How to Change a Wheel on a Car, by Sealey Tools on YouTube. 4 min 2 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 2 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park on firm, level ground away from traffic. Switch on hazard lights, apply the handbrake, select park or first gear, and put on a hi-vis vest.
Place a warning triangle a safe distance behind the car and chock the wheel diagonally opposite the one you are changing.
With the wheel still on the ground, loosen each wheel nut about half a turn. Fit the locking nut key first if your car has one.
Place the jack under the correct jacking point shown in your handbook. Raise the car until the flat tyre is just clear of the ground.
Remove the wheel nuts and keep them somewhere safe. Pull the wheel straight off and set it aside.
Lift the inflated spare into place and line up the bolt holes. Refit the nuts by hand and tighten them diagonally until the wheel is snug.
Lower the jack fully and remove it. Tighten the nuts firmly with the wheel brace in a diagonal pattern, then refit any wheel trim.
Check the spare tyre pressure as soon as you can and have the damaged tyre repaired or replaced. Put all tools and the warning triangle back in the car.
Tips and common mistakes
Never put any part of your body under a car held only by a jack.
Loosen the wheel nuts before lifting; they are much harder to shift once the wheel spins.
Recheck the wheel nut torque with a torque wrench as soon as possible, using your car handbook's figure.
A space-saver spare has a low speed and distance limit, so check the label.
Questions
What if I have no locking wheel nut key?
You cannot remove a locking nut without the matching key. Look in the tool kit and glovebox, and call a breakdown service if it is missing.
Can I drive on a space saver spare?
Yes, but only within the limits on its label, usually a lower speed and short distance. Replace it with a full wheel as soon as you can.
How tight should wheel nuts be?
Tight enough to be secure with the wheel brace, then checked with a torque wrench to the figure in your handbook. Do not guess or over-tighten.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
