When (drive long enough and you'll know it isn't an 'if') you have to change a tire at the side of the highway, you want to get it done as quickly and as safely as possible. And if you know the procedure, and have the right tools to hand, you can be back on the highway in just 10 minutes flat (pardon the pun). So, just follow our guide on how to change a flat tire fast.
No matter what jack you are using, you should never trust your life to it, and only get under the car if jack stands are holding it securely. You could receive serious injuries working under the vehicle when using a proper floor jack as the only means of support, and the OEM spare tire jacks fail or allow the car to roll with much more alarming frequency.
Jack up your car safely
Always observe the following precautions when jacking up a vehicle:
- Stop the vehicle on stable, level ground and block the wheels.
- Put the transmission in Park (automatic) or leave in gear (manual) and set the parking brake (both).
- Locate and remove the jack, lug wrench and spare tire from the car. If they are not in the trunk, check behind storage panels in the cargo area or under the back seat. Occasionally they are also stored under the hood next to the motor or under, or behind, the front seat of a pickup truck.
- Never work under the car while using the factory spare tire jack.
Changing a tire
Now you have all the tools and the spare tire, it is time to get to work.
- Remove the center cap or wheel cover if needed to expose the lug nuts.
- Break the lug nuts loose before you raise the vehicle.
- Locate the proper lifting point. On most vehicles, it is a notch in the seam that runs under the rocker panel, or lifting pads behind the front wheel opening or in front of the rear wheel. If you can’t locate the factory jacking point, refer to your owner’s manual. Solid axle rear drive vehicles often are lifted by the axle or spring pad on leaf springs.
- Place the jack in position under the vehicle and adjust the height by hand until it fits the notches in the rocker panel flange - or touches the lifting pad - nearest the wheel to be changed.
- Insert the handle and operate the jack with a slow, smooth motion until the wheel is off the ground. Remember to lift it high enough so the inflated spare tire will fit.
- Remove the lug nuts, pull off the wheel, install the spare and thread the lug nuts back on finger tight.
- Tighten them snugly with the wrench in a criss-cross pattern, but wait until the vehicle is lowered to tighten them completely.
- Lower the vehicle and remove the jack.
- Tighten the lug nuts to the in a criss-cross pattern with the lug wrench. It is nearly impossible to over tighten lug nuts by hand, but better for them to be too tight then too loose
- If your vehicle is equipped with a small temporary spare tire, remember that it’s intended only for temporary, lower speed use. If not otherwise marked, do not exceed 50 mph while using the temporary spare.
If this cartoon person can do it, so can you:
Turn hazard lights on for safety
Block wheels and apply brake to prevent rolling
Remove hubcap and loosen lug nuts
Jack the car and remove wheel
And if you're fortunate enough to be able to change your flat tire at home, here we detail the various types of car jacks that are available, and how to use them.
