How to Change a Tyre: Step-by-Step Guide

Knowing how to change a tyre is one of those skills you hope you will never need — but when you do, you will be glad you know the basics. This guide walks you through the process step by step, with an emphasis on doing it safely. And if at any point you are unsure or uncomfortable, calling a professional is always the safest option.

Before You Start: What You Need

Check that you have the following in your car (ideally before you actually need them):

• A spare tyre — either a full-size spare or a space-saver. Check it is properly inflated.
• A jack — the one supplied with your car is designed for your specific vehicle.
• A wheel brace (lug wrench) — the correct size for your wheel nuts.
• Your locking wheel nut key — if your car has locking nuts.
• A high-visibility vest — essential if you are at the roadside.
• A torch — if you are working in low light.
• Gloves — optional but useful, as wheels and tyres can be dirty and sharp.

Step 1: Find a Safe Location

Never change a tyre on a motorway hard shoulder if you can avoid it — call for breakdown assistance instead. For other roads, find a flat, stable surface away from traffic. Switch on your hazard lights and wear your high-visibility vest. If you have a warning triangle, place it at least 45 metres behind your car.

Step 2: Prepare the Vehicle

• Apply the handbrake firmly
• Put the car in first gear (manual) or Park (automatic)
• If possible, place a wheel chock (or a brick or heavy stone) behind the wheel diagonally opposite the one you are changing — this prevents the car from rolling
• Get all passengers out of the vehicle and to a safe location away from the road

Step 3: Loosen the Wheel Nuts

Before jacking up the car, use the wheel brace to loosen the wheel nuts by about a quarter turn. Do this while the tyre is still on the ground — this gives you the resistance you need to break the nuts free. Turn anticlockwise to loosen.

If the nuts are very tight, you can use your body weight by carefully standing on the brace (make sure it is securely on the nut). Do not use extensions or pipes on the brace — this can damage the nuts or the brace.

Step 4: Position and Raise the Jack

This is a critical step. Using the jack in the wrong position can damage your car or, worse, cause it to fall.

• Consult your vehicle handbook for the correct jacking point — there are reinforced areas on the sill (the metal strip along the bottom of the car) designed specifically for this purpose.
• Place the jack on firm, level ground. If the surface is soft (like grass or gravel), place a flat board under the jack to spread the load.
• Raise the jack until the flat tyre is about 2 to 3 centimetres off the ground — you do not need it any higher.

Step 5: Remove the Flat Tyre

• Fully unscrew the loosened wheel nuts and place them somewhere safe — a pocket or a cup holder, not on the ground where they can roll away.
• Pull the flat tyre straight towards you and off the hub. Tyres are heavy (typically 15 to 25kg for a car tyre and wheel), so brace yourself.
• Lay the flat tyre flat on the ground, ideally under the car near the jack as a safety measure — if the jack fails, the car will land on the old tyre rather than the bare brake disc.

Step 6: Fit the Spare Tyre

• Lift the spare tyre onto the hub, lining up the bolt holes.
• Hand-tighten the wheel nuts in a star or cross pattern — this ensures the wheel seats evenly against the hub. Do not fully tighten them yet.

Step 7: Lower the Car and Tighten

• Lower the jack until the tyre is firmly on the ground but the full weight of the car is not yet on it.
• Now tighten the wheel nuts firmly using the star pattern — tighten one, then the one opposite, and so on. This prevents the wheel from tilting.
• Lower the jack completely and remove it.
• Give each nut a final check with the brace to make sure they are all secure.

Step 8: After the Change

• Check the spare tyre pressure as soon as possible — many space-savers need to be inflated to 60 PSI.
• If you are on a space-saver spare, do not exceed 50mph and get a full-size tyre fitted as soon as you can. Space-savers are temporary.
• Get your wheel nuts re-torqued — after driving 50 miles on the spare, have the nuts checked with a torque wrench to ensure they are at the correct tightness.
• Store the flat tyre, jack, and tools back in the boot.

When to Call a Professional Instead

There is absolutely no shame in calling for help. In fact, it is the recommended course of action if:

• You are on a busy or fast road
• You are unsure about the jacking point
• The ground is uneven or soft
• You do not have the right tools
• The wheel nuts are seized or you cannot find the locking key
• It is dark, raining, or otherwise poor conditions
• You have a physical limitation that makes the task difficult

NN Mobile Tyres provides professional mobile tyre fitting across Oxford and Oxfordshire, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A qualified technician will come to your exact location with the right tools and equipment to get you sorted safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tight should wheel nuts be?

Wheel nuts should be tightened to the manufacturer's specified torque, which varies by vehicle — typically between 90 and 120 Nm for most cars. Over-tightening can damage the studs and make future removal difficult. After fitting a spare, have the nuts checked with a torque wrench at the earliest opportunity.

Can I change a tyre on a slope?

It is not recommended. Jacks are designed to work on flat, level surfaces. On a slope, the car could roll or the jack could topple. If you cannot find a flat area, it is safer to call for professional assistance.

How long can I drive on a space-saver spare?

Space-saver spares are designed for temporary use only — ideally no more than 50 miles and at speeds not exceeding 50mph. They have a thinner tread, a smaller contact patch, and are not suitable for extended driving. Get a full-size replacement fitted as soon as possible.

Need help? Call NN Mobile Tyres on 07362 638978 or WhatsApp us — we are available 24/7 across Oxfordshire.