​What do you need to change a tyre?

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Most vehicles come equipped with the items you’ll need, which can often be found in a recessed area of the boot. These items can include but are not always limited to: (1) a spare tyre, (2) a jack, and (3) a wheel brace.
Before you jump behind the wheel, it could be worth checking to ensure your car carries these items, and you have your vehicle’s manual too.

The steps to change a tyre are:

1. Pull over safely

If you suspect your tyre has gone flat, slowly pull over to the side of the road and, if possible, park a safe distance from the road itself, away from passing vehicles. If you can, also try to park in an area with a firm and level surface. Put on your hazard lights and make sure the car is in park with the handbrake on. If it’s dark, try to wear the brightest clothing you have on you.

2. Loosen wheel nuts by one turn

Take your equipment and spare tyre from the boot of your car. If you have hubcaps, remove them from the flat tyre (which is likely clipped on) and use your wheel brace to loosen each wheel nut by a full turn. Remember, turning a bolt or nut anti-clockwise will normally loosen it, whereas turning it clockwise, or to the right, will tighten it (lefty loosey, righty tighty…). Try a quick anti-clockwise jolt to loosen, or if you need more force, carefully use your foot or get your body weight behind the brace.

3. Place the jack under the car

Once all the nuts are loose, look at your vehicle’s manual to find the correct point to place the jack, usually underneath the vehicle’s frame alongside the tyre that is flat.
4. Raise the car

Slowly wind the jack to raise the vehicle until there is about a 5-10cm gap between the road and your tyre.

5. Remove wheel nuts

Remove each wheel nut completely and put them in a safe place.
6. Replace the flat tyre with the spare

Slowly remove the flat tyre and place it under the car (using it as a support mechanism just in case the jack gives way). Take your spare tyre and line it up with the wheel holes before placing the tyre onto the wheel hub.
7. Put wheel nuts back on

Put the wheel nuts back into place and tighten them as far as you can using your hand.

8. Lower the car and tighten wheel nuts

Remove the flat tyre from underneath the vehicle and wind the jack down until the spare tyre is taking on the vehicle’s weight. Remove the jack. Use the wheel brace to fully tighten your wheel nuts.
9. Put hubcap back on

If you have a hubcap, place it back onto the new wheel or store it safely in the boot.

10. Put away equipment and drive

Place your tools and flat tyre back into the boot in a secure place. If you’ve completed these steps correctly, and feel safe to do so, you should now be in a position to get back on the road.