Published by Rims & Tires
Compiled & checked by the site's publisher from manufacturer, NHTSA & USTMA data · Updated 2026-07-16
Changing a tire takes about 15 to 20 minutes once you have done it a few times. The trick is knowing the steps so you skip the classic mistakes, like trying to loosen lug nuts after the car is already jacked up, or guessing where the jack goes. Here is the whole process.
What you need
Your spare tire. Check it now, before you need it, because a flat spare does you no good on the shoulder. Give it a look every time you rotate the regular tires.
A jack, usually the scissor jack that came with the car, stored in the trunk or under the cargo mat.
A lug wrench, the telescoping or cross-pattern wrench that also came with the car.
Your owner's manual, for the exact jack-point locations on your specific vehicle.
Optional but helpful: wheel wedges (rocks or bricks work in a pinch), a flashlight, gloves, and a reflective safety triangle.
Step 1: Pull over safely
Get completely off the road if you can: a parking lot, a side street, a wide shoulder. A driveway or lot is far safer than a highway shoulder.
Turn on hazard lights. Put the car in Park (automatic) or in gear with the parking brake set (manual). Do not rely on the parking brake alone.
Place wheel wedges in front of the front tires (or behind the rear tires) for additional stability before jacking.
West Georgia Local
Find the right shop near you
Tell us your vehicle and what you need — we'll match you with a vetted West Georgia shop. Free, no obligation.
Step 2: Loosen the lug nuts BEFORE jacking
This is the step people skip most. With the flat still on the ground and carrying the car's weight, use the lug wrench to turn each nut counterclockwise, just enough to break it loose. Do not take them off yet.
Trying to loosen lug nuts after jacking causes the wheel to spin. It is much easier and safer with the tire grounded.
Step 3: Place the jack and lift
Find the jack points on your vehicle. These are reinforced areas under the frame or rocker panel specifically designed to take jack loads. They are marked in your owner's manual with a diagram. Using the wrong jack point can damage the car body.
Position the jack under the jack point nearest the flat. Raise it until it meets the vehicle, then keep going until the flat is about 6 inches off the ground.
Never put any part of your body under a vehicle supported only by a scissor jack.
Step 4: Remove the flat and mount the spare
Remove the lug nuts the rest of the way and put them somewhere safe, like your pocket or the hubcap laid face-down like a bowl. A lug nut rolling under the car mid-job is a headache you do not need.
Pull the flat tire straight toward you and set it aside. It is heavy — use your legs.
Lift the spare onto the hub. Align the holes in the wheel with the studs. Push the wheel flush against the hub.
Thread the lug nuts on by hand, then tighten them lightly with the wrench — just enough to keep the wheel in place while the car is still on the jack.
Step 5: Lower and fully tighten
Lower the vehicle until the spare is on the ground and taking the vehicle's weight, but before the jack is completely down. Then tighten the lug nuts fully in a star pattern (not circular).
Star pattern: tighten one nut, then the nut directly opposite, then the next nut clockwise, then the nut directly opposite that, and so on. This ensures even pressure on the hub and prevents warping.
Lower the jack completely and remove it. Give the lug nuts one more check by hand.
After the change
If you installed a compact spare (donut): maximum 50 mph, maximum 50–70 miles. Get to a tire shop the same day.
If you installed a full-size spare: drive normally but get the flat repaired or replaced at a shop. You are now without a spare.
Have the lug nuts re-torqued to spec at a shop, typically 80 to 120 ft-lbs depending on the vehicle. Scissor jacks and lug wrenches are roadside tools; they are no substitute for a proper torque wrench.
Frequently asked
How long does it take to change a tire?
For someone who has done it before: 15–20 minutes in good conditions. For a first-timer in the driveway with no time pressure: 30–45 minutes. In poor conditions (dark, rain, highway shoulder): add time for setting up safety equipment and working more carefully.
Can I change a tire by myself?
Yes, it takes no special strength. The hardest part is usually breaking that first lug nut loose, which can take your full body weight on the wrench. Scissor jacks are built for one-person use. If lifting a tire or working the jack is not doable for you, roadside assistance is the fallback.
What if I do not have a spare?
Call roadside assistance: AAA, your insurance provider, or a local mobile tire service. Plenty of newer vehicles ship without a spare and instead carry an inflator kit (sealant plus compressor) or run-flat tires. Find out which your car has before you are stuck.
Do I need to replace the flat with the same brand as my other tires?
Not right away. Get to a shop safely first. When you replace the flat for good, matching the brand and model of the other tire on the same axle is ideal. On AWD vehicles, check your manual about tread-depth matching.
Keep reading
Last updated 2026-07-16. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.