What You'll Need Before You Start

Getting a flat tyre is one of those frustrating but common driving experiences. Knowing how to change it yourself can save you time, money, and a long roadside wait. Before anything else, make sure your vehicle has these essentials — check them before you ever need them:

  • A spare tyre (inflated and in usable condition)
  • A car jack (hydraulic or scissor jack)
  • A lug wrench (usually stored with the jack)
  • Your vehicle's owner manual (locates jack points)
  • Optional but helpful: reflective triangle or cones, gloves, a torch/flashlight

Step 1: Get to Safety

As soon as you feel or hear a flat tyre, don't brake suddenly. Ease off the accelerator, turn on your hazard lights, and steer gradually to the side of the road. Aim for a flat, stable surface away from traffic — a car park or side street is ideal. Avoid stopping on a curve, hill, or narrow shoulder if at all possible.

Once stopped, apply the handbrake firmly and turn on your hazard lights if you haven't already. If you have a reflective triangle, place it behind your vehicle at a safe distance.

Step 2: Loosen the Lug Nuts

Before lifting the car with the jack, loosen the lug nuts while the tyre is still on the ground — this prevents the wheel from spinning. Use the lug wrench to turn each nut counterclockwise about half a turn. Don't remove them fully yet, just break the resistance.

Step 3: Position and Raise the Jack

Consult your owner's manual to find the correct jack points — typically reinforced metal areas along the vehicle's frame near each wheel. Placing the jack in the wrong spot can damage your car's undercarriage.

Once positioned correctly, raise the jack until the flat tyre is approximately 15–20 cm (6 inches) off the ground. Never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack.

Step 4: Remove the Flat Tyre

  1. Fully unscrew and remove the lug nuts — keep them somewhere safe (a pocket or cupped in your hand)
  2. Pull the flat tyre straight toward you and set it aside

Step 5: Mount the Spare Tyre

  1. Lift the spare and align its holes with the wheel bolts on the hub
  2. Push it firmly onto the bolts
  3. Hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern (not a circle) — this ensures even seating

Step 6: Lower the Car and Fully Tighten

Lower the jack carefully until the tyre touches the ground but the full vehicle weight hasn't settled. Then use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts firmly — again in a star pattern. Lower the jack completely and remove it, then give the nuts one final check.

Step 7: Check the Spare and Get Your Tyre Repaired

Most spare tyres — especially compact "donut" spares — are not meant for long-term use or high speeds. Check your manual for speed and distance limitations. Drive to a tyre shop as soon as practical to have your flat repaired or replaced and to have the lug nuts re-torqued properly.

Safety Reminders

  • Never change a tyre on a slope or unstable ground if you can avoid it
  • Always use wheel wedges or large rocks behind the opposite tyres if available
  • If you're on a motorway or fast road and can't reach a safe area, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on and call for roadside assistance

Practicing this process in your driveway once means you'll be calm and capable when it happens on the road. A little preparation goes a long way.