No idea how to change a flat tyre? Because you never know when a flat might let you down, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you back on the road fast. And to find out what to watch out for along the way, check out some of the common mistakes made when changing a tyre.
And to find out what to watch out for along the way, check out some of the common mistakes made when changing a tyre.
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1. Flat ground, hazard lights on
To safely change a tyre, you’ll need to be on flat, hard ground. Firmly apply the handbrake and turn on your hazard lights if you’re on the side of the road. Before you start, check the condition of your spare tyre.
2. Wheel chocks
Place wheel chocks on the tyre opposite to the flat to stop the car from rolling when it’s jacked up. You can use a brick, a piece of wood or even a rock if you don’t have a wheel chock.
3. Remove hubcap
Remove the hubcap of the flat tyre. You may need to prise it off with the sharp end of the wrench or a similar tool.
4. Loosen lug nuts
Using the wrench, loosen all lug nuts by applying force in an anticlockwise direction but don’t take them off completely. Get them to a point where you can turn them by hand.
5. Raise the car
Check your car owner’s manual to see exactly where to place the jack. If you jack up a car in the wrong spot, it can come crashing down and injure you. Using the jack, slowly raise the car until it’s at least 6cm off the ground, allowing enough room to get the flat tyre off and the inflated spare tyre on.
6. Replace flat with spare
Remove the loosened nuts, firmly grip the flat tyre by the outer edges and slowly pull it toward you to take it off. Line up your spare tyre with the car’s bolts or holes, lift it up then slide it onto the hub. Replace the nuts and tighten them but don’t over-tighten.
7. Lower the car
Slowly lower the car using the jack. Once all the weight is off the jack, remove it from underneath the car.
8. Fully tighten lug nuts
Use your wrench to tighten the lugs the rest of the way. They should be fully secure but not over-tightened. It’s worth rechecking that the nuts are still tight after the car has been driven 5 – 10km and checking the tyre pressure on the spare tyre.
You can also watch our "How to change a tyre" video:
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Last updated November, 2020
