5 Steps to Changing a Tire

I learned to change a tire when I was twelve years old. My dad and I were driving home from the lake house my parents owned, and to the left of the bridge we were crossing was a prison surrounded by barbed wire fencing. We'd just past a sign that said, "State prison next right, do not pick up hitchhikers," when one of the tires blew.

My father had never previously felt it necessary to instruct me in the methods of changing a tire, but perhaps he wanted my help just in case an escaped convict happened to wander up in an orange prison jumpsuit. Whatever the case, he insisted I help and he taught me how to change a tire.

Step 1: Position the Jack

All it takes to change a tire are a lug wrench, a spare tire, and a jack. Put the jack underneath the vehicle just behind the wheel (for a blown front tire) or just in front of it (for a blown rear tire). Make sure the jack will come into contact with metal rather than plastic, then jack it up so it fits snugly underneath the car.

Step 2: Prepare the Tire for Removal

Now that the jack is in place, use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts until they can turn easily. On some vehicles, changing a tire first requires removal of the hubcaps, but the process varies depending on the make and model.

Once the lug nuts are loose, you can go ahead and jack up the tire. You will want significant ground clearance, so raise it six to eight inches, so it provides enough room to fit the spare tire on the car. It is always best to err on the side of caution when changing a tire. When the jack is fully extended, you can loosen the lug nuts the rest of the way and set them aside.

Step 3: Replace the Tire

Some cars are more temperamental than others when you're changing a tire, but try not to see-saw when removing it. It's easiest if you embrace it in the same position you'd assume to give someone a hug, with both hands on either side of the tire. Then pull toward your chest, getting into a crouch if necessary.

Set the flat tire aside and grab the spare. Now you'll repeat the process in reverse, holding the spare just as you did the original tire. Line it up with the bolts on the vehicle, taking care not to tilt the tire in any one direction. Push it forward until you meet with too much resistance to push any farther.

Step 4: Replace the Lug Nuts

Once the spare tire is on the vehicle and snug, you can put the lug nuts back on and screw them in with the lug wrench. The goal here is not to tighten them all the way, but to thread them enough that they don't fall off. Then you can lower the jack all the way and remove it.

Now you can tighten the lug nuts all the way, addressing them in diagonal pairs. In other words, you don't want to work clockwise or counter-clockwise around the car, but start with one, then work on its opposite partner, then the third, and finally the one after that. Make sure they are nice and snug.

Step 5: Clean Up

Once you've changed the tire, you'll need to put the original tire away. You can put it in the same place where your spare was kept, or you can put it in the trunk of your car or in the bed of your truck.

Make sure to put your tools in a safe location, as well, so you'll know where to find them the next time you need to change a car.

A Few Tips:

Always ensure you are in a safe location to change a tire. The shoulder of the road is fine as long as other motorists can see what you are doing.

Turn lug nuts counter-clockwise to remove them and clockwise to replace them.

Drive slowly until you can replace the spare. An underside spare will only be rated for specific speeds (such as 50 mph or under), so make sure you know the limits.