Make sure you park on a hard surface so the jack can lift the car safely!

Here is a list of the things you will need to change tires:

Lugwrench

 

Homemade lugwrench

Jack

Things that may be helpful to have:

• rag or towel
• owner’s manual
• rubber hammer
• large flat-blade screwdriver

Where you might find these items:

• for a car: the jack and the lug wrench are almost always stored in the trunk of the car. Either in a side compartment or with the spare in a storage below the carpet. Some cars store the spare in the back under the car. If so, then you will need to read your owner’s manual (usually found in the glove compartment) for instructions on how to lower the spare tire from under the car for use

• for a truck: the jack and the lug wrench are usually stored under the hood or behind the back seat. The spare tire is usually mounted to the tailgate or mounted in the bed of the truck.

Got everything? Let’s get started!

Locate the proper location to place the jack for the tire you are changing. (Refer to the owner’s manual.)

Remove hubcap from the tire to be changed. Use the flattened end of the lug wrench or large flat blade screwdriver to pry off the hubcap.

 

Loosen lug nuts with lug wrench. Turn counterclockwise.  (exception: some early cars (1940-1950) reversed the process on the driver’s side – Turn those nuts clockwise to loosen) DO NOT REMOVE!

Jack up the car to where the tire you are replacing is just off the ground. Turn jack handle clockwise.                                                               

Finish removing the lug nuts, either by hand or with lug wrench. Place removed lug nuts out of the way, but where they can still be reached to install when the time comes.

Lift the flat tire off of the studs and out of the way. CAUTION: Tire will be dirty, a little heavy, and may have sharp exposed wires if a radial.

Install the spare tire by lining up the studs and the holes in the wheel. You may need to raise the jack to install the spare, since it is not flat.

Manually tightened all lug nuts.

Lower jack and remove. Turn jack handle counterclockwise.

Tighten up all lug nuts with lug wrench as tight as possible in the following pattern.

 

Reinstall hubcap by pounding with fist or rubber hammer if you have one.

Return jack and lug wrench to their original location. Place flat tire in trunk of car or bed of truck.

Clean your hands with cloth, towel or rag.

Close trunk and continue driving.

Get flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.