How do I change a tyre?

FEELING a little flat? A puncture can ruin your day and most people will simply call a breakdown service to get them moving again. But if it’s safe to do so and you have a spare wheel in your car, there is nothing stopping you from changing it yourself.

The spare will usually be under the boot floor, but it might be slung underneath the car. It’s unlikely to be an alloy to match the other wheels and could even be a space-saver, which is smaller and thinner. These carry a maximum speed restriction and are intended to get you home, and you must change back to a regular wheel and tyre as soon as possible.

Hopefully you’ll also find a jack and a tool kit, either within the spare wheel itself, or hidden away in compartments behind the rear wheelarches; your owner’s manual will tell you where to look. The handbook will also tell you where the car’s jacking points are. They are usually marked with an arrow or indent.

Make sure you are jacking on solid, flat ground and consider ‘chocking’ the other wheels to stop the car rolling. Then slowly begin to take the weight off the wheel. Before it’s completely clear, loosen the nuts, because it’s easier to apply force while the wheel is still on the ground.

Then jack up the car until the wheel is off the ground, remove the wheel nuts, store them carefully and pull the wheel off.

Take the spare and line up the bolt holes or studs on the wheel hub. Start to tighten the nuts, but only using your fingers at first. When they are all on, tighten using the wheel brace, lowering the car slightly onto the ground if the wheel starts to turn. Double check they are tight, remove the jack and you are ready to roll.