Flat tyre? Don’t panic. Knowing how to change a tyre quickly and safely can save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration. This summary of the YouTube video “How to Change a Tire in 60 Seconds” will walk you through the process in a simple, step-by-step way.
So, grab your tools, and let’s get that flat tyre swapped out in no time!
Step 1: Gather Your Tools & Locate the Spare
Before you start, you need to know where your spare tyre and tools are stored. Most cars keep them in the boot, under the floor panel, while utes and SUVs often have the spare mounted underneath or on the back.
Your toolkit should include:
✔ Jack – To lift the car.
✔ Lug wrench – To loosen and tighten the wheel nuts.
✔ Spare tyre – Make sure it’s properly inflated before installing it.
💡 Pro Tip: Check your owner’s manual if you’re unsure where to find these items.
Step 2: Loosen the Lug Nuts (Before Jacking the Car Up!)
One common mistake? Jacking up the car before loosening the lug nuts. Big no-no.
- Before lifting the car, use the lug wrench to loosen the wheel nuts by about a quarter of a turn.
- If the nuts are too tight, use your foot to push down on the wrench for extra leverage.
💡 Why do this first? If the tyre is already off the ground, it may spin while you’re trying to loosen the nuts, making the job much harder.
Step 3: Position & Raise the Jack
Now it’s time to lift the car. But where do you put the jack?
📌 Important: The jack must be placed at the correct jacking point on your vehicle, usually near the wheel well on the frame or reinforced pinch welds. Check your owner’s manual for the exact spot.
- Place the jack securely under the jacking point.
- Start lifting the car slowly until the flat tyre is about 2 inches off the ground.
Step 4: Remove the Flat Tyre
With the car lifted, it’s time to remove the damaged tyre.
- Unscrew all the loosened lug nuts completely and put them in a safe place (like your pocket or a small container—losing them would be a nightmare).
- Pull the flat tyre off and set it aside.
💡 Pro Tip: If the tyre is stuck, give it a little kick near the edge to loosen it from the hub.
Step 5: Install the Spare Tyre
Time to get rolling again!
- Check the valve stem – It should be facing outward.
- Line up the holes on the spare tyre with the wheel lugs.
- Slide the spare tyre onto the hub.
- Hand-tighten the lug nuts onto the wheel bolts.
💡 Pro Tip: Start tightening the nuts by hand to ensure they are threading correctly before using the wrench.
Step 6: Lower the Car & Tighten the Lug Nuts Properly
You’re almost done!
- Lower the car slowly until the spare tyre is touching the ground but still has a little weight off it.
- Use the lug wrench to fully tighten the nuts in a cross pattern (e.g., top left, bottom right, top right, bottom left).
- Finally, lower the car completely and give each lug nut a final, firm tightening.
💡 Why use a cross pattern? It evenly distributes pressure, helping the wheel seat properly and preventing wobbling.
Final Checks Before You Drive Off
✔ Double-check the lug nuts – Make sure they’re tight!
✔ Store your tools and flat tyre – Don’t leave them on the side of the road.
✔ Drive cautiously – Spare tyres (especially space savers) aren’t meant for long distances or high speeds.
