Don’t Call a Tow Truck Yet—Fixing a Flat Tire Is Easier Than You Think

The first time I got a flat tire, I did what any panicked, unprepared driver would do—I pulled out my phone and searched for a tow truck. The price made me choke. Was I seriously about to pay over a hundred bucks for something I might be able to fix myself?

Turns out, I didn’t need a mechanic. I didn’t need a fancy roadside assistance membership. What I did need was a little confidence, a few basic tools, and the right steps to get the job done.

If you’ve ever found yourself stranded on the side of the road, staring helplessly at a flat tire, this guide is for you. Because changing a tire? It’s way easier than people think.

First Things First: Don’t Make These Mistakes

Before we jump into the step-by-step fix, let’s talk about what not to do. Most people mess up in one of three ways:

🚫 They panic and call for help immediately. There’s nothing wrong with getting assistance, but if you’re in a safe spot and have a spare tire, you can likely handle this yourself.

🚫 They drive on the flat “just a little further.” Even rolling a few extra feet can destroy your wheel rim, turning a simple tire change into a major repair bill.

🚫 They don’t know where their spare tire and jack are. Sounds obvious, right? You’d be surprised how many people never check. Before you need to change a tire, make sure you know where everything is stored in your car.

Now, let’s get into the fix.

Step 1: Get To A Safe Spot

If your tire blows out while you’re driving, don’t slam on the brakes. Grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and carefully steer to the safest spot you can find—ideally a flat, solid surface away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights the moment you stop.

Step 2: Gather Your Tools

Pop your trunk and grab:

✔ Your spare tire (or a tire repair kit if you don’t have one)

✔ A car jack (usually stored near the spare tire)

✔ A lug wrench (the tool that loosens the bolts on your wheel)

✔ Wheel wedges or something heavy (to keep the car from rolling)

If you have gloves or a flashlight, even better.

Step 3: Loosen The Lug Nuts—But Don’t Remove Them Yet

Before you lift the car, use your lug wrench to turn each lug nut counterclockwise until they start to loosen. They’ll be tight—put some muscle into it. You don’t want to fully remove them yet, just loosen them while the tire is still on the ground.

Step 4: Jack Up The Car

Find your car’s jack points (usually behind the front wheel or in front of the rear wheel—your owner’s manual will tell you exactly where). Place the jack securely, then slowly raise the car until the flat tire is off the ground.

Important: Don’t ever crawl under the car while it’s jacked up.

Step 5: Remove The Flat Tire

Now that the car is lifted, fully unscrew the lug nuts and pull the flat tire straight off. Set it down flat so it doesn’t roll away.

Step 6: Put On The Spare

Line up the spare tire with the bolts and slide it into place. Then, hand-tighten the lug nuts as much as possible.

Step 7: Lower The Car & Tighten The Lug Nuts

Slowly lower the car back to the ground—but don’t drive off yet. Now, take your lug wrench and tighten the lug nuts as much as possible. Tighten them in a crisscross pattern (top left, bottom right, top right, bottom left) to keep the tire balanced.

Step 8: Double-Check Everything & Get Moving

Before you hit the road, check that:

✔ Your lug nuts are tight

✔ Your spare tire is properly inflated (some spares are temporary “donut” tires with speed limits—check yours)

✔ Your flat tire and tools are safely stored in the trunk

Now you’re good to go.

What If You Don’t Have A Spare?

No spare? No problem—there are still options:

✅ Tire repair kits: Many newer cars come with a tire sealant kit instead of a spare. These can temporarily plug small holes, letting you drive to a repair shop.

✅ Portable air compressors: If your tire isn’t fully flat but just low on air, a small compressor can refill it enough to get to a gas station.

✅ Roadside assistance apps: If all else fails, apps like AAA or HONK can send help—but now you’ll know whether you actually need them.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This

Fixing a flat tire isn’t some complicated, mechanic-level skill. It’s something anyone can do with the right steps and a little patience. And the best part? Once you do it once, you’ll never feel helpless on the road again.

Funny how one small skill can change everything.