Having to change a tyre due to a puncture is never less than inconvenient and frustrating, especially on those days when you’re in a rush and have places to be. Fortunately, in a lot of cases, your car will often be equipped with a solution such as a space-saver spare you can use to get back on the road, with the ideal tools to fit it, or a tyre sealant kit that allows you to continue your journey.
However, if you’ve never changed a wheel or used a puncture repair kit, the process can be daunting. Thankfully, it’s not actually as difficult as you might think. Our guide takes you through every step of the process to change a wheel or use a sealant kit, so you can get your day back on track.
It’s equally worth reading on whether you’re a wheel changing novice or have had to do it a few times before. Especially as we make some recommendations for products that can help make the process easier.
What do you need to change a wheel?
This varies depending on what equipment your car comes with. Most new cars do not come with a spare wheel and are instead equipped with a can of sealant and a compressor that can be used to temporarily fix a punctured tyre.
Alternatively, some cars have a space-saver wheel or, if you’re lucky, a full-size spare wheel. In these cases, the tools required to change wheel should be provided. You’ll find whatever equipment your car has in the boot, under the floor or behind a side panel. In some cars, the spare tyre is underneath and you have to get on the ground to extract it.
It’s best to check what equipment is in your car before you have a puncture in case anything is missing, hard to find or unusable. A moment’s preparation could save you a lot of annoyance when a puncture strikes. For example, you might realise that the spare tyre is flat and needs pumping up before it can be used.
Here’s what you ideally need to change a wheel with a flat tyre for a spare or space-saver wheel:
• Wheel chocks
• Wheel wrench
• Locking wheel nut key if applicable
• Car jack
• Car tyre pump
• A high-visibility jacket
• A warning triangle
• Gloves
If your car only comes with a can of sealant, then you will need:
• The unused and sealed can of sealant
• The included air pump or a tyre pump of your own
• A high-vis jacket
• A warning triangle
• Gloves
Related | The best air compressors
The advantages and disadvantages of spare tyres and sealant kits
In an ideal world, every car would have a physical spare wheel, be it a space-saver or a full-size wheel and tyre, because a spare wheel will always work, provided the tyre is in good condition. Sealant kits are less reliable.
Sealant kits are only intended to plug small holes, for instance one left by a nail – they can’t do anything about a big gash. Similarly, if the tyre has been knocked off the wheel, sealant is no help. So you’ll have to wait for a breakdown service.
There are some disadvantages to having a physical spare wheel, however, and there are also some advantages to using sealant kits instead.
Spare wheel and tyre in the car: advantages
Provided the tyre is in good condition and pumped up, putting the spare wheel on your car will immediately get you back on the road safely. Full-size spare wheels usually match the car’s other wheels, so it looks the same. All that remains to be done is replacing or repairing the flat tyre on the wheel you removed. And even if you only have a space-saver spare, you can drive to a garage to get a new tyre.
Spare wheel and tyre in the car: disadvantages
A spare wheel and tyre take up space in the boot that you could otherwise use for storage. The weight of the spare can increase your car’s fuel consumption and emissions slightly. If the tyre on the spare wheel is old or worn, it might not be safe or legal to use. And the tyres on space-saver wheels have a limited life and speed restrictions, which isn’t ideal if you’ve still got a long motorway journey ahead.
Related | The best wheel nut wrenches for wheel maintenance
Tyre sealant: advantages
Tyre sealant kits are quick and easy to use, allowing you to get going again soon after. And the package is small and doesn’t weigh much, so it’s easy to store and doesn’t alter the way the vehicle drives.
Tyre sealant: disadvantages
The sealant might not be able to fix the damage your tyre has sustained, leaving you immobilised. Each sealant kit usually advises replacing the tyre within around 100 miles. There are limitations on what speed you can drive on a sealed tyre. Sealant kits can be very messy if you don’t use them properly. And some tyre shops aren’t happy repairing tyres or handling wheels which have been fixed using tyre repair kits.
Related | The best tyre pressure gauges
How to change a wheel
If you’ve never changed a wheel before, it can be easy to miss an essential step that can leave you struggling down the line. To make it easier and to cut down the hassle, here’s a quick step-by-step guide to changing a car wheel.
1. Consult your car’s manual
It’s worth checking the owner’s manual for your car before going any further. It may lay out a specific wheel-changing process and draw your attention to any issues that you need to be aware of.
2. Prepare your car
When you’re ready to start changing the wheel, make sure your car is parked in an area where you can do the job safely. If you can at all avoid it, don’t use the hard shoulder of a motorway, or the edge of a busy road. The car also needs to be on level, hard ground that is suitable for jacking the car up, such as concrete or Tarmac.
3. Prepare your tools
Get everything you’ll need to change the wheel out of the car – the spare wheel, locking wheel nut key, wheel wrench jack and chocks if you have them. Put on a high-vis jacket if you have one, and put out the red warning triangle which should go far enough behind the car to give oncoming drivers plenty of notice. If you have wheel chocks, now is the time to use them. See if you can find some gloves, too, as your hands are going to get messy without. Get any passengers out of the car, as well.
4. Loosen the wheel nuts
You may have to remove cosmetic caps to expose the wheel nuts. Next, and before you jack the car up, use the wrench to break the nuts free. Just loosen them to the point they can be turned with the wrench. Remember, lefty loosey, righty tighty.
If the nuts are particularly tight, find a longer bar for the wrench or shock them by kicking the wrench. Note that you may need to use the car’s locking wheel nut key which slots into the wrench socket.
5. Find the jacking point
Consult your car’s owner’s manual to find the designated jacking point. The jack that comes with the car is designed to lift from that point, which is sometimes indicated by an arrow on the car’s side sill. The head of the jack should fit comfortably onto the jacking point, providing a safe and stable lift. Position the jack anywhere other than the jacking point and you risk damaging the car.
6. Fit the jack and start lifting
Place the jack under the jacking point and raise it until you achieve solid contact between the two. Make sure the jack is stable and not sinking into the ground. Raise the car until the wheel your going to change is off the ground. If something doesn’t look or feel right, stop and check.
7. Remove the wheel
With the tyre clear of the ground, remove the wheel nuts or bolts. Remember that the wheel might drop off when you remove the last one, so be prepared and make sure your feet aren’t going to get crushed. If not, lift and pull the wheel away before putting it on the ground. Wheels are pretty heavy, so be careful not to strain yourself. Wheels sometimes get stuck on the hub, usually through rust. A stout kick should free it off, though be careful not to knock the car off the jack.
8. Put the spare wheel on
Take a moment to align the holes on the spare wheel with the studs or holes on the hub – if the car has wheel bolts there should be a tool to help you align the wheels with the bolt holes. Lift the wheel up onto the hub, again being careful not to strain yourself in the process. Replace the nuts or bolts and tighten them incrementally until the wheel fits squarely on the hub. Tighten the nuts in opposing pairs, for instance the ones at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, and at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock. Otherwise, you might distort the wheel.
9. Lower the car and tighten everything up
Once you’ve got all the wheel nuts or bolts tightened up as much as you can, slowly lower the jack until there is no weight on it. Then tighten the nuts as much as you can, moving in a pattern between the fixings; if the wheel has five nuts, for example, move in a star pattern between the five nuts and tighten them up in stages.
10. Get the pressure right
If you haven’t already, use a tyre pressure gauge to check the air pressure in the spare tyre. If it’s low, top it up using a foot pump or an electric compressor. The owner’s manual will tell you what the required pressure; it may also be on a sticker inside the driver’s door or fuel filler flap. If all else fails, check online. While you’re at it, make sure the other tyres are up to pressure.
11. Final checks
Pack all your tools away, make sure any wheel caps have been replaced, that there’s nothing left under the car or in front of the tyre. You may see tyre pressure warnings or ABS and traction warning lights if the spare wheel has a smaller diameter than the original.
12. Take your punctured tyre for repair
Once you’re back underway, make a beeline for a tyre repair shop or garage so you can get a new tyre fitted or your damaged one repaired. This is important because you don’t want to suffer another puncture and then be left without a usable spare. Provided you can, make a tyre change your priority. Listen out for any odd noises while driving, too; if you hear or feel anything, stop and check the tightness of the wheel nuts in case they’re coming loose.
If you’re still not confident that you’ll be able to change a wheel, it’s best to call out a breakdown service to do it for you.
The wheel won’t come off, even though I’ve removed all the nuts!
Corrosion between the mounting face of the wheel and the hub that it bolts to can cause the wheel to become stuck. If you have only a basic jack and wheel wrench to hand, try giving the wheel a stout kick. If that doesn’t work your best bet is to call a recovery service and get the car towed to a workshop where the wheel can removed. Don’t be tempted to hit the wheel with a rock or something similar to free it off, as you risk damaging it.
What tools might be useful to keep in the boot for changing a wheel?
The bare minimum needed to change a wheel is a jack, something to remove the wheel nuts or bolts, and a locking wheel nut key if required.
However, for safety and simplicity’s sake, it’s best to have some extra tools and bits to hand to help you easily change the wheel. If you’re going to be setting off on a long journey, especially one that takes you deep into the countryside, it’s definitely worth collecting these bits and stashing them in your car’s boot. Looking for tool recommendations? Check out our best car tools guide.
Torch: For working at night. Check its batteries regularly.
Gloves: The wheels will be covered in dirt and you don’t want to transfer it to your car’s interior.
Reflective jacket: Makes you visible and keeps you safe.
Warning triangle: Alerts other drivers to your stranded car.
Short plank of wood: Serves as a flat and steady surface for the jack, or as something you can kneel on.
Tyre pressure gauge: Allows you to check the tyre is properly pumped up.
Portable compressor: Preferable alternative to a manual tyre pump.
Parkers recommended tyre-changing tools
Goodyear 1-ton Professional Scissor Jack
Price: RRP £22.99| VIEW OFFER
This affordable scissor jack for tyre brand Goodyear is easy to use, helping you change your car’s wheel as quickly as possible.
Pros
• Quick and easy to use
Cons
• Limited weight capacity
Heyner Germany Heavy-duty Car Scissor Jack
Price: RRP £34.49| VIEW OFFER
This scissor jack comes with a ratchet that’s easier to use than the usual winding handle. It’s available in different lifting capacities – this one is rated at 0.8 tonnes. The handle isn’t attached so the package comes with a nice carry bag.
Pros
• Handy ratchet to get the jack just right
Cons
• Wind-up handle isn’t attached and could slip out
Goodyear Professional Fixed 4-way Cross Wheel Wrench
Price: RRP £12.99| VIEW OFFER
If you have several cars with different size wheel nuts on your driveway, this tool has a selection of sockets to help you get the wheels off and get you back on your way.
Pros
• Fits many different wheel nuts
Cons
• Cumbersome to stow in your boot when all the fittings on that car will be the same size
How to use puncture-repairing tyre sealant
Using tyre sealant is surprisingly easy but it’s worth taking your time to avoid making a mess and ensure a good result. Here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing a puncture with tyre sealant.
1. Prepare the repair kit
First, make sure you’ve stopped somewhere safe and suitable for working on your car. If you have them, put out a warning triangle and put on a high-vis jacket. Get the tyre sealant and repair kit out and read the instructions, or consult the associated section in your car’s owner’s manual. Familiarise yourself with the process before proceeding.
2. Locate the puncture itself
To ascertain whether the sealant stands a good chance of fixing the puncture, you need to identify where the puncture is. If you can’t see anything obvious like the head of a nail, listen for the sound of escaping air. If it’s a large hole, the sealant may not fill it. It will also not work if the hole is on the side of the tyre.
3. Leave any debris alone
If you spot something lodged in the tyre that has caused the puncture, such as a nail, do not remove it. Doing so could make the puncture worse.
4. Rotate the punctured wheel
Drive the car forward or backward slowly until the punctured area is in contact with the ground. Check your sealant kit’s manual in case the instructions recommend otherwise, though.
5. Prepare the car
Get any passengers out, turn the engine off and make sure the car is in gear or Park. Secure the car by putting the parking brake on, as well.
6. Attach the sealant and compressor, if required
The instruction manual for the repair kit will tell you how to correctly attach and employ the sealant, and the compressor if required. Some sealant kits involve filling the tyre with sealant first and then using the compressor to pump the tyre back up. Others need the sealant container attaching to the compressor and both being used at the same time. Put your gloves on first, in any case, before handling the sealant container.
7. Check the tyre pressure
If the sealant is used on its own, you’ll then need to inflate the tyre to the correct pressure. Some combined sealant and compressor kits will also leave your tyre at a higher pressure than normal, so you need to check the pressure in any case. If you don’t know the correct pressure for your tyre, consult your owner’s manual or look for a label on the inside of the driver’s door or fuel filler flap.
8. Immediately start to drive
Sealant kits require that you drive on the punctured tyre immediately to spread the sealant around so that it can seal the damaged area. Usually, this involves driving for a short distance of a few miles at speeds below 50mph. Check the instructions for your kit to find out exactly what’s required.
9. Head for a garage
Unless you’re close to your destination, it’s best to take your car to the nearest garage and get the tyre replaced immediately. Sealant is only a temporary fix and the tyre will need properly repairing or replacing. Drive slowly and gently so the sealant doesn’t fail.
10. Order a replacement sealant kit
Don’t forget, once you’ve got a new tyre fitted and are safely back on the road, you need to replace the sealant kit. If you don’t, you could get caught out by another puncture.
Best tyre sealants
Slime 50129 Flat Tyre Puncture Emergency Kit
Price: RRP £35.99 | VIEW OFFER
This puncture repair kit is excellent for two reasons: you can use it to inflate your flat tyre, and you can use it to repair punctures with its refillable sealant. It’s powered by your car’s 12V socket and fully repairs and inflates a tyre in just ten minutes.
Pros
• All in one kit
• Gets you back up and running quickly
Cons
• Sealants don’t always work
Slime 10180 Flat Tyre Puncture Repair Kit Refill
Price: RRP £17.09| VIEW OFFER
When you use the kit above, take out the used bottle and replace it with this refill. Never be caught short again.
Holts LOYHT4YA Emergency Puncture Repair
Price: RRP £9.00 | VIEW OFFER
The 500ml bottle is for cars with tyres of 17 inches diameter or more. You just attach it to the air valve on the punctured tyre and let it do its work. No tools are needed, and it also inflates the tyre. The sealant is made of water-based foam that quickly finds and seals the puncture.
Pros
• Easy to get up and running again
Cons
• Might not fully inflate your tyre
Air Compressors
ECCOmpressor Air Compressor Car Tyre Pump with puncture Kit
Price: RRP £20.95 | VIEW OFFER
If you’ve no spare tyre, or it’s flat, you could try and repair the puncture yourself with this repair kit and compressor.
Pros
• Easy to use
Cons
• Might not always repair the puncture effectively
Draper 20582 12 Cordless Air Compressor
Price: RRP £45.90 | VIEW OFFER
This Draper air compressor slots into your boot without taking up too much space. It’s cordless and can charge off your car’s 12V socket. The digital display shows you how much pressure is in the tyre and the automatic shut-off ensures you’ll never overinflate the tyre beyond the required pressure. The handy light helps you see what you’re doing in the dark.
Pros
• Quick to use
• Handy size
• Automatic shut-off
Cons
• Could take long to inflate bigger tyres
AA 12V Digital Tyre Inflator
Price: RRP £25.41 | VIEW OFFER
A super simple air compressor from the AA. It inflates your tyres and gives an accurate reading of the pressure in your tyre. There is no automatic shut-off so you have to babysit it, but there is a light to help in the dark. It draws power from the 12V socket in your car and, all in, is a very handy compressor to keep in your boot.
Pros
• Inexpensive
• Easy to use
Cons
• Corded
• Can be slow
Sign up to the Parkers Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews, news, and recommendations from the Parkers team.
Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections – read why you should trust us.
