How to change a tire

Turn on your hazard lights and pull as far off the road as possible. If you're on the freeway, don't be afraid to continue driving to the next exit ramp.

Flat surfaces are best to change your tire. Gas stations, parking lots or any other paved surfaces are a good option. Dirt or grass, unlike pavement, can sink your jack. Never change your tire on a hill or around a curve where other vehicles cannot see you.

Stabilize your vehicle by throwing on the emergency brake. For automatic vehicles, make sure you're set to park. For manual transmissions, put it in gear.

Then, place wheel chocks or heavy rocks behind the tires opposite of the one you are changing. These act as additional security to make sure your vehicle doesn't roll away.

Pull out your lug wrench, jack and spare tire.

Skip this step if your wheel doesn't have a hubcap.

You can pry the hubcap off using a hubcap cool, screwdriver or flat end of the jack handle or lug wrench. Do this carefully by prying in a few places, like you would a paint lid can. If your hubcap is fastened with lug nuts, leave them on. You'll loosen them in the next step.

You'll need to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel before you can jack your car up. Don't remove the lug nuts completely yet.

Do this by rotating the wrench one turn, counter clockwise, on the first lug nut. Then, do the same to the nut directly opposite the first. Continue doing this so you make a star-shaped pattern. You may need to push down using your body weight if they are very tight.

Once you've loosened the wheel's lug nuts, use the jack to lift the vehicle until the tire is fully raised off the ground.

Your owner's manual will have instructions on the best place to position the jack. It will also instruct you how to operate it. If your vehicle seems at all unstable, immediately lower the jack. You may need to reposition it.

Never position yourself where the car can land on your feet, hands or body while the vehicle is lifted.

Remove the loosened lug nuts with your lug wrench and place them in a secure location.

Be careful as they are typically very hot from normal heat build-up caused by driving. If you have a hubcap, you can use it as a bowl to hold them. Keeping them in an isolated, easy to reach place will prevent loss and also help you avoid creating a dangerous environment for others on the road.

Grasp the flat tire with two hands and pull it straight back towards your chest. If your tire was damaged, be careful not to grab any exposed metal cords on the tire.

Once removed, lay it under the car near the jack. The tire may possibly catch the vehicle if the jack should slip. If you have aftermarket wheels, remember to remove any wheel accessories from the hub, such as hub rings.

Hold the spare up, align it with the wheel bolts, and push it securely onto the hub assembly (AKA mounting surface).

Install and hand tighten the lug nuts in the same star-shaped pattern that you used to remove them.

Tighten each lug nut as tightly as can be done by hand but do not apply so much force that the vehicle rocks or sways on the jack.

Turn the jack handle to lower the vehicle until it touches the ground and can no longer spin freely.

Tighten the lug nuts using your wrench, again in the same star-shaped pattern.

Once fully tightened, remove the jack and wheel chocks.

When you're done, gather all of your tools and place them securely in your vehicle or trunk.

Now that you've got your spare safely installed, you're ready to make your way to a tire service station (or your neighborhood America's Tire) to get your flat taken care of with a tire inspection.

At America's Tire, we offer a suite of free tire repair and safety services. We may be able to repair your tire if there is minimal damage and the repair is within repair guidelines. If not, we're happy to help you find the right tire for the right price.

As you get back on the road, remember that many spare tires are smaller and less capable than regular tires. They aren't a permanent replacement for your flat. You should only use your spare tire to travel short distances, like driving to the tire shop to get a replacement.

Whether you simply need a flat repair or a brand new tire, don't delay your trip to take care of your damaged tire. You may also need to replace your spare tire after use; you don't want to be caught in an emergency without one.