1. Prepare your car
2. Position the wheel chocks
3. Loosen the wheel nuts
4. Jack your car up
5. Remove your flat tyre
6. Put on the spare wheel
7. Lower your car
8. Put your equipment away
9. Take your punctured tyre for repair
Have you ever wondered what would happen if one day So, you’re sailing along when you hear a BAM! Pop! Big thud! You feel that long low rumble of the tyre slapping the ground and you instantly feel deflated. Literally.
The truth is punctures and flat tyres are par for the course. So, it’s good to know how to change a tyre.
Getting a flat tyre can be daunting, especially if it’s your first one or you are a new driver. It’s important to pull into a safe place and try not to panic.
It’s not as hard as it looks. Changing a tyre, whether it be on the side of the road or on your own driveway, is a particular set of skills that we all should have. Knowing how to change a tyre could transform your day!
First things first: if you don’t have the right equipment or don’t feel confident enough, you’re best leaving it to someone else – the professionals. And that’s where the value of roadside assistance comes into play.
However, if you are parked in a safe place and have all the right tools at your disposal then perhaps you feel confident in changing a flat tyre without assistance.
Before you start, it’s important to know what equipment you’ll need.
What Equipment Do You Need to Change a Tyre?
Make sure you’ve got these essential tools in your boot:
- Wrench – for removing the wheel nuts
- Jack – for lifting the wheel off the ground
- Wheel chock – to stop the car from rolling when jacked up (bricks can be used instead)
- Wheel nut key – if locking nuts are fitted
- Car handbook – for reference
It may also be useful to carry:
- Torch – for working at night (check batteries regularly)
- Gloves – wheels will be dirty
- Reflective jacket – to make sure you’re visible
- Warning triangle – to alert other drivers to a hazard/obstruction
Now that you know what equipment you’ll need to carry in your boot, let’s learn about the steps to changing a flat tyre.
How to Change a Tyre
1. Prepare your car
- Pull over to a safe place and stick on your hazard lights.
- Switch off your engine.
- Apply the handbrake and remove all passengers.
- Take the spare wheel and necessary tools out of the boot.
- Place your warning triangle out on the road to alert other drivers.
- Don’t forget to wear your reflective jacket.
2. Position the wheel chocks
- Chocks prevent the car from rolling whilst jacked up, but bricks or large rocks can also work.
- Remember to position the chocks to the opposite side of your punctured tyre.
For example, if your left-front tyre has a puncture, put a chock behind the right-rear wheel.
3. Loosen the wheel nuts
- It’s easier – and safer – to do this while the car is on the ground.
- Lever off the plastic wheel trim if you have one.
- To loosen the nuts, remember the old phrase “Righty tighty, lefty loosey” so always turn the nut left or anti-clockwise to loosen it. Clockwise to tighten it.
- Use your foot or get your body weight behind for some extra force.
Read More: Tyres...How to Keep them Healthy
4. Jack your car up
- Once the nuts are loose, look at your car's handbook to find the correct position to place your jack - usually found alongside the car's frame close to the puncture.
- Sweep away any stones or debris so the surface is relatively smooth.
- If the road is rocky, place a small plank of wood under the jack to help keep it stable.
- Raise the vehicle with the jack slowly until the flat tyre is 10-15cm off the ground.
5. Remove your flat tyre
- Once the wheel nuts are removed, slowly remove the flat tyre and place it under the car (using it as a support mechanism just in case the jack gives way).
- If your wheel is stuck, don’t worry. All it takes is a little persuasion
6. Put on the spare wheel
- Slide the spare wheel onto the protruding hub bolts, or in line with the wheel nut slots (warning: it’s heavy to lift so take care).
- Replace and tighten the wheel nuts by hand….righty tighty!
7. Lower your car
- Remove the flat tyre from underneath the vehicle and wind the jack down until the spare tyre is taking on the vehicle’s weight.
- Remove the jack.
8. Put your equipment away
- Stow the jack and the other tyre in the boot, along with the rest of your equipment.
- If you have a wheel trim, clip it back onto the new wheel or store it safely in the boot.
9. Take your punctured tyre for repair
- After you’ve changed your wheel, it’s important to visit a garage or tyre fitters at the first opportunity and give them your punctured wheel.
- They will advise whether to repair or replace it.
- Although it may be expensive to replace, check to see if your car insurance policy covers the cost.
TOP TIP: Don’t drive on a space-saver spare wheel for longer than is necessary – they’re only intended for emergencies.
If you can’t get to a mechanic soon and find yourself driving on your spare wheel for longer than intended, then remember these final words of advice:
- Don’t drive faster than 80km/h on a spare tyre even if you’re driving on a motorway. Driving them like regular tyres increases your chance of another puncture.
- Ensure to regularly check tyre pressure and keep it well maintained.
- Don’t drive long distances using a spare tyre. Although this can be difficult if you’re far from the nearest town, the sensible thing to do is drive to a nearby mechanic after changing your flat tyre.
