How to Change a Tyre Safely by the Roadside
Knowing how to change a wheel could save you a callout fee and hours of waiting. Here's the full step-by-step, including safety precautions most guides skip.
Changing a tyre is one of the most useful skills a driver can have. But the roadside adds real danger — here's how to do it safely and correctly.
Before You Start — Safety First
Pull as far off the road as possible. Put your hazard lights on. Apply the handbrake and put the car in first gear (manual) or Park (automatic). If you have a warning triangle, place it 45 metres behind the car.
Never attempt a tyre change on a motorway hard shoulder — call for recovery instead.
What You'll Need
The Process
1. Loosen the wheel nuts before jacking
With the car still on the ground, use the wheel brace to loosen (not remove) each nut by half a turn. This prevents the wheel spinning when jacked up.
2. Position the jack correctly
Consult your handbook for the correct jacking points — usually reinforced sections behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels. Using the wrong point can crack the sill.
3. Raise the vehicle
Jack the car until the flat tyre is about 10cm off the ground.
4. Remove the wheel
Remove the nuts fully, keep them safe, and pull the wheel straight off.
5. Fit the spare
Lift the spare onto the hub and hand-tighten the nuts in a star pattern — not in a circle.
6. Lower and torque
Lower the car until the tyre touches the ground, then fully tighten the nuts in a star pattern while the car's weight is on the wheel.
After the Change
Most spare tyres are temporary 'space-savers' with a maximum speed of 50mph and a limited mileage. Get your puncture repaired or the tyre replaced as soon as possible.
Can't change it safely? Fred's Towing Services provides roadside assistance across Newport, Cardiff, Bristol and Bath. Call 01633 982028 — available 24/7.