Safety First
Before changing a tire, ensure your vehicle is parked on a flat surface, away from traffic. Engage the parking brake and place wheel wedges against the tires opposite of the flat to prevent rolling.
Loosen Lug Nuts
Using a lug wrench, turn the lug nuts counterclockwise just enough to break their resistance. Do this before lifting the vehicle with a jack to prevent the wheel from spinning.
Proper Jack Placement
Locate your vehicle's specific jack points to safely lift and support the vehicle. Improper placement can cause damage to the vehicle or instability while lifting.
Lift and Remove Tire
Raise the vehicle with the jack until the flat tire is off the ground. Then, remove the lug nuts completely, and take off the tire by pulling it straight toward you.
Mount Spare Tire
Align the spare tire with the lug bolts and push it into place. Hand-tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to ensure even distribution of pressure.
Lower Vehicle Partially
Lower the jack slightly so the spare tire begins to bear the vehicle's weight. This stability allows you to fully tighten the lug nuts without the wheel spinning.
Final Tightening and Checks
Lower the vehicle completely. With the vehicle's full weight on the spare, tighten the lug nuts with the wrench, following the crisscross pattern. Verify tightness and that the spare has proper air pressure.
Surprising Spare Tire Fact
Your car's spare tire can lose up to 2 psi of pressure each month just sitting in your trunk. Regular checks are essential!