Changing a tire on a car requires safely lifting the vehicle, removing the flat tire, and installing the spare. Always park on a flat, stable surface away from traffic, engage the parking brake, and use wheel chocks to secure the wheels. The core steps involve loosening the lug nuts before jacking, positioning the jack at the manufacturer's specified lift points, and tightening the lug nuts in a star pattern to the correct torque specification after lowering the car.
Essential Tools and Safety Gear
You will need a jack, a lug wrench, and a fully inflated spare tire (a compact "donut" spare or full-size). Always wear gloves and safety glasses. The vehicle's owner's manual provides critical details like jack points—the reinforced areas on the frame designed for lifting—and the proper torque for lug nuts. Never place any part of your body under a vehicle supported only by a jack; use jack stands for prolonged work.
Step-by-Step Process
- Preparation: Turn on your hazard lights. Retrieve the spare tire, jack, and wrench from the trunk. Place wheel chocks (or large rocks) against the wheels opposite the flat tire to prevent rolling.
- Loosen Lug Nuts: Use the lug wrench to break the lug nuts free by turning counterclockwise. Do not remove them completely yet; just loosen them.
- Lift the Vehicle: Position the jack under the designated jack point near the flat tire. Pump the jack handle until the tire is about 6 inches off the ground.
- Remove the Flat Tire: Now, unscrew and remove the lug nuts by hand. Pull the flat tire straight off the wheel studs and set it aside.
- Mount the Spare Tire: Lift the spare onto the wheel studs. Hand-tighten the lug nuts onto the studs.
- Lower the Vehicle: Carefully lower the jack until the car is fully on the ground. Do not let the jack drop suddenly.
- Tighten Lug Nuts: Use the wrench to fully tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern (crisscross sequence) to ensure even pressure. This is crucial for balancing the wheel.
Final Checks and Driving
Spare tires, especially compact ones, have strict speed and distance limits—often no more than 50 mph and 50 miles. Drive directly to a tire shop to repair or replace the flat tire. The table below provides examples of lug nut torque specifications, a critical factor for safety. Overtightening can damage studs, while undertightening can cause the wheel to loosen.
| Vehicle Type / Example Model | Recommended Lug Nut Torque (ft-lbs) | Common Jack Lift Height (inches) | Spare Tire Type |
|---|
| Compact Sedan (e.g., Honda Civic) | 80 | 12 | Compact Temporary |
| Midsize SUV (e.g., Ford Explorer) | 100 | 16 | Full-Size |
| Full-Size Truck (e.g., Ford F-150) | 150 | 20 | Full-Size |
| Luxury Sedan (e.g., BMW 5 Series) | 90 | 14 | Compact Temporary |
| Minivan (e.g., Toyota Sienna) | 110 | 15 | Compact Temporary |
| Subcompact (e.g., Chevrolet Spark) | 75 | 10 | Compact Temporary |
