Everybody who drives should know how to do this at least once before they need it.
Quick answer Get off the road onto firm, level ground. Put the hazards and parking brake on, and loosen the lug nuts while the tire is still on the ground. Then jack at the marked lift point, swap the wheel, snug the nuts, lower the car, and tighten in a star pattern. Check the nuts again after a few miles.
Tools & materials
- Spare tire (check its air pressure a couple of times a year)
- Jack and lug wrench from the car
- Owner’s manual (shows jack points)
- Wheel chock or a brick
- Flashlight and gloves
Steps
- Pull well off the road on firm, level ground. Hazards on, parking brake on, everyone out and away from traffic.
- Chock the wheel diagonally opposite the flat.
- Pop off the hubcap if there is one. Loosen each lug nut about a half turn counterclockwise. Don’t remove them yet.
- Put the jack at the lift point shown in your manual and raise the car until the flat is a couple of inches off the ground.
- Remove the lug nuts (keep them together) and pull the wheel straight off.
- Line the spare up with the studs, push it on, and thread the nuts on by hand.
- Lower the car until the tire just touches. Tighten the nuts in a star (crisscross) pattern, not around the circle.
- Lower it all the way and tighten again in the star pattern. Stow the flat and tools.
- Re-check lug tightness after a short drive. Respect the speed and distance limits printed on a compact spare.
Safety: Never put any part of your body under a car held up only by a jack. If you’re on a narrow shoulder or highway, stay in the car with your belt on and call for roadside help.