Getting a flat tyre is one of those things that always happens at the worst possible time. Rain, darkness, traffic flying past – it’s never convenient. But changing a wheel is one of those basic car skills everyone should know. You don’t need to be a mechanic. You just need to stay calm and follow the steps in the right order.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to change a wheel safely at the roadside, in plain English, the same way I’d explain it to a friend.

First Things First: Safety Comes Before Speed

Before you even touch the tools, think about your safety.

  • Stop as soon as it’s safe to do so.

  • Get the car off the road if possible – a lay-by, side street, or gateway is ideal.

  • Park on firm, level ground.

  • Put the handbrake on and select first gear (or Park if automatic).

  • Switch on your hazard lights.

  • If you have one, place a warning triangle behind the car.

If the road is too dangerous, don’t risk it. Call for help. No wheel is worth your life.

Get Your Tools Ready

Most cars store the spare wheel and tools in the boot, under the floor.

spare-wheel-and-tools

Take out:

  • The spare wheel

  • The jack

  • The wheel brace

  • Locking wheel nut key (if your car has one)

If you have steel wheels, remove the trim.

removing-wheel-trim

If you have alloy wheels with locking nuts, pop off the plastic cap and fit the special key.

locking-wheel-nut

Stop the Car Rolling

Before lifting the car, block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat one. A proper wheel chock is best, but a stone or brick will do in an emergency.

wheel-chock-position

This stops the car from rolling when it’s in the air.

Loosen the Wheel Bolts

Using the wheel brace, crack each wheel bolt loose by about half a turn.
Do this before jacking the car up.

loosening-wheel-bolts

Don’t remove them yet – just loosen them.

Jack the Car Up

Find the jacking point nearest the flat wheel. It’s usually marked under the sill.

jack-position

  • Place the jack correctly.

  • Make sure it’s stable on the ground.

  • Start lifting the car until the wheel is just clear of the ground.

If the tyre is completely flat, lift a little higher so the spare will fit.

Remove the Wheel and Fit the Spare

Now fully remove the wheel bolts and take the wheel off.

removing-the-wheel

A good safety habit is to slide the removed wheel under the car sill. If the jack fails, the car won’t drop fully to the ground.

Fit the spare wheel, line up the holes, and screw the bolts in by hand. Tighten them lightly with the brace.

Lower the car back down until the tyre touches the ground, then tighten the bolts properly in a diagonal pattern.

diagonal-tightening-pattern

This keeps the wheel seated evenly.

Final Checks

  • Fully lower the jack and remove it.

  • Tighten the bolts again to make sure they’re secure.

  • Refit the wheel trim if you have one.

  • Put all tools and the damaged wheel back in the boot.

Remember:

  • Check the spare’s tyre pressure as soon as you can.

  • If it’s a space-saver wheel, keep your speed under 50 mph.

  • Get the damaged tyre repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to change a wheel gives you real independence. No waiting for recovery. No stress. Just you, your tools, and a calm plan.

The first time feels scary. The second time feels easy. And one day, you’ll be the one helping someone else on the roadside.

That’s real car confidence.