How to change a tire is something every driver should know before they actually need to do it. A flat tire can happen anywhere and at any time. Knowing the steps ahead of time will save you stress, time, and potentially money. This guide walks you through the full process from start to finish, including when it is safer to call for help instead.

What You Need Before You Change a Tire

Before you attempt to change a tire, make sure you have the right tools in your vehicle. Most cars come with a basic tire-changing kit stored in the trunk. However, many newer models no longer include a spare tire at all. Check your vehicle now so you are not caught off guard later.

Here is what you will need: a spare tire (full-size or compact), a jack, a lug wrench, your vehicle owner’s manual, wheel wedges or bricks, a flashlight, and gloves. Keeping a reflective vest and road flares in your trunk is also a good idea, especially for nighttime situations. If your car does not come with a spare, consider purchasing a compact spare or a tire repair kit as a backup.

Step 1: Find a Safe Location to Pull Over

Safety comes first. As soon as you notice a flat tire, slow down and look for a flat, stable surface away from traffic. A parking lot or wide shoulder works well. Avoid soft ground, hills, or curves where other drivers cannot see you. Turn on your hazard lights immediately.

In Ottawa, this step matters more than in most cities. Highway 417 shoulders can be narrow and fast-moving, particularly during rush hour. If you get a flat on the Queensway and the shoulder feels unsafe, it is better to drive slowly to the next exit than to stop in a dangerous spot. Driving on a flat for a short distance at low speed will damage the rim, but a damaged rim is always better than being struck by passing traffic.

Step 2: Secure the Vehicle

Once you have stopped, engage the parking brake. This prevents the car from rolling while you work. Place wheel wedges or bricks behind the tires on the opposite end of the flat. If the flat is on a front tire, place wedges behind the rear tires. If the flat is on a rear tire, place it in front of the front tires.

If you have passengers, ask them to step out of the vehicle and stand well away from the road. The car will be elevated on a jack, and the less weight on it, the more stable it will be.

Step 3: Loosen the Lug Nuts

Use your lug wrench to loosen each lug nut on the flat tire. Turn them counterclockwise about a quarter to a half turn. Do not remove them completely yet. You are just breaking the resistance while the tire is still on the ground and stable.

Some lug nuts can be extremely tight. If you are struggling, try positioning the wrench so you can push down with your foot for extra leverage. Never use your full body weight while the car is on the jack. That is how accidents happen.

Step 4: Position the Jack and Lift the Vehicle

Check your owner’s manual for the correct jack placement point on your specific vehicle. Every car has reinforced areas on the frame designed to support the jack. Placing the jack in the wrong spot can crack the body panel or cause the car to slip off.

Once the jack is in the right position, raise the vehicle until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground. The tire does not need to be high. Just enough clearance to remove it and fit the spare. Make sure the jack is on solid, level ground. If the surface is soft, place a flat board or piece of plywood under the jack base for stability.

Step 5: Remove the Flat Tire

Now fully unscrew the lug nuts and set them somewhere safe. A pocket or a cup works well. Losing a lug nut on the side of the road is a frustrating problem you do not need. Pull the flat tire straight toward you to remove it from the wheel bolts. It may be stuck, so a light kick to the bottom of the tire can help loosen it. Set the flat tire on its side under the vehicle as a safety backup. If the jack fails, the tire will prevent the car from dropping to the ground.

Step 6: Mount the Spare Tire

Lift the spare tire onto the wheel bolts. Line up the holes and push the tire in until the bolts come through. Thread the lug nuts on by hand, turning clockwise. Tighten them as much as you can with your fingers, but do not use the wrench yet. You want the tire snug but not fully tightened while the car is still on the jack.

Step 7: Lower the Vehicle and Tighten

Use the jack to lower the vehicle until the spare tire touches the ground, but do not put the full weight of the car on it yet. Now use the wrench to tighten the lug nuts firmly. Tighten them in a star pattern rather than going around in a circle. This ensures even pressure and keeps the tire seated properly.

Once the lug nuts are tight, lower the vehicle completely and remove the jack. Give each lug nut one final check with the wrench.

Step 8: Check the Spare Tire Pressure

Compact spare tires require 60 PSI to function safely. This is higher than a standard tire. If you have a tire pressure gauge, check it now. If the pressure is low, drive slowly to the nearest gas station and fill it before continuing your trip. A spare with low pressure is dangerous and can fail quickly.

Step 9: Drive to a Tire Shop

A compact spare tire is a temporary solution. Most are rated for a maximum of 70 kilometres per hour and should not be driven for more than 100 kilometres. Do not treat it like a regular tire. Get to a tire shop as soon as possible to have your flat repaired or replaced, and have the lug nut torque verified with a torque wrench.

When You Should NOT Change the Tire Yourself

Knowing how to change a tire is important. However, knowing when not to do it yourself is equally important. There are situations where calling for roadside assistance is the safer choice.

Do not attempt it if you are on a busy highway with fast-moving traffic and a narrow shoulder. Do not attempt it if it is dark and you do not have proper lighting or reflective gear. Do not attempt it in severe winter conditions, especially when the ground is icy or covered in snow. Ottawa winters regularly bring temperatures below 20, and handling metal tools with cold hands on an icy shoulder is a recipe for injury.

Do not attempt it if your vehicle does not have a spare tire and you are unsure how to use a tire repair kit. Also, do not attempt it if you are in an area where you feel unsafe for any reason. Your safety is always more important than saving time or money.

In these situations, stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt on and hazard lights flashing. Call a roadside assistance provider who can handle the tire change safely and get you back on the road.

What If Your Car Does Not Have a Spare Tire?

Many newer vehicles are sold without spare tires. Manufacturers have replaced them with tire repair kits or run-flat tires to save weight and trunk space. If your car falls into this category, your options are limited when you get a flat.

A tire repair kit uses sealant and a small compressor to temporarily patch a puncture. It works for small holes caused by nails or screws. It will not work for sidewall damage, blowouts, or large tears. If the damage is beyond what the kit can handle, you will need a tow to the nearest tire shop.

Run-flat tires allow you to drive for a short distance after losing pressure, typically up to 80 kilometres at reduced speed. Check your owner’s manual to confirm whether your vehicle has them.

Prevent Flat Tires Before They Happen

Regular maintenance reduces the chance of a flat tire significantly. Check your tire pressure at least once a month. Inspect your tires visually for cracks, bulges, or objects stuck in the tread. Rotate your tires every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres to ensure even wear. Replace tires when the tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch. You can check this with a simple coin test: insert a Canadian quarter into the tread with the caribou facing down. If you can see the tip of the caribou’s nose, it is time for new tires.

Seasonal tire changes also matter. In Ottawa, winter tires are not legally required but are strongly recommended. Winter tires provide better grip below 7 degrees Celsius and significantly reduce stopping distances on snow and ice.

Need Help Changing a Tire in Ottawa?

If you are stranded with a flat tire in Ottawa and cannot change it safely, Ontario Towing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our roadside assistance team handles tire changes, boosts, lockouts, and towing across Ottawa and surrounding areas, including Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans, Nepean, and Gloucester. Call (613) 619-4545 for fast and reliable service.