How to Change a Spare Tire 🛞
Tools You’ll Need:
✔️ Spare tire
✔️ Jack
✔️ Lug wrench (tire iron)
Optional BONUSES:
✔️ Flashlight (if it’s dark)
✔️ Gloves (optional but recommended)
✔️ Vehicle owner’s manual (optional but helpful)
You’re on the Side of the Road — Now What?
Imagine this: You’re driving along, jamming to your favorite playlist, maybe sipping your morning coffee on the way to work. Everything seems fine—until your steering wheel starts to shake like it’s having a nervous breakdown. The car slows slightly, and you realize: you’ve got a flat.
If this scenario sounds familiar, don’t worry. Stay calm, get off the road safely. Now that you’ve safely pulled over and assessed the situation, let’s get down to business: changing that tire!
Step 1: Locate Your Spare Tire and Tools
Before you even touch a lug nut, make sure you have everything you need:
Most spare tires are located in the trunk, underneath a panel or carpet layer.
In trucks or SUVs, it might be mounted under the rear of the vehicle.
Your jack and lug wrench (also called a tire iron) are often stashed next to the spare, or in a side compartment in the trunk or cargo area.
Check your owner’s manual if you’re not sure where anything is.
💡 Pro Tip: Some vehicles come with “donut” spare tires meant for short distances only — always check for a label on the tire that states the max speed and distance!
Step 2: Prep the Vehicle
Park on flat ground. Make sure the car is in “Park” (or in gear if it’s a manual).
Turn on your hazard lights. Visibility is safety.
Engage the parking brake. You don’t want your car rolling while you’re under it.
Place wheel wedges or heavy objects (like a rock) behind the opposite tires to prevent rolling.
Step 3: Loosen the Lug Nuts
Use the lug wrench to turn the lug nuts counterclockwise.
Don’t remove them completely yet—just break them loose. It’s easier to do while the tire is still on the ground.
💪 This may take some strength—use your foot or body weight if needed by just standing on it, but be careful not slip and fall!
Step 4: Jack Up the Vehicle
Place the jack under the car’s frame next to the flat tire. Look for a notch or marked spot—this is the jack point.
Crank the jack until the tire is about 6 inches off the ground. Make sure it’s stable.
Step 5: Remove the Flat Tire
Fully unscrew the loosened lug nuts and keep them in a safe spot.
Pull the flat tire straight off the hub and lay it flat so it doesn’t roll away.
Step 6: Mount the Spare TirE
Line up the spare tire with the lug bolts and slide it onto the hub.
Screw the lug nuts on by hand, tightening them just enough to hold the tire in place.
With the tire on, go in a star pattern and tighten the lug nuts until it’s snug. Go around in a star pattern tightening each lug nut until it can’t tighten anymore.
🚨The final lug tightening process is at the end.
Step 7: Lower the Vehicle and Tighten Lug Nuts
Lower the jack slowly until the spare tire touches the ground and the jack can be removed.
Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern just as before and give it some muscle! (opposite sides, not circular order). This ensures even pressure on the wheel with all of the lug nuts holding it in place and not falling off as you’re driving away.
Step 8: Final Checks and Clean-Up
Now that you’re all done! It’s time to double check our work then put everything away.
✔️ Make sure all lug nuts are tight
✔️ Put your tools and flat tire back in the trunk
✔️ Double-check that nothing is left behind
Step 9: Drive Carefully to a Tire Shop
A spare tire—especially a donut—isn’t a long-term solution.
Most have a range of 30 miles or so and/or about an hour at most of driving before that spare tire goes flat as well.
✔️Head to the nearest tire shop to get a proper replacement or repair.
✔️Avoid highway speeds and keep your distance from other vehicles until your main tire is back in action.
✔️20-55mph is the recommended speed while driving on a spare tire.
🚨 Safety Reminder!
Changing a tire is doable, but only if you’re in a safe spot. If you’re on a busy road or don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, call a professional — like us here at Roadside Rescue Heroes. We’ll come to you and handle it with care, speed, and experience.
REQUEST SPARE TIRE CHANGE!
UNTIL NEXT TIME! Stay safe out there!
