Tools Guide for Changing a Tire

Before you find yourself stranded with a flat, make sure you have the right tools and know how to use them. Here's everything you need.

Quick Checklist

Car Jack(Required)
Lug Wrench(Required)
Spare Tire(Required)
Flashlight
Work Gloves
Wheel Wedges
Reflective Triangle
Tire Pressure Gauge

Essential Tools

Required
Car Jack
Car Jack
A device used to lift the vehicle off the ground. Most vehicles come with a scissor jack, but hydraulic jacks are easier to use.
Required
Lug Wrench
Lug Wrench
A tool used to loosen and tighten the lug nuts on your wheels. Often comes with the vehicle as a tire iron.
Required
Spare Tire
Spare Tire
A backup tire that comes with your vehicle. Check tire pressure regularly as spares can lose air over time.
Required

Recommended Tools

Optional
Flashlight
Essential for nighttime tire changes. A headlamp keeps your hands free.
Work Gloves
Protect your hands from hot surfaces, sharp edges, and dirt.
Wheel Wedges
Wheel Wedges
Blocks placed behind tires to prevent the car from rolling. Bricks or large rocks can work in a pinch.
Reflective Triangle
Reflective Triangle
Alerts other drivers that you're stopped. Essential for roadside safety.
Tire Pressure Gauge
Tire Pressure Gauge
Check your spare tire's pressure before installation.

Tool Details & Tips

Car Jack

The car jack lifts your vehicle off the ground so you can remove and replace the tire. Most vehicles come with a scissor jack (also called a screw jack), which is compact and stored with your spare tire.

Types of Jacks:

  • Scissor Jack: Standard equipment in most vehicles. Compact but slow to operate.
  • Hydraulic Bottle Jack: Faster and more stable, but bulkier. Great for larger vehicles.
  • Floor Jack: The most stable option, but too large to carry in most cars.

Important: Always use jack stands if you need to get under the vehicle. A jack alone is not stable enough for this.

Lug Wrench

The lug wrench (also called a tire iron) is used to loosen and tighten the lug nuts that secure your wheel to the vehicle.

Types of Lug Wrenches:

  • L-shaped Wrench: Standard in most vehicles. Simple but limited leverage.
  • Four-way Wrench: Cross-shaped with different socket sizes. Better leverage.
  • Telescoping Wrench: Extends for more leverage when dealing with tight lug nuts.

Tip: If your lug nuts are extremely tight, you can carefully stand on the end of the wrench to use your body weight. Make sure the wrench is properly seated on the nut first.

Spare Tire

The spare tire is your backup when you get a flat. There are several types, each with different limitations.

Types of Spare Tires:

  • Compact/Donut Spare: Smaller than regular tires. Limited to 50 mph and 50-70 miles.
  • Full-size Spare: Same size as your regular tires. Can be driven normally.
  • Run-flat Tires: Can drive up to 50 miles at reduced speed even when flat. No spare needed.

Maintenance Tip: Check your spare tire pressure every 6 months. Spare tires can slowly lose air over time, and you don't want to discover a flat spare when you need it most!

Ready to Learn?

Now that you know the tools, find a step-by-step guide for your specific vehicle.

Browse Tutorials