How to Change a Tire in 10 Easy Steps

1. Find a Safe Location

• Pull over to a flat, stable area away from traffic.
• Turn on your hazard lights.
• Engage the parking brake to prevent rolling.

2. Gather Your Tools

You’ll need:

• Spare tire (properly inflated)
• Car jack
• Lug wrench
• Wheel wedges or blocks
• Vehicle owner’s manual (for jack points)

3. Secure the Vehicle

• Place wheel wedges in front of or behind the tires opposite the one you’re changing.
  • Example: If changing a rear tire, wedge the front tires.

4. Remove the Hubcap or Wheel Cover

• If your car has hubcaps covering the lug nuts, use the flat end of the wrench to pry it off.

5. Loosen (Don’t Remove) the Lug Nuts

• Turn each lug nut counterclockwise about one turn.
• Do this before lifting the car—it’s safer and easier with the tire still touching the ground.

6. Position and Raise the Jack

• Place the jack under the vehicle at the manufacturer’s designated jack point (usually behind the front tire or in front of the rear tire).
• Raise the vehicle until the flat tire is 1–2 inches off the ground.

7. Remove the Flat Tire

• Finish unscrewing and remove the lug nuts.
• Pull the flat tire straight toward you and set it flat on the ground.

8. Mount the Spare Tire

• Line up the spare tire with the lug bolts.
• Push it all the way onto the hub until it’s snug.

9. Tighten the Lug Nuts by Hand

• Screw them in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Then partially tighten them in a star pattern for even pressure.

10. Lower the Vehicle and Fully Tighten

• Slowly lower the car until the tire touches the ground, but don’t put full weight on it yet.
• Tighten the lug nuts firmly in a star pattern with the wrench.
• Lower the car completely and double-check tightness.

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✅ Bonus Tips

• Check tire pressure as soon as possible (spare tires often have lower PSI).
• Re-tighten lug nuts after driving 25–50 miles.
• Repair or replace the damaged tire promptly.

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