A flat tyre can happen to anyone, anywhere. Whether it is a nail on your daily commute or a blowout on a country road, knowing how to safely change a tyre is an essential driving skill.
Before You Start
- Pull well off the road onto a flat, firm surface
- Turn on your hazard lights
- Apply the handbrake
- Put the car in gear (manual) or Park (auto)
- Get all passengers out of the car and away from traffic
What You Need (Should Be in Your Boot)
- Spare tyre (check it is inflated — inspect it every few months)
- Jack
- Wheel brace (lug wrench)
- Wheel chocks or a brick (to stop the car rolling)
- Torch (if it is dark)
- Gloves (optional but recommended)
Step-by-Step
1. Chock the Wheels
Place chocks or a heavy object behind the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tyre to prevent rolling.
2. Loosen the Wheel Nuts
While the car is still on the ground, use the wheel brace to loosen each nut a half turn. Turn anti-clockwise. Do not remove them yet. If they are very tight, use your foot on the brace for extra leverage.
3. Position the Jack
Find the correct jacking point — check your owner manual. It is usually a reinforced section under the sill near each wheel. Never jack on the body panels or suspension components.
4. Raise the Car
Jack the car up until the flat tyre is about 2-3 centimetres off the ground. Only enough to remove and fit the wheel.
5. Remove the Flat
Fully unscrew the nuts and pull the flat tyre off. Place it flat under the car as a safety backup in case the jack fails.
6. Fit the Spare
Lift the spare onto the studs. Thread the nuts on by hand first, then tighten them in a star pattern (not sequentially around the circle).
7. Lower and Tighten
Lower the jack until the tyre touches the ground but does not bear the full weight. Now fully tighten the nuts in the star pattern. Lower the jack completely and remove it.
8. Check and Drive
Check the nuts are tight. If your spare is a space-saver (skinny spare), do not exceed 80 km/h and drive to a tyre shop as soon as possible. Space savers are temporary only.
Need a new tyre or your flat repaired? Bring it to Heatherdale Automotive and we will sort it out quickly.