Car care · Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center · Elgin, IL
How to Change a Flat Tire, Step by Step
A flat tire is easier to handle when you know the steps before you need them. The details, such as where the jack is stored and where it goes under the vehicle, are different on every model, so your own owner's manual is the final word. Here we walk through the steps using one manufacturer's example, the 2026 Ram 1500 owner's manual.
Firm, level surfaceaway from moving traffic
Loosen firstone turn while the wheel is on the ground
Star patterntighten each nut twice
After 25 milescheck the lug nut torque
The short answer
In the manual example: park on a firm, level surface away from traffic, turn on the hazard flashers, apply the parking brake, shift into PARK and turn the vehicle off, and block the wheel diagonally opposite the one you are changing. Remove the spare, jack and tools. Loosen the lug nuts one turn while the wheel is on the ground, jack the vehicle at the jacking location the manual shows only until the wheel clears the ground, swap the wheel, lower the vehicle, then tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until each has been tightened twice.
Getting ready to change a flat
The manual example lists these preparations before jacking:
- Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
- Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers.
- Apply the parking brake.
- Shift the vehicle into PARK (P).
- Turn the vehicle off.
- Block both the front and rear of the wheel diagonally opposite the jacking position. For example, if the driver's front wheel is being changed, block the passenger's rear wheel.
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic; pull far enough off the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack or changing the wheel. Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when it is being raised. If the vehicle has air suspension, the manual example says to enable Service Mode in the Uconnect system before changing the tire.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Preparations For Jacking, pages 292 and 293), read November 4, 2026.
Finding the jack, tools and spare
Where these are stored depends on the vehicle. In the manual example, a pickup:
Jack and tools
Stored under the front passenger's seat, behind a plastic access cover on the side of the seat. Remove the jack and tools by turning the wing bolt counterclockwise and sliding the assembly out.
Spare tire
Stored under the vehicle and lowered on a cable with the assembled extension tubes and lug wrench, through an access hole between the lower tailgate and the top of the bumper. Remove the spare before jacking up the truck.
Use the hand tools
The manual cautions that the winch mechanism is designed for use with the jack extension tubes only; an air wrench or other power tools can damage the winch.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Jack And Tools Location, page 293; Spare Tire Removal and caution, page 294), read November 4, 2026. Other vehicles store them in other places; check your own manual.
Where the jack goes
The manual example says placement for the front and rear jacking locations is critical, and not to raise the vehicle by jacking on locations other than those it shows:
Front wheel
Place the scissor jack under the rear portion of the lower control arm, reaching the jacking location from behind the front tire.
Rear wheel
Place the jack under the Jack Lifting Point on the rear axle lower control arm bracket, reaching it from behind the rear tire, and locate the slot in the jack lift plate onto that point.
Check before lifting
Before raising the wheel off the ground, make sure the jack will not damage surrounding truck parts, and adjust the jack position as required.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Jacking Instructions, page 295), read November 4, 2026. Jacking points differ by vehicle; use the ones in your own manual.
Changing the tire
With the spare, jack and tools out, the manual example gives these steps:
- Using the lug wrench, loosen the wheel nuts one turn counterclockwise while the wheel is still on the ground. Do not remove them yet.
- Assemble the jack and jacking tools, and place the jack at the correct jacking location for the wheel you are changing.
- Raise the vehicle only until the wheel just clears the ground surface.
- Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off.
- Install the spare wheel and the lug nuts with the cone-shaped end of the nuts toward the wheel. Hand tighten the lug nuts with the vehicle lifted.
- Lower the vehicle to the ground and finish tightening the lug nuts in a star pattern until each lug nut has been tightened twice.
- Remove the wheel blocks, lower the jack to its fully closed position, and stow the replaced tire, the jack and the tools in their proper locations.
- Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, the manual says not to fully tighten the lug nuts until the vehicle has been completely lowered. It also notes not to install chrome or aluminum wheel center caps on the spare wheel.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Jacking Instructions, pages 295 and 296), read November 4, 2026.
Lug nut torque
Lug nut torque is specific to each vehicle. The manual example lists:
| Item | 2026 Ram 1500 |
|---|---|
| Lug nut/bolt torque | 130 ft-lb (176 N·m) |
| Lug nut/bolt type | Cone |
| Lug nut/bolt size | M14 x 1.50 |
| Lug nut/bolt socket size | 22 mm |
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Torque Specifications, page 373; Jacking Instructions, page 296), read November 4, 2026. Check your own manual for your vehicle's value.
After 25 miles (40 km), check the lug nut torque to be sure all the lug nuts are properly seated against the wheel. If you are in doubt about the correct tightness, the manual example says to have them checked with a torque wrench by an authorized dealer or at a service station.
Safety warnings to remember
Never under a jacked vehicle
Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
Engine off, nobody inside
Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a jack, and do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
No higher than needed
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make it less stable. Raise it only enough to remove the tire.
Stow everything
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or hard stop could endanger the occupants. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the places provided.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Jacking Instructions warnings, pages 294 to 296), read November 4, 2026.
Tire help at Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center
Our service department works on all makes and models. Once the spare is on, schedule a visit to have the flat looked at and the lug nuts checked.
Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Schedule service, see our service specials or get directions.
Changing a flat tire FAQ
What should I do before changing a flat tire?
In the 2026 Ram 1500 owner's manual example: park on a firm, level surface away from traffic, turn on the hazard flashers, apply the parking brake, shift into PARK, turn the vehicle off, and block the wheel diagonally opposite the one being changed.
Should I loosen the lug nuts before jacking?
Yes. The manual example says to loosen the wheel nuts one turn counterclockwise, but not remove them, while the wheel is still on the ground.
Where do I put the jack?
Only at the jacking locations shown in your owner's manual. On the 2026 Ram 1500, the front location is the rear portion of the lower control arm and the rear location is the Jack Lifting Point on the rear axle lower control arm bracket.
How tight should the lug nuts be?
Use the value in your own manual. The 2026 Ram 1500 lists 130 ft-lb (176 N·m). Tighten in a star pattern until each nut has been tightened twice, and check the torque again after 25 miles (40 km).
Can I get under the car while it is on the jack?
No. The manual example says not to get under the vehicle when it is on a jack; take it to a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
What are your service hours?
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed Sunday.
Driving on the spare?
Schedule service at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin and we will look at the flat and check the lug nuts.
Sources
The steps, jacking locations, warnings and torque value are from the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (publication 104308_26_DT, edition E2), used here as one manufacturer's example and read November 4, 2026. Jack, spare and jacking-point locations and torque values differ by vehicle, so check your own owner's manual. Service hours are from our website, checked the same day.
- 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Jacking And Tire Changing; Torque Specifications), Ram / Mopar, read November 4, 2026
- Service department, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center
- Home page: address and service hours, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center