Changing a flat tire is one of the most essential roadside skills every driver should master. While the physical process is straightforward, doing it incorrectly—or in an unsafe location—can lead to severe injury, vehicle damage, or worse.

Here is the ultimate checklist of Do's and Don'ts to keep you safe and get you back on the road smoothly.

The Critical Do's

1. DO Find a Safe, Level Spot

• Pull completely off the road: Never attempt to change a tire on a narrow shoulder, curved road, or busy highway lane.
• Park on hard, flat ground: Asphalt or concrete is ideal. Changing a tire on soft dirt, grass, or gravel can cause the jack to sink or slip, dropping the car.

2. DO Secure Your Vehicle Before Lifting

• Engage the parking brake: Always set your emergency/parking brake firmly.
• Put the car in Park (or 1st Gear for manual): This keeps the transmission locked.
• Use wheel chocks: Place chocks (or large rocks/bricks) behind the tires on the opposite end of the car to prevent rolling.

3. DO Loosen the Lug Nuts BEFORE Jacking the Car Up

• Break the initial resistance of the lug nuts while all four tires are firmly on the ground.
• If you try to loosen tight lug nuts while the tire is suspended in the air, the wheel will simply spin, and you risk knocking the car off the jack.

4. DO Use Proper Jacking Points

• Consult your vehicle's owner manual to find the exact jacking points (metal notches or reinforced ribs along the frame).
• Placing a jack under plastic side skirts, floorboards, or suspension arms can crush components or cause the vehicle to fall.

5. DO Tighten Lug Nuts in a Star Pattern

• When reinstalling the wheel, tighten the lug nuts by hand first.
• Once the car is lowered back down, use the lug wrench to tighten them fully in a star or cross pattern (skipping every other nut). This ensures the wheel seats evenly against the hub.

The Dangerous Don'ts

1. DON'T Change a Tire on an Incline or Soft Surface

• Never attempt to jack up a vehicle on a hill or sloped driveway. Gravity will easily pull the car off the jack stand.

2. DON'T Place Any Part of Your Body Under the Car

• A scissor jack supplied with your vehicle is designed only for temporary lifting—not for supporting weight safely while someone is underneath.
• Never place your hands, legs, or body under the vehicle frame or wheel well while it rests on a jack.

3. DON'T Remove Lug Nuts Completely While the Car is Grounded

• Loosen lug nuts about 1/2 to 1 full turn while the car is on the ground. Do not unscrew them all the way until the vehicle is safely raised.

4. DON'T Drive Long Distances or Fast on a "Donut" Spare

• Compact temporary spare tires ("donuts") are engineered with lower speed and distance limits—typically no faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) and no further than 50 miles.
• Drive directly to a service station or tire shop to repair or replace your full-sized tire.

5. DON'T Ignore Tire Pressure on Your Spare

• A spare tire with no air pressure is useless. Get into the habit of checking your spare tire's pressure every few months or during routine oil changes.

Emergency Prep Checklist

Keep these essential tools in your trunk at all times:

• Working Jack & Lug Wrench (matching your vehicle)
• Fully Inflated Spare Tire
• Wheel Chocks
• Flashlight or Headlamp (with fresh batteries)
• Reflective Safety Vest & Warning Triangle
• Work Gloves & Towel