How To Change A Flat Tire (For Newbies)

Nobody likes the possibility of being stranded by a flat tire. However, these are situations that sooner or later can occur, so it is best to be prepared for it, instead of being at night, on a lonely road with no signal on your phone.

Do you think we are exaggerating? Unfortunately, these “horror movie” situations happen more often than many imagine.

For this reason, we have prepared this article, in which we review, step by step, how to change a flat tire.

Quick Questions Before Starting

Ready to change that flat tire? Not so fast. Let’s go over some basic questions before we get started.

How Difficult is This to Complete?

Easy Difficulty

Changing a tire is considered an easy task, even for people with little experience.

How Long Does it Take to Complete?

Approximately 30 minutes

Depending on your skill in these types of tasks, changing a flat tire can take you 15 to 30 minutes.

How Much Do Materials Cost?

$190-$205

Most vehicles come with a spare tire and the necessary tools to change a flat tire. Nevertheless, if your vehicle does not have the minimum essential materials and tools, you will have to spend between $190 and $205 to get them. However, this sum could be increased by an additional $114-$236 if you choose to add optional tools to facilitate this type of task.

Items Needed to Change a Flat Tire

In the previous section, we mentioned that some essential items are needed to change a flat tire. In theory, your vehicle should have all of them even if you buy it second hand. Yet, for your reference, we will list them below along with their estimated price.

1. Car owners manual (included). If you don’t have the printed version, you can download it online at the automaker’s website.

Spare tire (included, or approx. $130). Depending on your car and the type of spare tire, this can cost up to $130.

Lug nut wrench (included, or approx. $25). Usually, a spare tire jack handle/wheel lug wrench can cost you about $25.

Jack (included, or approx. $35-$50). For space reasons, most modern vehicles come equipped with a scissor jack that usually costs between $35 and $50, depending on its capacity.

We also mentioned earlier that you could incorporate some optional tools to make this task considerably more straightforward. We have a non-exhaustive list of these tools below.

Emergency rain poncho ($1-$8)
Multi-purpose impact and abrasion-resistant gloves ($8-$18)
LED flashlight or headlamp LED flashlight ($8-$15)
Wheel wedges ($8-$10)
A 4-way lug wrench or telescoping power lug wrench ($19-$27)
12-volt electric impact wrench and socket ($35-$45)
Portable hydraulic trolley floor jack ($45-$60)
Portable air compressor/tire inflator ($25-$80)

How to Change a Flat Tire

After you’ve gone over the basics as well as the necessary tools, it’s time to learn how to change a flat tire correctly.

1. Turn on the Hazard Lights

As soon as you realize that you have a flat tire, turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights. This precautionary measure is recommended to alert other drivers about the emergency and make sure your car stands out even when it is on the side of the road.

2. Park in a Safe Place

Don’t rush or get nervous. Slow down the vehicle by taking your foot off the accelerator (avoid braking if possible) and try to find a safe place to park. Ideally, you should avoid parking on curves or steep slopes. Once you have found an appropriate location, brake gently and set the wheels straight.

3. Locate the Tools

Once the vehicle has come to a complete stop, your first task is to locate all the materials and tools needed to change the flat tire. Position them close to the work area but in such a way as to leave enough room for the flat tire once it is removed.

4. Place Reflective Warning Triangles on the Roadside

Our recommendation is to place the pertinent emergency signs before carrying out any task. This safety measure is vitally important at night as it allows other drivers to realize the danger before it is too late. Our recommendation is to place the first warning triangle 10 feet directly behind the vehicle close to the roadside. As for the second and third warning triangle, as a rule of thumb, you should place them 100 feet and 200 feet to the rear of each other.

If your vehicle doesn’t have these warning triangles, just do your best to be as far away from traffic as possible.

4. Secure the Wheels

It is advisable to secure the wheels by using either wheel wedges or small cuts of wood. This precaution is no longer optional and becomes mandatory if you have had to park on a slope.

5. Get Access to the Lug Nuts

The next step has to do with having access to the lug nuts. To do this, you must remove the hubcap/wheel cover using a flat screwdriver or the flat end of your lug wrench. Some hubcaps are more complicated to remove than others; in case of doubts, we recommend consulting your owner’s manual to avoid damaging them. Once you remove the hubcap/wheel cover, put it in a place that does not interfere with your work, our suggestion is to store it in the trunk.

6. Loosen the Lug Nuts

Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire by turning them counterclockwise using the lug wrench. It is not unusual for the nuts to be stuck, so keep in mind that this may be one of the most demanding steps. It is at this point that having a 4-way lug wrench, a telescoping power lug wrench, or better yet, a 12-volt electric impact wrench comes in handy. Our suggestion is not to remove all lug nuts to prevent the wheel from coming off when you lift the vehicle.

7. Locate the Support Points

Consult your owner’s manual to locate the recommended support points for your car. This step can save you from a possible accident caused by placing the jack at an end that does not support the vehicle’s weight.

8. Lift the Vehicle

Once the jack is positioned on a secure support point lift the vehicle, slowly, until the bottom of the tire is approximately four to six inches off the ground. Keep an eye out for any unbalance or strange movement of the jack, as it may be an indication that you have not placed it correctly. As a precautionary measure, never get under the vehicle during or after lifting it.

9. Remove the Lug Nuts

Once the vehicle is lifted, you can unscrew the lug nuts and remove them from the wheel. Do not be overconfident in this step, as the wheel could come off and injure you. Take your time, starting with the lug nuts at the top of the wheel and working your way down. It is not recommended to spin the wheel to prevent it from coming off suddenly.

10. Remove the Flat Tire Off the Vehicle

Take a firm grip on the tire and carefully pull it towards you. The use of gloves is highly recommended to prevent your hands from slipping, especially in snowy or rainy conditions. Once the tire is completely free from the hub, put it aside. Be sure to do so in a way that it does not roll or get in your way when fitting the spare tire.

11. Mount the Spare Tire

Keep in mind that like step 6, this task can require considerable physical effort, so having the help of another person may be necessary, especially in the case of heavy tires such as those found in full-size SUVs and pickup trucks.

Once ready, lift the spare tire and align the rim holes with the lug bolts. Usually, this operation requires several attempts, as it is difficult given the tire’s weight. As soon as you get the tire on, put a lug nut or two to prevent it from coming off.

12. Put the Rest of the Lug Nuts

After all the physical effort made so far, it is time to take a break. This is one of the most straightforward steps. Put the rest of the lug nuts back on the lug bolts and tighten them by hand. There is no need to tighten them with the wrench for now.

13. Lower the Vehicle

Make sure all lug nuts are hand tight, and then lower the vehicle. Do this slowly, watching for any unexpected jack movements. Once the vehicle is secure on the ground, remove the jack and put it away.

14. Tighten the Lug Nuts

Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts as much as possible. Then place all materials, warning signs, and tools as well as the hubcap in the trunk.

15. Double-Check Everything You Have Done

Before continuing on your way, you must double-check that all the lug nuts are tight and that you do not forget anything on the road. Only after this last check is it safe to leave.

Tips and Safety Considerations When Changing a Flat Tire

You should never lose sight that changing a flat tire is a task that must be done following the proper safety parameters. Below we share a list with the most relevant tips and safety considerations in that regard.

Never overlook the use of proper emergency signs such as hazard lights and warning triangles. Alerting other drivers from your situation can prevent serious accidents, especially at night or during adverse weather conditions.
Always have all the tools and materials you need to change a flat tire in one place. This can simplify the entire process in an emergency.
Never put any part of your body under the vehicle during or after lifting the vehicle with the jack. Hundreds of people a year are injured by a jack slip or failure at the wrong time.
Consider practicing the procedure of changing a tire at home. This can be of great help in emergencies as you will not be under pressure to perform an unfamiliar task.

Conclusion

Changing a flat tire may seem like an easy task to some. However, simple as it may seem, you should never lose sight of the fact that you can put your safety at risk if you do not do it properly. In this article, we have reviewed in detail the correct procedure to complete this task. Moreover, we have highlighted some tips to keep in mind during this task so that both experts and novices can change a flat tire safely.