You’ll first make the scene safe, park off the road, engage the brake and chock a wheel, then collect a jack, lug wrench and spare. You’ll loosen lug nuts slightly while the car’s on the ground, lift the vehicle at the proper jack point, swap the flat for the spare, and torque the nuts in a star pattern before lowering. Follow those steps carefully to avoid damage — and keep going to learn exact jack points, torque specs and safety checks.
Key Takeaways
- Safely pull off to level ground, turn on hazards, set the parking brake, and wear high-visibility clothing.
- Chock the opposite wheel and locate the spare, jack, lug wrench, and owner’s manual jack point.
- Loosen lug nuts slightly in a star/crisscross pattern while the tire is on the ground.
- Jack the car at the manufacturer jacking point, remove lug nuts and the flat, then mount the spare and hand-thread lug nuts.
- Lower the car, fully torque lug nuts in a crisscross pattern, store tools, check spare pressure, and drive to repair.
Stop Safely and Prepare Your Vehicle
When you notice a flat, slow down gradually and steer to a stable, level spot away from traffic—preferably a wide shoulder, parking lot, or designated pullout. Park with the vehicle perpendicular to traffic if possible, set the parking brake, and shift into park (automatic) or first/reverse (manual). Turn off the engine and remove the key. Activate hazard lights and place emergency signals: reflective triangles or flares at decreasing distances behind the vehicle to warn approaching drivers. Exit on the passenger side if road conditions are hazardous. Before touching the wheel, inspect the surface to confirm stability and note surrounding traffic patterns. Wear high-visibility clothing and gloves. Review the owner’s manual for model-specific restraints and jacking points as part of initial safety precautions.
Gather Tools and the Spare Tire
Locate the spare tire and any wheel cover in your trunk or undercarriage and set them within reach. Gather the lug wrench, jack, wheel chocks, and gloves, confirming each tool is functional. Verify the jack’s correct placement point on your vehicle before you raise it.
Locate the Spare Tire
Before you jack up the car, find the spare and the tools you’ll need: jack, lug wrench, and any wheel-lock key. Locate the spare tire quickly and safely. Open the trunk or liftgate, release the cargo floor, and inspect the tire compartment; spares are often secured under a cover or held by a fastener. If you don’t see it, check under the vehicle for a rear-mounted carrier.
- Verify the spare’s inflation and condition before removal.
- Identify and rotate any retaining bolt or wing nut.
- Use the correct release method to avoid dropping the tire.
- Keep small parts (bolts, clips) in a container to prevent loss.
- Note the spare’s orientation for correct reinstallation.
Handle the spare systematically; don’t improvise.
Gather Necessary Tools
3 items matter most: the correctly rated spare, a jack that fits your vehicle’s jacking points, and a lug wrench (plus any wheel-lock key). Confirm spare pressure and load rating match vehicle requirements. Inspect the spare for damage and a usable valve stem. Verify the jack’s capacity and compatible lift points before use.
Collect essential equipment: lug wrench (cross or socket type), wheel-lock key, jack, and jack handle. Include a torque wrench if available to tighten lug nuts to spec after lowering. Optional but recommended tool types: breaker bar, gloves, and reflective triangle. Store tools where you can access them without unloading trunk cargo. Organize tools so you can reach the lug wrench and jack quickly. Keep manufacturer’s tool list in the vehicle for verification.
Check Jack Placement
Set the car on firm, level ground, apply the parking brake, and chock the wheel diagonally opposite the flat so the vehicle can’t roll while you position the jack. You’ll inspect the vehicle’s jacking points, selecting the manufacturer-specified spot near the wheel. Choose appropriate jack types (scissor, bottle, hydraulic trolley) and confirm load capacity exceeds vehicle curb weight. Position the jack saddle under the jacking point, align it squarely, and verify jack stability before lifting. Raise slowly, watching for body contact or slippage; stop at small increments to recheck alignment.
- Confirm manufacturer jacking point location and surface condition
- Use a spreader plate on soft ground
- Verify jack rated capacity
- Keep hands clear during lift
- Lower only on controlled descent mechanisms
Loosen the Lug Nuts
Pick the socket that matches the lug nuts exactly to avoid rounding. Position the wrench and apply firm, steady force—don’t jerk—to break the nuts loose. Keep the vehicle on the ground while loosening so the wheel can’t spin.
Use the Correct Socket
Choose the socket that matches your lug nuts’ size and drive type, and fit it securely onto the wrench before you apply force. You’ll confirm correct engagement visually and by slight tug; a loose fit will round the nut. Use impact sockets only with impact tools; use chrome sockets with hand tools. Know socket types and verify drive size (1/2″, 3/8″, etc.) to avoid slippage. Check the socket for cracks or wear and replace if damaged. Mark or note torque specs so you don’t under- or over-tighten when reinstalling — proper torque prevents stud damage.
- Verify socket size against the lug nut flats
- Use impact-rated socket on power tools
- Inspect socket condition before use
- Match wrench drive to socket drive
- Keep torque spec accessible for reinstallation
Apply Firm, Steady Force
Before you jack the vehicle, loosen the lug nuts by applying firm, steady force to the wrench so they start to break free without spinning the wheel. Position the socket squarely on each nut, confirm torque direction is counterclockwise, and brace the wrench perpendicular to the nut face. Use your body weight for controlled force application; avoid sudden jerks. If leverage is insufficient, fit a breaker bar or extend the handle, keeping steady pressure throughout the initial turn to overcome static friction. Loosen each nut a half to one full turn in a star or crisscross pattern to maintain rotor seating. Do not remove nuts yet. Recheck tightness if any nut spins; re-seat the wrench and repeat controlled steady pressure until all nuts are loosened.
Lift the Vehicle With the Jack
Position the jack on the vehicle’s designated lift point, then crank it until the tire clears the ground by about 1–2 inches; make certain the jack sits on firm, level ground and that the vehicle is in park (or first gear) with the parking brake engaged and wheel chocks placed on the opposite wheel. You’ll raise the vehicle incrementally, checking jack alignment and contact pad seating to guarantee jack safety and vehicle stability. Stop if the jack shifts or the vehicle tilts; reposition and resecure chocks. Keep body parts clear of the wheel well during lifting. Use a secondary support (jack stand) before working under or near the wheel area.
- Verify lift point location from the owner’s manual.
- Inspect jack and stands for defects.
- Lift in short increments, rechecking stability.
- Avoid overextending the jack.
- Place jack stands on solid ground.
Remove the Flat and Mount the Spare
Loosen the lug nuts one turn with the wrench while the wheel’s still on the ground to prevent the wheel from spinning, then fully raise the vehicle with the jack until the flat tire clears the ground by about 1–2 inches. Remove the lug nuts completely in a star pattern and keep them together on a clean surface. Grasp the wheel at 3 and 9 o’clock, pull straight off the hub, and set the flat tire aside with its valve stem up to avoid damage. Align the spare’s bolt holes with the hub, slide the spare onto the studs, and hand-thread lug nuts to seat the wheel. Use the wrench to snug nuts in a star sequence until finger-tight; do not fully torque while the car remains elevated. Perform spare installation methodically.
Lower the Car and Secure Your Tools
Lower the car slowly with the jack until the spare just contacts the ground and the vehicle bears most of its weight; don’t fully lower it yet. You’ll verify wheel alignment, ascertain lug nuts are snug in a star sequence, and keep the jack stable. Prioritize car safety: set the parking brake, place wheel chocks, and avoid working under the vehicle.
- Confirm jack placement and inspect for slippage before lowering.
- Tighten lug nuts incrementally in a cross pattern to specified torque.
- Lower the jack until the car fully rests on the spare, then remove the jack.
- Organize tools: return wrench, jack handle, and lug wrench to a single container.
- Store the flat securely and note damage for repair.
Finish by rechecking torque and tool organization for safe departure.
Conclusion
You’ve stopped safely, engaged the brake and chocked the opposite wheel. Gather the jack, lug wrench and spare, then loosen lug nuts in a star pattern while the tire’s grounded. Raise the vehicle with the jack at the manufacturer’s lift point, remove the flat and mount the spare, aligning holes and hand-threading lugs. Lower the vehicle, torque the lug nuts fully in a star pattern, stow tools and flat, and check tire pressure before driving.