Yes. Set the parking brake before changing a tire whenever the vehicle is safely stopped on firm, level ground. Also put an automatic transmission in Park or a manual transmission in gear, switch off the engine, and chock a wheel that will remain on the ground. These steps help keep the vehicle from rolling, but they do not replace using the correct jack point or following the owner’s manual. If the tire is flat on a busy roadway or the ground is soft or sloped, moving to a safe location or calling for roadside assistance is usually the safer choice.
Why the Parking Brake Matters
A vehicle can roll while a tire is being changed, even when it appears to be parked. Removing a wheel, raising one corner, or shifting weight can affect the vehicle’s stability. A parking brake helps hold the vehicle in place by applying the braking system to one or more wheels. Using it is a basic part of securing the vehicle before lifting it.
The parking brake is not a substitute for a wheel chock. It can be less effective if the brakes are wet, worn, damaged, or unable to hold on the surface. A chock provides a separate physical barrier against rolling. The transmission’s Park setting or a selected gear adds another safeguard, but neither should be treated as a guarantee that the vehicle cannot move.
Never work under a vehicle supported only by its emergency jack. A tire change should not require anyone to put a body part beneath the vehicle. If a vehicle shifts or falls from a jack, the result can be fatal. A roadside jack is intended for limited use on a stable surface, according to the vehicle’s instructions.
How to Secure the Vehicle Before Changing a Tire
Before using the jack, take these steps in order, adapting them to the directions in the owner’s manual. Vehicle designs differ, especially for electronic parking brakes, all-wheel-drive systems, and vehicles with special lifting procedures.
- Choose the safest available location. Move away from traffic if the tire still holds enough air and the vehicle can be driven safely. Stop on firm, level ground, away from curves and narrow shoulders. Do not attempt a tire change on soft soil, loose gravel, a steep slope, or a surface where the jack could sink or slide.
- Make the vehicle visible and warn other drivers. Turn on the hazard lights. If the vehicle is near traffic, leave occupants in a protected location away from the roadway when possible. Do not stand in traffic to place a warning device. Follow local rules and use roadside assistance if the area is unsafe.
- Set the parking brake. Apply it fully before lifting the vehicle. A button-operated electronic parking brake should be engaged as directed by the owner’s manual. Do not assume that an electronic system has applied merely because the vehicle is in Park.
- Select Park or a gear. For an automatic, select Park. For a manual transmission, select first gear or reverse, following the manufacturer’s directions. Turn the engine off. On a hybrid or electric vehicle, make sure the vehicle is fully off and cannot enter a drive-ready state.
- Chock a wheel that will remain on the ground. Place a proper wheel chock against the tire on the opposite end of the vehicle from the flat, as the manual recommends. For example, when changing a front tire, a rear wheel is typically chocked; when changing a rear tire, a front wheel is typically chocked. Follow the vehicle’s specific instructions and use additional chocks if available.
- Get the tools and spare ready. Locate the jack, lug wrench, spare tire, and any wheel-lock key. Check the manual for the approved jack point and any special instructions. Keep tools within reach before raising the vehicle.
Chocks should be purpose-made, correctly sized for the tire, and placed on the side that will resist movement. A brick, small rock, or other improvised object may slip or break. If no suitable chock is available and the vehicle’s position is not completely secure, roadside assistance is the safer option.
Does It Matter Which Tire Is Flat?
In most vehicles, the parking brake acts on the rear wheels, but that is not universal. Some vehicles use different brake arrangements, and electronic parking-brake designs vary. The parking brake should generally remain set during a tire change because it helps secure the vehicle. However, if it is applied to the wheel being changed, that wheel may be difficult to rotate after it is raised. The owner’s manual takes priority over general instructions.
Do not release the parking brake simply because a raised wheel will not turn. A wheel that is difficult to turn is not, by itself, a reason to remove a key safety measure. If the vehicle’s official procedure requires a particular brake setting, service mode, or other preparation, follow that procedure exactly. If the instructions are unclear, stop and contact the manufacturer’s roadside service or a qualified technician.
Electronic parking brakes can have additional requirements. Some vehicles must be placed in a designated mode before certain service work. A flat battery, electrical fault, or damaged brake system can also prevent normal operation. The dashboard may display a warning. In those situations, avoid experimenting with controls while the vehicle is raised; consult the manual or get professional help.
Safe Tire-Changing Steps
Once the vehicle is parked and secured, use the steps in the owner’s manual. The following sequence is common for a conventional spare-tire change, but the manual should be followed if it differs.
- Remove the wheel cover or trim if necessary. Use the tool provided, taking care not to damage the wheel. If the vehicle has a locking lug nut, use its matching key.
- Loosen the lug nuts while the tire is still on the ground. Turn them counterclockwise using the proper wrench. Loosen each nut slightly, rather than removing it completely. This helps prevent the wheel from spinning while force is applied.
- Position the jack at the approved lift point. The correct point is listed or illustrated in the owner’s manual. A jack placed under the wrong part of the vehicle can damage the body, battery, suspension, or other components, and may slip.
- Raise the vehicle only enough to clear the tire. Keep hands, feet, and the wheel away from the space beneath the vehicle. Do not climb into the vehicle or start it while it is raised. If the ground shifts, the jack tilts, or the vehicle moves, stop and lower it if that can be done safely.
- Remove the loosened nuts and the flat tire. Set the wheel aside so it cannot roll into traffic. Fit the spare against the hub, aligning the holes.
- Install the lug nuts by hand. Tighten them until snug in a crisscross or star pattern, if the wheel and vehicle instructions call for that pattern. This helps seat the wheel evenly.
- Lower the vehicle and tighten the nuts to specification. Tighten in the specified pattern and use a torque wrench if the manual provides a torque value. A lug wrench alone may not provide a reliable measurement. Do not jump on the wrench or use an extension unless the manufacturer specifically permits it.
- Check the result before driving. Confirm that the tools and flat tire are stowed, the jack is removed, and the wheel looks properly seated. Follow the spare-tire instructions for speed, distance, and pressure, and arrange repair or replacement of the damaged tire promptly.
What to Do on a Highway Shoulder
A highway shoulder is often a poor place to change a tire. Passing vehicles create a serious risk, and the shoulder may be narrow, sloped, soft, or uneven. A parking brake and chocks cannot protect someone from nearby traffic or make an unstable surface safe for a jack.
If the flat occurs on a freeway, bridge, tunnel, or narrow shoulder, turn on the hazard lights and move to a safer location only if the vehicle can be driven without causing further danger. If it cannot, stay away from traffic and contact roadside assistance or emergency services as appropriate. Do not stand behind or beside the vehicle where passing traffic could strike you. A spare tire is not worth risking a person’s safety.
On a quiet road with a wide, level shoulder, a tire change may be possible if the vehicle can be positioned securely and the manual permits it. Even then, traffic, darkness, weather, and visibility matter. If any condition makes the task uncertain, professional assistance is the prudent choice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on Park alone. Park helps prevent movement but does not replace the parking brake and wheel chocks.
- Skipping the chock. The vehicle may roll if the brake does not hold or the surface is uneven. Use a proper chock whenever possible.
- Using the jack on an unstable surface. A jack can sink into soil or slide on an incline. Do not lift the vehicle if the base cannot sit securely.
- Putting any part of the body under the vehicle. A roadside jack is not a support stand. Never work beneath a vehicle raised by it.
- Loosening all the nuts after lifting. Lug nuts are harder to loosen when the wheel is off the ground and may cause the vehicle to move.
- Overtightening or unevenly tightening lug nuts. Incorrect tightening can damage components or make future removal difficult. Use the specified torque and tightening pattern when provided.
- Driving too fast on a temporary spare. Compact spares commonly have limits for speed, distance, and inflation pressure. Read the spare’s label and the manual rather than assuming it can be used like a regular tire.
Quick Safety Checklist
| Safety step | What to check |
|---|---|
| Location | Firm, level ground, away from traffic where possible |
| Vehicle controls | Parking brake set; automatic in Park or manual in gear; engine off |
| Wheel restraint | Suitable chock placed as directed by the owner’s manual |
| Jack placement | Approved lift point identified in the manual |
| Personal safety | No one under the vehicle; stop if the vehicle or jack shifts |
| After installation | Lug nuts tightened to specification; spare limits checked |
What Reliable Guidance Says
The vehicle owner’s manual is the primary source for jack locations, wheel-changing instructions, parking-brake procedures, and temporary-spare restrictions. These details can vary by model and equipment. For general tire and vehicle safety information, drivers can consult the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s tire safety guidance and the AAA roadside safety resources. If instructions conflict with a generic guide, the vehicle manufacturer’s directions should govern.
In practical terms, the answer to “Should I put the parking brake on when changing a tire?” is yes, in most cases. Set it before lifting, select Park or a gear, and chock a grounded wheel. Then use the manual’s procedure and approved jack point. If the ground, traffic, brake system, or instructions make the job unsafe or uncertain, do not proceed; call for professional roadside help.