How do I change a wheel safely at the roadside?

Changing a wheel at the roadside

Step by step

1. Pull over to a safe, flat location away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights.
2. Apply the handbrake and put the car in gear (or Park for automatics).
3. Get the jack, wheel brace and spare from the boot.
4. Loosen the wheel nuts slightly before jacking up the car.
5. Position the jack under the correct jacking point (check your handbook).
6. Raise the car until the flat tyre is clear of the ground.
7. Remove the nuts fully, remove the flat tyre, and fit the spare.
8. Hand-tighten the nuts.
9. Lower the car back down.
10. Fully tighten the nuts in a star pattern for even pressure.

Critical safety warning

Never attempt to change a wheel on a motorway. The risk from passing traffic is too high. Call roadside assistance and wait behind the safety barrier if possible.