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Change a Flat Tire the Right Way Whether you’re in the middle of a road trip or on your way to work, there’s never a convenient time to get a flat tire. But flats happen, so it pays to be prepared. Here’s what you need to know.
Checking for Tire Wear Checking for tire wear is essential for avoiding flats. Look at the tread (the grooved part of the tire that touches the road). Over time, the tread wears down. Most tires have wear indicators—small bars of rubber embedded within the grooves of the tread. When the tread wears down to the level of those indicators, the tire should be replaced.
Inflate Your Tires Keeping your tires (including your spare) properly inflated will also increase their longevity and ensure your vehicle performs at its best. Molded into the sidewall of your tires you'll find the recommended tire pressures for your vehicle. Grab a tire pressure gauge, check the pressure on all your tires, and inflate them if they’re low. Changing a Tire If you get a flat while driving, focus on maintaining control and carefully pulling over to the shoulder or off the road as soon as it’s safe to do so. Try to stop on a flat, paved surface—changing a tire on soft or slanted ground is dangerous.
Lift Your Car, Remove and Replace the Wheel Set the parking brake and put on your hazards. Grab your jack and a lug wrench. (Most vehicles come with both, but you may need to purchase them–make sure you do.) Use the wrench to "break loose" the lug nuts, but don't remove them yet. Position the jack under the car next to the flat at the jack point specifically indicated in your manual, then lift the car until the flat tire is off the ground. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel. Set your spare on to the lugs and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Then use the wrench to tighten them firmly in a "star" pattern. Lower the car off of the jack and tighten the lug nuts once more in the same pattern. Then, pack up, clean up, and be on your way.

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