How to change a wheel

Firstly, you'll need to make sure your car is parked safely and out of the way of any traffic. If you can, choose a long, flat stretch of road to prevent your car from rolling and apply the hand brake. Put your hazard lights on so other road users know to give you space.

Use your chock or wheel wedge on the wheel opposite the one you're changing. Place it as far as you can under the wheel. This will further secure the vehicle while the jack is in place.

Locate your spare wheel and remove it from the vehicle - many cars have a wheel stored under the boot. Place it in a convenient spot ready to be changed.

Remove the wheel cover of the tyre you're changing. Alloy wheels will likely be locked in place - you'll need your locking wheel nuts to safely remove it.

Place the jack in the lifting point closest to the flat tyre. You can find details of lifting point locations in your vehicle's handbook. Extend the jack to lift the wheel just off the ground.

You'll need to loosen wheel nuts with a wrench first, then carefully remove them by hand, keeping the wheel steady with your knee.

Secure the new wheel in place by refitting the wheel nuts by hand. Lower the jack carefully until the wheel touches the ground, and then further tighten the wheel nuts with a wrench to ensure they're securely in place (you can find details of how to tighten wheel nuts specific to your vehicle in your vehicle handbook). Place the damaged wheel in the boot.

Many modern vehicles come equipped with space saver tyres, designed for temporary use. These space-saver tyres are skinnier than regular tyres and don't perform anywhere near as well, especially in adverse weather conditions or at speed. We recommend travelling to your nearest garage to get a regular tyre fitted as soon as possible.