How to change a tire: a step-by-step guide | PEMCO

A flat tire rarely happens at a convenient time. It can happen on a highway shoulder, in a parking lot, or on a backroad with spotty cell service. For drivers traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest, it can also happen miles from the nearest tire shop. A little know-how before you need it can make that stressful moment feel more manageable. This guide walks through how to find a safe place to stop, use your spare, and know when it is safer to call for help. 

Before you start changing a tire 

Get your vehicle out of traffic before you do anything else. Pull onto a wide shoulder or into a parking lot if you can, away from curves, hills, and soft or uneven ground. Turn on your hazard lights, shift into park or gear, set the emergency brake, then place wheel chocks or heavy rocks against the tires opposite the flat. 

Most vehicles have a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench tucked away, and your owner manual can show you where to find them. Before you need them, take a few minutes to make sure your spare is usable and properly inflated, and that you have the jack, lug wrench, and wheel lock key if your vehicle requires one. Gloves and a flashlight can make the job easier, especially after dark. 

How to change a tire step-by-step 

Once your vehicle is parked and secured, changing a tire follows the same order every time. 

1. Park and secure the vehicle 

Confirm the transmission is in park or gear, the emergency brake is set, and the wheel chocks are in place before you touch the jack. 

2. Loosen the lug nuts before you jack up the car 

With the tire still on the ground for resistance, turn the lug wrench counterclockwise on each lug nut about a quarter turn, one at a time, so the wheel doesn't spin. 

3. Position the jack and raise the vehicle 

Place the jack at the jack point closest to the flat tire, then raise the vehicle slowly until the tire clears the ground by a couple of inches, keeping the jack level as it lifts. 

4. Remove the lug nuts and take off the flat tire 

Finish unscrewing the lug nuts by hand and set them somewhere secure. Pull the flat tire straight off the wheel studs and set it aside. 

5. Install the spare tire 

Lift the spare onto the wheel studs and push it flush against the hub, then thread each lug nut on by hand in a star pattern until the spare holds itself in place. 

6. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts 

Lower the jack until the spare touches the ground but still carries some weight, then finish tightening the lug nuts in the same star pattern. Torque them to spec if you have a torque wrench. 

What to do after you change a tire 

Stow the flat tire and your tools so they do not shift while you drive. Check the spare tire pressure as soon as you can, since spares can lose air after sitting for months. Drive slowly to the nearest tire shop and treat a compact spare as a short-term fix. Most are meant for about 50 miles at speeds under 50 mph, though your owner’s manual will list the exact limit for your vehicle. If you drive that far before getting the tire repaired or replaced, recheck the lug nuts as the wheel settles. 

When to call roadside assistance 

Not every flat tire is safe to change yourself. If you are on a narrow shoulder, a steep grade, or soft ground where the jack will not sit level, it is better to call for help than work close to traffic. You may also need a tow if you do not have a usable spare, more than one tire is flat, the spare is damaged or low on air, the wheel or suspension looks damaged, or the vehicle does not feel safe to drive after the spare is installed. Have your location and vehicle information ready when you call. Some roadside assistance plans, PEMCO’s included, can send a mobile tire change instead of a full tow. PEMCO’s guide to preventing car breakdowns covers the checks worth making before you need a spare. 

Ready for backup on the road 

Changing a tire yourself is a useful skill, but it is not always the safest choice. If you are a PEMCO member in the Pacific Northwest, roadside assistance can help with flat tires, towing, lockouts, and other unexpected moments on the road. 

Still have questions before you try it yourself? These quick answers cover a few common tire-changing decisions drivers run into on the road. 

Frequently asked questions 

How long can you drive on a spare tire? 

Most compact spares are built for short trips, generally up to 50 miles at speeds under 50 mph, though your owner's manual lists the exact limit for your vehicle. 

What is the star pattern for tightening lug nuts? 

It means moving to the lug nut roughly opposite the one you just tightened instead of circling the wheel, which pulls the wheel onto the hub evenly. 

Do you need a jack stand to change a tire? 

A jack can lift the car, but it shouldn't be the only thing holding it up while you work near the wheel. Chocks and flat ground add security. 

How do you loosen a lug nut that's stuck? 

If a lug nut will not loosen with steady pressure, do not force it in a way that could throw you off balance or damage the vehicle. Call roadside assistance if the lug nut feels stuck, stripped, or unsafe to remove.