Spare wheel (or a replacement wheel)
Car jack
Lug wrench (wheel nut wrench)
Wheel chocks, bricks, or wooden blocks (optional but recommended)
Owner's manual
Torque wrench (recommended for tightening wheel nuts correctly)
Pull over onto a flat, firm surface away from traffic.
Turn on your hazard lights.
Put the car in Park (automatic) or 1st gear/Reverse (manual).
Apply the parking brake.
Place wheel chocks behind or in front of the wheels if available.
Most cars store the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench:
Under the trunk floor
In a side compartment of the trunk
Under the vehicle (common on some trucks and SUVs)
Before lifting the car:
Remove the hubcap if necessary.
Turn each wheel nut counterclockwise about a quarter to half turn.
Don't remove them completely yet.
Find the designated jack point nearest the wheel you're replacing. These are shown in your owner's manual and often marked along the vehicle's sill.
Position the jack securely under this point.
Lift the vehicle until the flat tire is a few centimeters (1–2 inches) off the ground.
Never place any part of your body under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Finish removing the wheel nuts.
Keep them together in a safe place.
Pull the wheel straight toward you.
Line up the holes with the wheel studs.
Push the wheel fully onto the hub.
Thread the wheel nuts on by hand until snug.
Tighten the nuts lightly in a star (crisscross) pattern to help center the wheel.
Lower the car until the tire just touches the ground.
Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in the same star pattern.
Lower the jack completely and remove it.
Use a torque wrench to tighten the wheel nuts to the manufacturer's specified torque (found in the owner's manual).
If you don't have a torque wrench, have the wheel nuts checked as soon as possible.
Stow the flat tire and tools.
If you're using a temporary "space-saver" spare:
Follow its speed limit (often around 50 mph/80 km/h, but check the tire).
Drive only as far as necessary to repair or replace the damaged tire.
Recheck the wheel nut torque after driving about 50–100 km (30–60 miles), if recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.
Never change a wheel on a soft, sloped, or unstable surface if it can be avoided.
Stay well clear of moving traffic. If the location is unsafe, it's generally better to call roadside assistance.
Never crawl underneath a vehicle supported only by a jack.
Use only the correct jack points specified for your vehicle.
Your owner's manual is the best source for vehicle-specific instructions, including the correct jack points and wheel nut torque specification.