How to Change a Flat Tyre in 7 Easy Steps – A Tynan Motors Guide

2025-07-02

There’s never a good time for a flat tyre—but if you’re caught without immediate help, knowing how to change one safely can get you back on the road with confidence. While NRMA Roadside Assistance can come to the rescue, it’s also empowering to know you can do it yourself.

At Tynan Motors, we don’t just sell and service quality vehicles—we also believe in equipping drivers with the knowledge they need for safer, smarter motoring. So here’s our trusted, step-by-step guide to changing a flat tyre.

Step 1: Safety First

Before doing anything, pull over to a safe area, well away from traffic. It’s okay to drive a short distance on a flat tyre to ensure you’re not on a blind corner, soft verge, or the edge of fast-moving traffic.

Ensure the surface is hard and flat.
Put your vehicle in park (or in gear if it’s manual).
Apply the handbrake and turn on hazard lights.
Never work with your back to traffic and don’t crawl under a jacked-up vehicle.
If possible, use chocks (like bricks or wood) on the opposite tyres to prevent rolling.

If you’re unsure or uncomfortable, call NRMA on 13 11 11 or via the My NRMA app. Better safe than sorry.

Step 2: Gather Your Tools

Most vehicles come equipped with:

A jack
A wheel brace (lug wrench)
A fully inflated spare tyre
The owner’s manual

These items are usually in the boot near the spare wheel. Your Tynan Motors owner's manual will also show where to place the jack—this is crucial to avoid damaging the car’s undercarriage.

Set the jack beneath the designated jacking point and raise the vehicle just enough to lift a small portion of the car’s weight off the flat tyre.

Step 3: Loosen the Wheel Nuts

Use the wheel brace to loosen each wheel nut:

Place the brace horizontally for maximum leverage.
Turn anticlockwise with straight arms and a straight back.
If it’s too tight, you can use your foot to gently push the brace.

⚠️ Do not try to kick the tyre while the car is jacked up. If the nuts won’t budge, contact NRMA.

Step 4: Remove the Flat Tyre

Continue raising the car until the flat tyre is about 5 cm off the ground. Then:

Remove the loosened wheel nuts by hand.
Carefully take off the wheel and lay it flat on the ground nearby.
Retrieve your spare tyre and place it next to the car.

Step 5: Fit the Spare Wheel

Align the spare tyre’s holes with the car’s wheel studs:

Lift the tyre straight onto the hub.
Tighten the wheel nuts by hand, starting from the bottom.
Use the brace to gently tighten each one, just enough to hold the tyre in place.

Don’t over-tighten until the car is back on the ground.

Step 6: Lower the Car and Finish Up

Turn the jack handle slowly to lower the car back to the ground. Then:

Use the wheel brace to fully tighten each nut.
Ensure the tyre is firmly fitted and not wobbling.
Return the jack, brace, and tools to the boot.

Well done—you’ve changed your tyre!

Step 7: Check Tyre Pressure

Use a tyre pressure gauge (if you have one), or drive carefully to the nearest petrol station to check the spare’s pressure. Inflate it to the manufacturer’s recommended level, found in your owner’s manual or door placard.

Don’t forget to place the damaged tyre in the boot, and get it repaired or replaced at Tynan Motors as soon as possible.

What If You Don’t Have a Traditional Spare?

Many modern cars come with space-saving alternatives:

🚗 Space Saver Spare

Smaller than a regular tyre
Max speed usually 80 km/h
Follow the same steps above
Replace with a full-size tyre ASAP

🧰 Inflator Kit (Puncture Repair Kit)

Includes a bottle of sealant and air compressor:

Remove the valve cap on the flat tyre.
Screw in the sealant bottle.
Plug the compressor into your car’s 12V socket.
Start the car and inflate the tyre.

⚠️ Sealant is temporary—you must get the tyre repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Tynan Motors Tip: Be Prepared

Make sure your spare is always inflated, and you know where your tools are stored. Better yet, drop by your local Tynan Motors service centre—our technicians can show you the basics, check your spare, and even provide a hands-on demo.

Ensure you search the Tynan stock through our link here.

Credit: MyNRMA.com.au