You can change a spare wheel in a few minutes by loosening the wheel nuts first, lifting the car with the standard jack, swapping the wheel, then tightening everything again once the vehicle is back on the ground. You only need 3 basic tools that come with most vehicles: a standard jack, wheel brace, and winder. This guide walks through John’s method step by step and shows when it makes more sense to call Jim’s Mobile Tyres.
Watch John change a spare wheel above, or keep reading for the step-by-step breakdown.
What Do You Need Before You Start?
Before you start, get everything out of the car and place it where you can reach it safely.
You will need:
- Standard jack
- Wheel brace
- Winder
- Spare tyre
- Wheel nuts are already fitted to the vehicle
If you are stuck somewhere awkward, in traffic, or on unstable ground, it may be safer to book emergency breakdown help instead of trying to do the job yourself.
How Do You Change a Spare Wheel Step by Step?
Step 1: Position the Jack the Right Way Around
John says this is one of the biggest mistakes people make.
The large flat section at the bottom of the jack is the base. That sits on the ground. The cut-out at the top of the jack is the part that supports the vehicle.
If the jack is backwards, the car will not sit properly, and the job becomes far less safe.
Step 2: Line the Jack Up With the Sill Point
Look underneath the side of the car for the small fin-like section in the sill. John explains that this section sits neatly into the cut-out at the top of the jack.
Get the jack into position first and make sure it is not going to move. Do not rush this bit. If the jack is not seated properly, stop and reset it before going any further.
Step 3: Loosen the Wheel Nuts Before You Lift the Car
This is the step a lot of people get wrong.
Before the tyre leaves the ground, crack the wheel nuts by hand. Only loosen them a little. John’s point is simple: once the wheel is off the ground, you lose the resistance you need to get proper torque on the nuts.
If you skip this step, undoing the wheel nuts becomes much harder than it needs to be.
Step 4: Raise the Vehicle Just Enough
Hook the winder onto the jack and turn it clockwise to lift the car.
You do not need to send the vehicle high into the air. John is clear on that. You only need to raise it enough so the tyre is just off the ground. That keeps the job simpler and reduces movement.
While the car is lifted, keep people away from it. You do not want anyone brushing against the vehicle and making it rock or tip.
Step 5: Remove the Wheel Nuts and Take the Wheel Off
Once the tyre is clear of the ground, remove all the wheel nuts.
If the wheel has not been off for a long time, it may feel stuck. John says this is often just a thin layer of corrosion. In many cases, a small nudge to the tyre is enough to free it.
Take the wheel off and place it to the side where it will not get in your way.
If the flat tyre looks repairable, this is the point where many drivers later book a tyre puncture repair rather than replacing the tyre straight away.
Step 6: Lift the Spare Tyre Safely
Bring the spare tyre into position.
John’s advice here is practical. Keep your knees on the ground so you can use your lower hips and core to lift the tyre into place, rather than putting the strain through your back. It is a simple change, but it makes the lift safer and more controlled.
Step 7: Fit the Spare and Hand-Start the Wheel Nuts
Put the spare onto the disc hub and start threading the wheel nuts back on by hand.
Do not go straight to the wrench. Hand-starting the nuts helps the wheel seat properly and reduces the risk of cross-threading or misalignment.
Once they are on, give them a light nip up with the wrench so the wheel is sitting properly.
Step 8: Lower the Vehicle Carefully
Now reverse the lifting process.
Turn the winder anti-clockwise to lower the vehicle back down. As you do that, make sure no part of your body is under the tyre or under the vehicle.
Once the tyre is back on the ground, remove the jack.
Step 9: Tighten the Wheel Nuts Again
Do not skip the final tightening.
John says it plainly: you do not want your wheel coming off and overtaking you on the freeway. Once the car is back on the ground, give the wheel nuts another proper tighten.
They do not need to be crazy tight, but they do need to be secure enough to get you safely out of trouble and on to a tyre shop for the proper fix. If you are unsure how long your temporary spare should stay on the car, read how long you can drive on a spare tyre.
What Can Go Wrong When Changing a Spare Wheel?
The first mistake is putting the jack the wrong way around. The base goes on the ground, and the cut-out at the top sits against the vehicle sill point.
The second mistake is lifting the vehicle before loosening the wheel nuts. Crack them first while the tyre is still planted.
The third mistake is lifting the car too high. You only need enough clearance for the tyre to come off.
The fourth mistake is letting people stand too close while the car is in the air. Keep the area clear so the vehicle does not get bumped.
The fifth mistake is using your back to lift the spare. Get your knees down and use your hips and core instead.
The last mistake is forgetting the final tightening once the car is back on the ground.
When Should You Call Jim’s Mobile Tyres Instead?
A spare wheel swap is fine when the jack seats properly, the ground is stable, traffic conditions are manageable, and the spare is in good condition.
Call Jim’s Mobile Tyres instead if the roadside is unsafe, the jack will not sit securely, the wheel will not come free, you do not have a usable spare, or the damaged tyre needs a proper fix. If the issue is a puncture, book a mobile puncture repair. If you are stranded and need urgent help, use their emergency breakdown service. If the problem turns out to be mechanical rather than tyre-related, Jim’s Mobile Mechanics is the better fit. You can also call 131 546 to get pointed to the right service.
Spare Wheel Questions Drivers Usually Ask
Yes. John’s demo uses the generic equipment that comes with the vehicle: the standard jack, wheel brace, and winder.
Yes. Loosen them slightly first so you still have enough torque to crack them.
Only high enough for the tyre to clear the ground. More height than that just adds risk.
A wheel can stick because of a thin layer of corrosion. John says a small nudge is often enough to free it.
Only lightly at first. The proper tightening happens once the vehicle is back on the ground.
No. It is a get-you-out-of-trouble solution. After that, you should get the damaged tyre repaired or replaced properly, or check the next step through Jim’s Mobile Tyres.