How to Change a Flat Tire
Getting a flat tire is one of the most common roadside emergencies. Knowing how to change a tire can save you some time, money, and unnecessary stress. The first thing that is important to understand is that while most people commonly refer to this process as changing a tire the tire, never has to come off the rim. The process involves removing the wheel with the damaged tire and replacing it with a spare.
This process hasn’t changed much over the years; however, the tools that come with a lot of modern vehicles have. In fact, some newer cars don’t even come with a traditional spare tire in the trunk anymore. In order to cut costs and to marginally improve fuel economy by cutting weight, some car companies have decided to replace the spare tire with a “fix-a-flat” kit or an inflator with sealant designed for temporary repairs. While these tools may offer some minimal level of security, they will not help in cases where the tire is damaged beyond simple patch repair.
Step-by-Step: Changing a Tire
If your car does come with a spare, the first step is to find a safe location, preferably a flat surface away from traffic.
Limit how much you drive after you detect that the tire is damaged to prevent causing irreputable damage to the wheel/rim and other components such as wheel bearings, hubs, control arms and brakes.
Once you have pulled off the road, turn on your hazard lights, set the parking brake, and if you have them, place wheel wedges or blocks behind your tires for stability. Retrieve your spare, jack, and lug wrench from the trunk or undercarriage storage. Check for a road hazard kit, which may come with a reflective road Emergency triangle or road flares. If your car does come with a flare or an emergency reflective triangle, place it next to the vehicle making, it visible to oncoming traffic. This safety precaution has the potential of saving your life and if your car does not come with a hazard kit, it is highly advisable to purchase one and always keep it in your trunk in case of emergencies.
Break the lug nuts free with your lug nut wrench. Do not loosen the lug nuts to a point where they are about to come off until the car is safely in the air.
Lift the car until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground. Remove the lug nuts completely, take off the damaged wheel and mount the spare.
Tighten the lug nuts by hand, lower the vehicle back down, and then firmly secure the lug nuts with the wrench in a crisscross pattern to ensure even pressure.
In cases when There’s No Spare Tire
If your car came with a Fix-a-Flat kit instead of a spare, the process is different. These kits typically include a sealant canister and a small air compressor. The sealant is injected into the flat tire, plugging small punctures from the inside, while the compressor inflates it enough to get you back on the road. Keep in mind that this is a temporary solution—you’ll need to visit a tire shop soon to have the tire professionally repaired or replaced.
Some flat tires cannot be fixed with a simple fix-a-flat kit and a pump. If the tire has sidewall damage or has a large gash or has come off the rim entirely, the only way to have it repaired is by having the vehicle towed to a mechanic shop.
In most cases for vehicles that are not equipped with a spare tire, your best option is to call roadside assistance or a towing service to get your car to a repair facility. Some insurance policies and automakers offer 24/7 roadside assistance, which is worth keeping in mind when buying a new vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re working with a traditional spare or a modern repair kit, being prepared is key. Familiarize yourself with the tools your car comes with before you need them, and always keep a flashlight, gloves, and a tire pressure gauge in your trunk. While technology and convenience have changed the way flats are handled, the basic rule remains the same: a little knowledge and preparation can keep you safe and get you back on the road quickly.
