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How to change a tire

Learn how to change a tire safely with step-by-step instructions, essential tool recommendations, and practical tips for roadside emergencies. Whether you're replacing a flat tire or installing a spare, this guide will help you get back on the road with confidence.

A monarch butterfly perched on a purple flower in a garden. A monarch butterfly perched on a purple flower in a garden.



Getting a flat tire doesn't have to ruin your day

 

Getting a flat tire can be stressful, especially if it's your first time dealing with one on the side of the road. The good news is that changing a tire is a practical skill that anyone can learn with the right tools and preparation.

In Canada, this knowledge can be especially valuable. Long road trips, remote highways, and winter weather conditions can mean help isn't always nearby when you need it. Knowing how to change a tire can help you handle unexpected situations safely and avoid unnecessary delays.

This guide covers the tools you'll need, important safety tips, how to change a tire step by step, what to do after installing a spare, and key considerations for Canadian weather. For added peace of mind, Canadian Tire offers the tools, emergency accessories, and replacement tires you need to stay prepared.

 

What you need to change a tire

 

Having the right tools ready before a flat tire happens can make the process faster, safer, and less stressful. Most drivers don't check their trunk until they need it, which can lead to surprises during a roadside emergency. The items below are the essential tools every driver should keep on hand for changing a tire safely.

 



Optional but helpful items

 

A few additional tools can make changing a flat tire more comfortable and efficient. Gloves help protect your hands from dirt and sharp edges. A flashlight or headlamp is especially useful during winter or nighttime emergencies, while a tire pressure gauge helps ensure your spare tire is properly inflated before driving. A torque wrench can help you tighten lug nuts to the manufacturer's recommended specification for added safety.

 

Safety tips before you start

 

Before attempting to change a tire, move your vehicle as far away from traffic as possible and look for a flat, stable surface. Turn on your hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers. Once safely stopped, engage the parking brake before exiting the vehicle.

Level ground is important because a vehicle can shift or slide while lifted. Avoid gravel, mud, snowbanks, steep slopes, or any uneven surface that could cause the jack to become unstable. If available, place wheel chocks against the tires opposite the flat tire to prevent the vehicle from rolling.

Visibility is another key safety consideration. Wear reflective clothing if you have it and remain aware of traffic at all times. If conditions are unsafe, such as heavy traffic, poor visibility, severe weather, a narrow shoulder, a bridge, or an active highway lane, do not attempt the repair. Contact roadside assistance instead. No tire is worth risking your personal safety.

 

How to change a tire

 

Follow these steps carefully to safely replace a flat tire with a spare.

 

Step 1 – Secure the vehicle

Before lifting the vehicle, apply the parking brake to help prevent it from moving while you work. Place wheel chocks against the tire diagonally opposite the flat tire to reduce the risk of rolling, especially on slight inclines. Proper wheel chocks are the safest option, but in an emergency, a large rock or sturdy piece of wood can provide temporary support. Taking these precautions helps keep the vehicle stable before you position the jack.

Step 1 – Secure the vehicle

Step 2 – Loosen the lug nuts

Using a tire wrench, turn the lug nuts counterclockwise about half a turn. Do not remove them yet. Loosening them while the wheel is still on the ground prevents the tire from spinning.

Step 2 – Loosen the lug nuts

Step 3 – Position and raise the jack

Locate the designated jack point on the vehicle frame closest to the flat tire before placing the jack. Refer to your owner's manual, as most manuals include a diagram showing the correct jack locations. Positioning the jack incorrectly can damage the vehicle or create an unstable lifting point. Once the jack is properly placed, raise the vehicle slowly until the flat tire is about 15 cm (6 in.) off the ground. As you lift, check that the jack remains level and stable before continuing.

Step 3 – Position and raise the jack

Step 4 – Remove the flat tire

Once the vehicle is safely raised, remove the loosened lug nuts completely and place them somewhere secure so they don't get lost. A pocket, small container, or wheel cover can work well for keeping them together. Pull the flat tire straight toward you to remove it from the wheel hub. As an added safety precaution, some drivers slide the flat tire underneath the vehicle while they work, which may provide additional protection if the jack shifts or slips unexpectedly.

Step 4 – Remove the flat tire

Step 5 – Mount the spare tire

Lift the spare tire into position and align it with the wheel studs. Push the spare firmly onto the hub until the studs extend through the lug nut holes, then install the lug nuts and hand-tighten them. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern rather than a circular pattern, as this helps the wheel sit evenly against the hub. Tightening in a circle can cause the wheel to sit unevenly, which may affect the installation.

Step 5 – Mount the spare tire

Step 6 – Tighten the lug nuts by hand

Before lowering the vehicle, continue tightening the lug nuts by hand using the same star pattern. Tightening in this sequence helps keep the spare tire evenly seated against the wheel hub. Confirm that the spare is fully seated and the lug nuts are snug before moving on. Do not use the wrench yet, as the vehicle should be lowered first before the lug nuts are fully tightened.

Step 6 – Tighten the lug nuts by hand

Step 7 – Lower the car and fully tighten the lug nuts

Slowly lower the vehicle until the spare tire just touches the ground but before the vehicle's full weight rests on it. Using a lug wrench, tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to help ensure the wheel is seated evenly. For the most accurate fit, use a torque wrench set to the specification listed in your owner's manual.

Once the lug nuts are fully tightened, lower the vehicle completely and remove the jack. Finish by performing a final check of all lug nuts before driving away to confirm they are secure.

Step 7 – Lower the car and fully tighten the lug nuts

What to do after installing the spare

 

Before driving, check the spare tire's pressure and compare it with the PSI recommendation printed on the tire sidewall or listed in your owner's manual. A properly inflated spare tire is essential for safe handling and braking.

If you're using a compact spare tire, keep your speed below 80 km/h and limit driving to approximately 80 km or less. Full-size spare tires generally have fewer restrictions, but the damaged tire should still be inspected as soon as possible.

Visit Canadian Tire Auto Service as soon as possible to have the flat tire inspected and determine whether it can be repaired or needs replacement. Technicians can also perform a torque check on the spare tire installation to help ensure the lug nuts are tightened to the proper specification.

 

Changing a tire in Canadian weather conditions

 

Canada's changing seasons create unique roadside challenges that every driver should be prepared for.

 

Winter roadside safety tips

If you need to change a tire in winter, start by moving your vehicle to a safe location away from traffic and turning on your hazard lights. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and limited daylight can make the job more difficult, so preparation is essential. Keep winter gloves in your vehicle year-round to protect your hands from cold conditions and sharp edges. 

A headlamp is often a better choice than a flashlight because it keeps both hands free while you work. If the ground is icy or snow-covered, place a sturdy, flat object under the jack to improve stability and help prevent it from shifting. 

It's also a good idea to keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle with a blanket, shovel, and sand or salt for traction. If you're facing a blizzard, freezing rain, poor visibility, or dangerously icy roads, do not attempt to change the tire. Move to a safe location if possible and call roadside assistance instead.

Winter roadside safety tips

Summer and highway considerations

If you experience a flat tire on the highway, move as far onto the shoulder as possible and away from traffic. If it's safe to continue, consider exiting at the next ramp rather than stopping on a busy roadside. Never stand between your vehicle and oncoming traffic while inspecting or changing a tire.

Summer heat can make road surfaces, wheels, and vehicle components extremely hot, so gloves can help protect your hands. If a tire blowout occurs at highway speed, maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, ease off the accelerator gradually, and steer gently to a safe stopping area. Avoid hard braking. Before a long summer road trip, check your tire pressure and inspect your tires for wear or damage.

Summer and highway considerations

When should you replace or repair a tire?

 

If you have a flat tire, whether it can be repaired depends on the location and extent of the damage. Small punctures in the tread area can often be repaired using an approved plug or patch. However, tires generally cannot be repaired if the puncture is larger than 6 mm, the damage is in the sidewall, the tread depth is below 2/32 in., or the tire has been damaged by a blowout.

Knowing when to replace a tire is equally important. Replace your tire if the tread wear indicators are visible, the sidewall shows signs of cracking or dry rot, bulges or blisters are present, or you notice persistent vibration while driving. These conditions can affect handling, traction, and overall safety.

Seasonal tire changes are also a good opportunity to inspect your tires for wear and rotate them if needed. Winter tires are recommended across Canada for improved cold-weather traction and are legally required in Quebec from December 1 to March 15. Regular inspections during seasonal changeovers can help identify issues before they lead to a flat or tire failure.

If you're unsure whether your tire should be repaired or replaced, book an inspection with Canadian Tire Auto Service. Technicians can assess tire condition, recommend the appropriate repair or replacement, and help keep your vehicle ready for the road.

 

Spare tire types explained

 

A full-size spare tire is designed to match the dimensions of your regular tires and can generally be driven under normal conditions. These are often found on trucks and larger SUVs.

A compact spare tire, commonly called a donut spare, is smaller and lighter. It is intended for temporary use only and is subject to speed and distance limitations.

Drivers using winter tires should remember that their spare tire may not provide the same cold-weather traction. Consider discussing a compatible spare tire option with a tire technician during seasonal tire changes.

 

FAQs on changing a tire