How To Change A Flat Tire

See full article for more tips and a video.

IMPORTANT: A spare tire is not meant for extended travel, so only use it to drive to the nearest tire shop or home. Make sure you have a spare tire and check it regularly to ensure the air pressure is at a drivable level.

• Spare tire
• Car jack and tire tool
• 2-3 foot length of open-ended pipe
• Gloves
• Flashlight
• Wipes for clean up
• Vehicle owner's manual

Step-by-step guide:

1. Most important - do not panic.
2. Engage your emergency flashers.
3. Maneuver to the side of the road.
4. Pull as far off the road as possible.
5. Find the flattest and firmest ground you see.
6. Call for help if you are in an emergency lane or center lane.
7. If you are on a soft surface, do not jack up your vehicle. Call for help.
8. Have all passengers exit the vehicle.
9. Set the car in park (1st gear if manual) and set the emergency brake.
10. Place a brick or large rock behind one of the undamaged tires.
11. Set the items you need near your work space.
12. Try to stay as far away from moving traffic as possible.
13. Put on your gloves.
14. If the lug nuts aren't visible, remove the hubcap.
15. Don't jack the car up until after you've loosened the lug nuts.
16. Lug nuts need to be loosened using the tire tool. For extra leverage, slide the pipe onto the end of the tire tool.
17. Once the first lug nut is loosened, leave it on for now.
18. Skip every other lug nut working around until all lug nuts have been loosened.
19. Remember: righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.
20. Reference your owner's manual for proper placement of the car jack.
21. Slide the jack under your car frame and pump or turn the lift.
22. Completely remove the lug nuts.
23. Remove the tire by pulling straight away from the car.
24. Lift the spare tire onto the screw prongs, lining up the screws with the holes in the tire.
25. Remember that the air valve should be facing OUT.
26. Screw on the lug nuts by hand just until they're all secured.
27. Go back with the tool and tighten them slightly.
28. Lower the car with the jack just enough so that the tire doesn't spin.
29. Using your tire tool, tighten the lug nuts in the same pattern as you loosened them.
30. Lower the vehicle all the way and remove the jack.
31. Reinstall the hubcap if you have one.
32. Put everything back in your car and drive carefully to the nearest tire shop.