A flat tyre can happen anywhere. Knowing the safe steps to change it yourself — or knowing when not to — can make a stressful moment much safer.
Before you start
- Pull over somewhere flat and stable, well away from traffic if possible.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- Apply the parking brake.
- If you're on a busy road or feel unsafe, it's better to call for roadside assistance than to change a tyre in a dangerous position.
Tighten wheel nuts in a star pattern
Cross-pattern tightening (1→2→3...) applies even, balanced pressure.
Steps to change a tyre
- Loosen the wheel nuts slightly before jacking up the car (they're easier to turn with the tyre still on the ground).
- Position the jack at your vehicle's designated jacking point (check your owner's manual).
- Raise the vehicle until the flat tyre is a few centimetres off the ground.
- Remove the wheel nuts fully, then remove the flat tyre.
- Fit the spare tyre onto the wheel studs.
- Hand-tighten the wheel nuts in a star (criss-cross) pattern.
- Lower the vehicle back to the ground.
- Fully tighten the wheel nuts in the same star pattern using a wheel brace, putting your full weight behind it.
- Check the spare tyre's pressure as soon as you can — space-saver spares usually need a much higher pressure than standard tyres.
- Get your flat tyre repaired or replaced as soon as possible — most spare tyres aren't rated for extended use or high speeds.
Not confident doing this yourself, or need your flat tyre assessed? Bring it in and we'll take care of it.