tire usually under the rear cargo floor or underneath the vehicle.

Refer to your owner’s manual if you are unsure of where to find your tools.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Change the Tire

Step 1: Prepare Your Car and Tools

• Turn on hazard lights.

  
  

• Apply parking brake.

  
  

• Place wheel wedges on tires opposite the flat.

  
  

• Gather spare tire, jack, and lug wrench.

Step 2: Loosen the Lug Nuts

• Use the lug wrench to turn lug nuts counterclockwise to loosen, but don’t remove yet.

Step 3: Position the Jack

• Locate the correct jacking point near the flat tire (see common locations above).

  
  

• Always double-check your owner’s manual for exact jacking points.

  
  

• Place your jack accordingly:

  
  

• Bottle jack: Base on firm ground, pump handle to raise.

  
  

• Scissor jack: Base on firm ground, turn screw clockwise to raise.

  
  

• Floor jack: Roll under jacking point, pump handle to raise.

Step 4: Raise the Car

• Lift the car until the flat tire is off the ground.

Step 5: Remove the Lug Nuts and Flat Tire

• Remove lug nuts completely and keep safe.

  
  

• Pull flat tire off straight.

Step 6: Mount the Spare Tire

• Align the spare tire with wheel bolts and push onto the hub.

  
  

• Hand-tighten the lug nuts.

  
  

• Note on Donut vs. Full-Size Spare:

  
  

• If using a donut spare, remember it’s for temporary use only. Drive carefully, avoid high speeds, and get the regular tire repaired or replaced soon.

  
  

• If using a full-size spare, you can drive normally but still get your damaged tire fixed promptly.

Step 7: Lower the Car

• Slowly lower the car until the spare tire touches the ground.

Step 8: Tighten the Lug Nuts

• Tighten lug nuts firmly in a crisscross pattern.

Step 9: Clean Up

• Store flat tire and tools back in place.

  
  

• Remove wheel wedges.

  
  

• Turn off hazard lights if safe.

Final Tips

• Donut spares are temporary and require cautious driving (no faster than 50 mph / 80 km/h).

  
  

• Full-size spares can be driven on like normal tires.

  
  

• Always check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations about your spare tire, jack, and jacking points.

  
  

• Practice locating and using your spare tire and tools ahead of time, and ensure they are complete and in working condition - especially the spare tire!

We hope this helps! Stay safe!