How to Loosen Lug Nuts

If you want to remove a flat tire from your car, first you must remove the lug nuts. Changing a tire has many steps and removing the lug nuts is an integral part. Of course, before they can be removed, they must be loosened and this should be done before the car is jacked up. This is an easy process, and requires only a tire iron.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tire iron

1. Remove the hub cap in order to expose the lug nuts. Most hub caps have indentations where you can get your fingers in and pry it loose.

2. Place the end of the tire iron securely around the first lug nut.

3. Turn the tire iron clockwise until the lug nut gives way and loosens. If the lug nut refuses to budge you may need to step down on the tire iron, providing extra pressure.

4. Repeat Step 2 and Step 3 for the remaining lug nuts, until they have all been loosened.

Tips & Warnings

• If the lug nuts are stuck, you can spray them with WD-40 to get them to loosen more easily.
• When changing a flat tire, loosen the lug nuts before you jack up the car. Once the tire is lifted from the ground the entire wheel will have a tendency to spin, making it more difficult to loosen the lug nuts.
• You can loosen the lug nuts using your hands once they have been loosened sufficiently with the tire iron. Twist them counterclockwise until they come off to remove tire.

Resources

• Tutorial video from Expert Village