- Feb 6
- 5 min read

Guide on: How to Change a Flat Tire?

The typical headache: Stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire, your heart sinks as you realize the inconvenience and urgency of the situation. The moment is made all the more frustrating when it's in the middle of rush hour traffic, just before a crucial job interview, or on your way to an important first date. Changing a tire is a task that no one looks forward to, but with the right preparation and knowledge, it can be a stress-free process.

Are you tired of feeling helpless and stranded every time you get a flat tire? It's time to take control and equip yourself with the necessary skills to handle the situation with ease. With a few simple tips and tricks, you'll be back on the road in no time, ready to conquer the day ahead.

Having trouble with a flat tire can be stressful, but there are ways to make it easier. If you have a car with run-flat tires or a tire pressure monitoring system, you won't have to worry about changing a tire. But if your car doesn't have these, don't worry! You can still be prepared with a tire repair kit. If you need help, don't forget about roadside assistance plans from carmakers or auto clubs. They offer a tire change service to help you out. Even if you have to change the tire yourself, it doesn't have to be a bad experience. Watch our video and learn more.

Safety: Flat tire changes can be dangerous, especially if you don't have the proper tools and equipment. A professional has the expertise and tools to change a tire quickly and safely, reducing the risk of injury.

Proper technique: A professional has the training and experience to change a tire correctly and efficiently. Improperly changing a tire can cause damage to the tire or the vehicle, leading to more costly repairs.

Time-saving: A professional can change a tire quickly and get you back on the road without delay. This saves you time and reduces the stress of being stranded on the side of the road.

8 Easy Steps for Changing a Flat Tire!

Pull over to a safe spot
Locate your spare tire, jack, and tire iron
Unfasten the wheel lugs on the flat tire
Lift the car using the jack
Take off the flat tire
Put the spare tire in place
Lower the car with the jack
Tighten the wheel lugs on the spare tire

1. Pull over to a safe spot

While driving, you hear a loud noise and feel a thumping sensation. It's likely that you have a flat tire. To handle this situation safely, follow these steps:

Slowly pull off the road to a safe location
Check your surroundings to make sure it's safe to exit the vehicle
Get out of the car and inspect the tire to confirm the issue.

2. Locate your spare tire, jack, and tire iron.

If you have a flat tire, don't panic! The first thing to do

is to locate your car's spare tire, jack, and tire iron. This is usually found in the trunk, under the floor mat. However, for SUVs, minivans or pickups, the spare tire may be mounted on the back of the tailgate or under the vehicle.

Once you have the spare tire, it's important to check its air pressure with an air gauge. If the spare tire is also flat, you'll need to find a different solution. But, let's assume the spare tire is in good shape.

Before changing the tire, make sure the car is in "Park" or in gear if it's manual. Set the emergency brake and park on a flat surface. Avoid changing the tire on a slope or dirt and block the tire opposite of the flat tire to ensure the car stays in place while you're changing it.

3. Unfasten the wheel lugs on the flat tire.

Unfastening the wheel lugs on the flat tire is a crucial step in changing a flat tire. The wheel lugs hold the wheel onto the axle, and in order to remove the flat tire and install the spare tire, the wheel lugs must be loosened first. This allows the wheel to be removed from the axle, making it possible to install the spare tire. Failure to unfasten the wheel lugs before attempting to change a tire could result in the wheel being stuck in place and the tire change becoming much more difficult or even impossible.

how to unfasten the wheel lugs on a flat tire

When you have a flat tire, first find your spare tire, jack and tire iron. If you own an SUV, minivan or pickup, though, the spare tire is often mounted on the back of the tailgate or underneath the vehicle. the air pressure of the spare tire if possible. Make sure your car is parked on a flat surface and in "Park" or in gear with the emergency brake set. Don't change the tire if the car is on a slope or dirt. To keep the car stable, block the tire opposite the flat one by placing a heavy object behind it.

4. Lift the car using the Jack.

To change a flat tire, you'll need a Jack Lift that would be placed under the vehicle along side of the tire being changed. Most modern cars use a scissor jack that operates by turning a knob with a hand crank. Once the jack is in position, use the hand crank to raise it until it touches the car's frame. Continue turning the crank until the car is raised enough for the flat tire to be completely lifted off the ground.

5. Take off the flat tire.

Locate the jack and jack point under the car.

Place the jack at the jack point and turn the hand crank to raise the car.

Remove the wheel lugs securing the flat tire.

Remove the flat tire.

Replace with the spare tire and tighten the wheel lugs securely.

6. Put the spare tire in place.

To replace a flat tire with the spare, first position the spare tire over the wheel studs. This can be challenging as you need to hold up the tire and align the holes with the studs. A helpful tip is to balance the tire on your foot while aligning it. If necessary, you may have to raise the car higher using the jack to fit the spare.

Once the spare is in place, screw on each of the wheel lugs by hand, ensuring they are not cross-threaded. Use the tire iron to tighten the lugs after they are snug. It is important to make sure the wheel is flush against the brake hub and that the lugs are snug, but not super tight.

7. Lower the car with the jack, and your done!

After placing the spare tire, gently lower the car with the jack and remove the jack from under the car. Tighten the wheel lugs securely, as the tire is now on the ground and won't move. Make sure the lugs are tightened as much as possible, though a specific torque rating is difficult to determine with just a tire iron.

Finally, store the flat tire where the spare was, and put away the jack and tire iron. Keep in mind that compact spare tires may be smaller than regular tires and may not fit back in the spare tire well.

8. Need a professional to help?

If you need help changing your flat tire, call TTN Roadside Assistance. They will dispatch a professional to assist you with the tire change. The professional will arrive equipped with all the necessary tools and equipment to change your flat tire quickly and safely. With TTN Roadside Assistance, you can be confident that you'll get back on the road in no time. No need to worry about being stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire. Simply call TTN Roadside Assistance and they will take care of the rest. Their services are available 24/7, so you can call them whenever you need assistance. Don't hesitate to call TTN Roadside Assistance for help with changing your flat tire.