How to change a tyre?

How to change a car tyre? 

1. Pull over in a safe place.

If you’re driving and you suspect one or more of your tyres may be flat look for a suitable place to pull over. Ideally, you want to look for somewhere with a bit of room where you have the space to change your tyre, however, that isn’t always possible. Do make sure you choose somewhere that isn’t on a bend though and is ideally as level as possible.

2. Hazards, handbrake & in gear 

When you realise your tyre is flat activate your hazard lights to signal to other road users that your car will be slowing down. If once you’ve pulled over your vehicle remains on the road then leave your hazards on to avoid an accident. Apply your handbrake to ensure your car is completely still and put it in gear/park to stop it rolling should the handbrake fail. You also want to consider putting wheel wedges in front or behind the wheel to stop it from rolling. 

3. Remove the wheel cover or hubcap 

Not every car has these so if yours doesn’t just skip ahead to the next step.

4. Remove the wheel nuts.

Whilst your car is still on the ground, use the wheel wrench to loosen the wheel nuts, don’t remove them just yet though.

5. Jack your car up.

Consult your car manual to locate the jacking point if you don’t already know its location. Place the jack underneath your jacking point and raise your car slowly.

6. Remove the wheel nuts.

Now you can remove the wheel nuts and bolts and slowly pull the wheel towards you to remove the flat tyre. Once you have it off set it on its side to ensure it doesn’t roll away.

7. Mount the spare tyre.

It’s recommended to have a spare tyre, but if it’s an emergency you may be using a space safer. Either way line the wheel up and push gently until the bolts show through the rim.

8. Screw the nuts on by hand.

Remember turn right to tighten.

9. Lower the vehicle & tighten the nuts fully.

Slowly lower the car so that the wheel is on the ground but so that your car is still partially supported by the jack. Now use your wrench and your body weight to tighten the nuts until they feel snug, don’t be afraid to stand on the wrench to ensure they are nice and tight.

10. Lower the car completely & remove the jack. 

Now you’re happy the new wheel isn’t going anywhere, you can lower the car completely and remove the jack.

11. Refit the hubcaps & covers.

Now you can refit the hubcaps and any wheel covers you removed earlier.

12. Double check there’s enough pressure in your spare tyre.

Before driving away check that the spare tyre is inflated to the recommended amount, most tyres say on them what they’re recommended psi is. Find out how to check your tyre pressure. 

13. Get the flat tyre repaired.

You’re good to go. Now it’s time to take that flat tyre to a technician for repair.  

There you have it a simple guide on how to change a car tyre. Now you might be wondering if there is anything you can do to help make changing a tyre a rare occurrence. Below we’ve answered some common questions about car tyres to ensure you reduce your risk of running into trouble. 

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