Beginners Car Care - Spare Wheel Change

Welcome to the fifth installment of our Beginners Car Care guides, where we break down simple auto maintenance jobs so you’re able to DIY install with our products and save yourself hundreds of dollars from a trip to your mechanic. Not everyone grew up with a grease monkey family member, so there are no stupid questions here. Today we’ll be covering one of the most important yet simple jobs you can complete on your vehicle, a flat tyre change. 

Flat tires can happen to anyone at any time, which is why it's essential to know how to change your spare wheel. Changing a tire is a straightforward process, but it requires a little bit of knowledge and the right tools. In this beginner's guide, we'll walk you through the steps to change your spare wheel on your car.

Step 1: Find a Safe Spot

If you experience a flat tire while driving, try to find a safe spot to pull over. Make sure you park your car on a flat and stable surface. If you’re on the side of a busy road or highway, turn on your hazard lights, and consider setting up warning triangles or cones around your vehicle.

Step 2: Gather Your Tools

Before you start changing your spare wheel, gather all the necessary tools. You’ll need a jack, a lug wrench, and the spare wheel. The jack is a device used to lift the car off the ground, and the lug wrench is used to remove the lug nuts that hold the wheel in place. Most cars come with these tools, but if you don’t have them, you can purchase them at an auto parts store.

Step 3: Loosen the Lug Nuts

Before you jack up your car, use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the nuts. Don’t remove them entirely, just loosen them enough so that you can remove them later when the tire is off the ground.

Step 4: Position the Jack

Find the jacking point under your car. This is usually located under the car’s chassis, near the flat tire. Place the jack in the right position, making sure it’s on a flat and stable surface. Consult your car owner’s manual if you’re unsure where to place the jack.

Step 5: Jack Up the Car

Use the jack to lift the car off the ground. Make sure the car is stable and secure before you go any further. You should lift the car high enough so that the flat tire is off the ground and can be removed easily.

Step 6: Remove the Lug Nuts and the Flat Tire

Once the car is lifted, remove the lug nuts and the flat tire. Pull the tire straight off the hub. Be careful, as the tire can be heavy and awkward to handle. If the tire is stuck, gently hit it with a rubber mallet or the flat end of the lug wrench to loosen it.

Step 7: Mount the Spare Tire

Line up the spare tire with the wheel studs, and push it onto the hub. Replace the lug nuts and tighten them by hand as much as possible. Use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts further, turning them clockwise until they’re snug. Don’t over tighten them, as this can damage the studs or the wheel.

Step 8: Lower the Car

Use the jack to lower the car back to the ground. Once the car is on the ground, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts further, turning them clockwise in a star pattern. This ensures that the wheel is centered, and the lug nuts are evenly tightened.

Step 9: Check the Tire Pressure

Once you’ve replaced the flat tire with the spare, it’s essential to check the tire pressure. Make sure the spare tire is inflated to the recommended pressure level. Consult your car owner’s manual or the sticker on the driver’s side door for the correct pressure.

Step 10: Get Your Flat Tire Repaired

Remember that the spare tire is designed to be a temporary fix. It’s not meant to be driven on for long distances or at high speeds. As soon as possible, take your flat tyre to a repair shop to get it patched or replaced with a brand new tyre.