PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Got a flat tire? Need to swap an old tire out for a fresh replacement? Jacking a vehicle up and swapping your tires out can seem like a complicated process, but it’s surprisingly straightforward and simple once you’ve got the basics down. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process from start to finish so that you can get back on the road in no time.

Get Car Support Solve Any Problem

wH
Hi there! Do you have a question about how to diagnose or fix a problem with your car? I’ve read the manual so you don’t have to. Select your make, model, and year, then ask away!
*
*
1

Move the car to a flat surface in a safe area.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you aren't in a driveway or garage, turn on your hazard lights. If necessary, push or tow your vehicle out of hazards so that you don’t put your life in danger.
  2. Advertisement
2

Secure your vehicle’s wheels.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Place pieces of wood or large rocks in front and in back of the tire that is diagonally across from the one being changed to keep the car from rolling. Make sure this wheel will not roll. [1]
    • If it's a rear wheel, set the parking brake.
    • If it's a front wheel on a front wheel drive car, be sure the car is in park for automatic transmission.
    • On a manual transmission, put the vehicle in first gear.
3

Remove the hubcap.

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can also use the flat end of a lug wrench to remove the hubcap. Once it is removed, place the hubcap in your trunk or set it inside of your vehicle so that you don’t accidentally scratch the hubcap up. [2]
  2. Advertisement
4

Loosen the lug nuts.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Fit one end of the lug nut wrench onto the lug nut and turn it counterclockwise. Only loosen each nut about a quarter turn. Continue until you've loosened each lug nut. [3]
    • Don’t take any of the nuts off just yet!
5

Find your car's jacking point.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Any point of the frame should work on an older vehicle. On newer cars, refer to the manual to find the jacking point. Place the jack in place and raise the car slowly. Make sure the car doesn't try to roll away as the wheel comes off the ground.
  2. Advertisement
6

Raise the vehicle up to give yourself room to work.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The new wheel may be bigger in diameter than the old flat wheel. You need enough room for the new tire to fit, so continue jacking the car up. [4]
7

Remove the lug nuts.

PDF download Download Article
  1. You loosened the nuts already, so you should be able to rotate the nuts off with your fingers. Place the nuts on a towel so that they don’t roll away.
  2. Advertisement
8

Lift the old wheel off.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Make sure you have a firm grip so your tire doesn't roll away. Take the spare tire out of the trunk and set it nearby. Put the old tire in the trunk. [5]
    • Don’t throw the old tire out. You can get it fixed at a mechanic for a very low cost.
9

Slide the new wheel onto the bolts.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Set the wheel on the studs so that the bolts stick out a bit. The new wheel should align with the bolts the exact same way your old wheel was aligned. [6]
  2. Advertisement
10

Put the lug nuts back on.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Make sure the rounded end of the nut goes towards the wheel or your wheel will be loose. The nuts should go most of the way in by hand. Take your lug wrench and tighten them as much as you can with the wheel in the air. You're going to tighten them again later, but you don't want the wheel moving around on the studs.
11

Lower the car partially and tighten the nuts.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use your lug wrench and turn each lug nut clockwise to tighten it. Each nut should be extremely tight. If you're a small to medium build person, I would say they should be as tight as you can get them. If you're a body builder, just don't break the studs.
    • The lug nuts should be exceptionally tight. You shouldn’t be able to move the lug wrench at all when you try to turn it.
  2. Advertisement
12

Lower the car and replace the hubcap.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Lower the jack back and slide out from underneath your vehicle. Double-check each nut one more time to make sure that they’re 100% tight. Replace the hubcap and ensure that’s it’s secured to the wheel. If you are not comfortable that the hubcap is secure, remove it and have someone help you at a later time.

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I jack up a vehicle?
    Community Answer
    I suggest reading wikiHow's article on jacking up a car for detailed advice.
  • Question
    If I change wheels that are balanced, do they have to be balanced on another vehicle?
    Doug Fontaine
    Community Answer
    Only if the tires and wheels were balanced while on the car. If all wheels were removed and balanced off the car, then no.
  • Question
    Does the handbrake need to be in the off position when changing a rear wheel once the wheel nuts have been removed?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Your handbrake is useless if your back wheels are in the air. And you're better off working on a free-moving wheel.
Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If the wheel is too heavy to lift on - Lower the jack and lean the wheel beside the studs. Raise the jack while aligning the studs/holes.
      • Make sure the tire air valve faces "out" on the spare tire.
      • Don't lose your lug nuts. Make sure you place them in a safe place where no one will come along and kick them all over the road.
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Spare tire
      • Jack
      • Lug wrench - Or any other tool that can get the nuts off. A socket set will do it too.
      • Tire blocks - If you don't have blocks you can still change the tyre, just be more careful about the car rolling away
      • Gloves - If you've got gloves you won't need the washcloth. You can still change the tires without gloves.
      • Towel or washcloth - You don't need one but if you've got it then use it to wash your dirty hands

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 169,865 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Sasha

        Mar 27, 2022

        "Tyre/wheel would not move once the car was jacked up and bolts removed. I didn't want the car to move on the ..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement