You’re on US-27 between South Bay and Clewiston. The car starts pulling to one side, and there’s that flap-flap-flap sound nobody wants to hear. Your tire is flat, and the next exit is not exactly around the corner.
Your spare has been riding around in the trunk for years, rent-free. Today, rent is due.
Short answer: pull well off the road, turn on your hazards and set the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts, jack the car up at the right lift point, swap in the spare and tighten the nuts in a star pattern. If you’re beside fast traffic, on a narrow or soft shoulder, or don’t have a working spare, stay in the car and call for flat tire road service instead.
Is it safe to change a flat tire where you are?
Before you touch the jack, look around. Changing a tire is easy. Doing it two feet from a passing semi is not. Don’t change it yourself if:
- The flat is on the traffic side of a busy road
- The shoulder is narrow, soft, sandy or sloped
- It’s dark and you have no flashlight or reflective gear
- You can’t find the spare, the jack or the locking lug nut key
- The spare is flat too
Florida’s Move Over law now also covers disabled vehicles stopped with their hazard lights on, so drivers should move over or slow down for you. Don’t count on it. Stay alert, and stay off the traffic side.
What do you need to change a flat tire?
| Item | Where it usually is | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Spare tire | Under the trunk floor, or under the vehicle on trucks and SUVs | Replaces the flat |
| Jack | With the spare or behind a side panel | Lifts the car |
| Lug wrench | With the jack | Loosens and tightens the lug nuts |
| Locking lug nut key | Glove box or center console | Needed if your wheels have locking nuts |
| Owner’s manual | Glove box | Shows the jack points and spare limits |
| Flashlight | Your phone works in a pinch | Night changes |
How do you change a flat tire, step by step?
- Pull as far off the road as you safely can, on firm, flat ground.
- Turn on your hazard lights, put the car in park and set the parking brake.
- Get everyone out of the car and away from traffic.
- Take out the spare, jack and lug wrench.
- With the tire still on the ground, loosen each lug nut about half a turn. Don’t take them off yet.
- Place the jack at the lift point shown in your owner’s manual and raise the car until the flat is just off the ground.
- Remove the lug nuts and pull the flat tire straight off.
- Line up the spare with the wheel studs and push it on.
- Thread the lug nuts on by hand, then snug them with the wrench in a star pattern.
- Lower the car, then tighten the nuts fully, again in a star pattern. Put the flat and the tools away.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Jacking at the wrong spot. It can bend the body or let the car slip. Use the marked lift point.
- Loosening the nuts after lifting. The wheel just spins. Loosen first, lift second.
- Tightening in a circle. A star pattern seats the wheel evenly.
- Getting under the car. Never put any part of your body under a car that’s only on a jack.
- Ignoring the spare’s pressure. A spare that’s been sitting for years may be low. Check it when you can.
How far can you drive on a spare tire?
Many cars carry a small temporary spare, sometimes called a donut. It’s made for short, slow trips to a tire shop, not for the rest of the week. Check the speed and distance limits printed on the spare or in your owner’s manual, and get the flat fixed or replaced soon.
When should you call for help instead?
Call if any of the warning signs above apply, if a lug nut won’t budge, or if you simply don’t want to wrestle a jack on the shoulder. Our flat tire change service comes to you 24/7 and puts on your spare. No usable spare? We’ll give you a car tow to the tire shop you choose. We don’t repair or plug tires on the spot.
Flat tire help in Belle Glade and the Lake Okeechobee area
We’re based in Belle Glade and help drivers on SR 80, SR 715, US-27 and US-441 / SR 15, including South Bay, Clewiston and Pahokee. Checking the roads before you drive? Florida 511 shows live traffic and closures.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change a flat tire on the side of the highway?
Only if you’re well off the road, on firm ground and away from traffic. If the flat is on the traffic side or the shoulder is narrow, stay in the car with your seat belt on and call for help.
Do I loosen the lug nuts before or after jacking up the car?
Before. Break them loose about half a turn while the tire is still on the ground, then lift the car and take them off.
How tight should the lug nuts be?
Firmly tight, done in a star pattern. Your owner’s manual lists the exact torque. Have a tire shop check them when they fix the flat.
What if I don’t have a spare tire?
Then the car needs a tow to a tire shop. Call (561) 594-2415 and we’ll tow it where you choose.
Will you come change my flat tire in Belle Glade?
Yes, 24/7. We put on your spare at home, in a parking lot or on the roadside. Call (561) 594-2415 for a free quote.
Flat tire around Belle Glade?
Andy Magnificent Auto Towing puts on your spare 24/7 across Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay, Clewiston, Canal Point and Lake Harbor, with a free quote before we dispatch.
Related: jump starts and car towing. See all services.