Learn how to safely fix a flat tire on your vehicle with this step-by-step DIY guide. Get back on the road quickly using basic tools.
Automotive
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Take care
The main risk is the vehicle falling off the jack, which can cause serious injury. Never place any part of your body under the vehicle while it is supported only by a jack.
Safety gear: Work gloves, Reflective vest
Where to find it
The spare tire, jack, and lug wrench are usually located in the trunk under the floor panel, in a side storage compartment, or mounted underneath the rear of the vehicle. Check your owner's manual for the exact location on your specific vehicle.
What it looks like
The jack is typically a metal scissor or bottle-shaped tool, and the spare tire is often a smaller, distinct 'donut' tire or a full-sized wheel.
Tools Required (6)
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Parts (1)
Get the exact part. Parts change by year, make, model and engine. Give the parts store all four, or your VIN (it's on your registration, on the sticker inside the driver's door, and on the dashboard where it meets the windshield on the driver's side), and they'll match the right part for your vehicle.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
1.
Find a safe, flat, and level location away from traffic, turn on your hazard lights, and engage the parking brake firmly.
2.
Place wheel chocks in front of and behind the tire diagonally opposite the flat tire to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
3.
Locate your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench; these are usually in the trunk under the floor panel, in a side compartment, or mounted under the vehicle.
4.
Use the lug wrench to loosen each lug nut about half a turn counterclockwise while the tire is still on the ground; do not remove them yet.
5.
Consult your owner's manual to identify the correct jacking point on the vehicle frame near the flat tire and position the jack there.
6.
Operate the jack to lift the vehicle until the flat tire is a few inches off the ground, ensuring the jack remains stable and level.
7.
Remove the lug nuts completely, pull the flat tire off the hub, and set it aside.
8.
Align the spare tire with the wheel studs, push it firmly onto the hub, and hand-tighten the lug nuts until they are snug.
9.
Lower the vehicle slowly until the spare tire touches the ground and supports some weight, then use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts firmly in a criss-cross pattern.
10.
Lower the vehicle completely, remove the jack, and perform a final check to ensure all lug nuts are tightened securely.
11.
Drive to a service station to have your flat tire repaired or replaced and to check the spare tire pressure.
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