How To Change A Flat Tire Safely — A Step By Step Guide

Before You Begin — Safety First

Make sure your vehicle is in a completely safe location before you attempt anything. Never change a tire on a busy highway if you can avoid it. Drive slowly on the flat to reach a parking lot or quieter road.

Step 1: Pull Over and Secure Your Vehicle

Signal, check mirrors, and pull as far off the road as possible. Turn on hazard lights immediately. Apply the parking brake firmly once stopped.

Step 2: Get Your Equipment

You need your spare tire, lug wrench, and vehicle jack — all should be in your trunk. Check your owner manual for correct jack point locations.

Step 3: Loosen Lug Nuts Before Jacking

Use the lug wrench to loosen lug nuts counterclockwise before raising the vehicle. Do not remove them yet. This is safer and easier while the tire is on the ground.

Step 4: Jack Up The Vehicle

Place the jack at the correct point and raise the vehicle until the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground. Never put your body under a vehicle on a jack.

Step 5: Remove Flat and Mount Spare

Remove lug nuts and keep them safe. Take off the flat tire. Align the spare with the bolts and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 6: Lower Vehicle and Tighten

Lower the vehicle until the spare touches ground. Tighten lug nuts fully in star pattern. Lower completely and give one final tighten.

When To Call Tow-Tow Instead

• You are on a busy highway
• It is dark without adequate lighting
• You are alone in an unsafe area
• You do not have a working spare
• You are not confident in the process

Knowing when NOT to change the tire yourself is just as important as knowing how. Your safety always comes first.