Changing a tire takes about 15–20 minutes once you have done it a few times. Knowing the right steps means not making the common mistakes — like trying to loosen lug nuts after jacking the car up, or not knowing where to put the jack. Here is the complete process.
What you need
Your spare tire — check it now, before you need it. A deflated spare does you no good. Inspect it every time you rotate your regular tires.
A jack — usually a 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 possible — a parking lot, side street, or wide shoulder. A driveway or parking 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.
Step 2: Loosen the lug nuts BEFORE jacking
This is the most commonly skipped step. With the flat tire still on the ground and taking the vehicle's weight, use the lug wrench to loosen each lug nut by turning counterclockwise — just enough to break the initial resistance. Do not remove them 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 designated jack point nearest the flat tire. Raise the jack until it contacts the vehicle — then continue raising until the flat tire 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 completely and set them somewhere safe — in your pocket or in the hubcap face-down on the ground. Lug nuts rolling under the car while you are working is annoying at best.
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 (typically 80–120 ft-lbs depending on the vehicle) at a shop. Scissor jacks and lug wrenches are for roadside use — they do not substitute for proper torque.
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 requires no special strength. The hardest part is often breaking the initial lug nut resistance (the wrench may need your full body weight). Scissor jacks are designed for one-person use. If you are physically unable to lift a tire or operate the jack, roadside assistance is the alternative.
What if I do not have a spare?
Call roadside assistance (AAA, your insurance provider, or a local mobile tire service). Some newer vehicles do not come with a spare — they have either an inflator kit (sealant plus compressor) or run-flat tires. Check what your vehicle has before you need it.
Do I need to replace the flat with the same brand as my other tires?
Not immediately — get to a shop safely first. When replacing the flat permanently, matching the brand and model of the other tires on the same axle is ideal. On AWD vehicles, consult your manual about tread-depth matching requirements.
Keep reading
Last updated 2026-06-27. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.