1. Park your car in a safe location. Try to find a flat, stable surface away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and apply the parking brake.
2. Gather the necessary tools and equipment. You will need:
* A jack
* A lug wrench
* A chock (or wedge) to block the wheels
* A spare tire that is in good condition
* A flashlight (if changing a tire at night)
3. Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Use the lug wrench to turn the lug nuts on the flat tire counterclockwise to loosen them. Don't remove them completely yet.
4. Place the chock (or wedge) behind one of the wheels (front or back). This will help prevent the car from rolling while you're jacking it up.
5. Jack up the car until the flat tire is off the ground. Place the jack under the car's frame, near the flat tire. Slowly jack up the car until the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground.
6. Remove the lug nuts and take off the flat tire. Use the lug wrench to remove the lug nuts completely and take off the flat tire.
7. Place the spare tire on the lug nuts. Hand-tighten the lug nuts on the spare tire.
8. Lower the car until it is just resting on the spare tire. This is important to reduce pressure on the jack.
9. Tighten the lug nuts fully with the lug wrench. Tighten them in a star pattern, tightening each lug nut a few turns at a time.
10. Lower the car completely and remove the jack.
11. Check the lug nuts again after driving a few miles. This will ensure that they are still tight.
12. Replace the spare tire with a new tire as soon as possible. A spare tire is usually designed for temporary use only and should not be driven on for long distances or at high speeds.
Remember, the actual procedure for changing a tire can vary slightly depending on your vehicle, so it's a good idea to consult your owner's manual for specific instructions.
