How To Change A Tire Without A Jack: 3 Quick & Easy Ways!

No tire jack available when your tire has already gone flat; so annoying, we get it. But if you’re in a situation like that, you have nothing to worry about because there are other incredibly easy and available alternatives to a jack. So, how to change a tire without a jack?

Using ramps of different materials, using a lever, using a Juniper on the tire’s axle, and driving your car on a slope or hilly areas are some of the most useful alternatives to a tire jack.

But you just know the names till now. Read on to know all the details including how you can use the alternatives, what the risk factors are, and other information related to the topic.

4 Easy Methods To Change A Tire Without A Jack

Before I share the techniques of how to get a tire off without a jack, know that it will need around 20 – 30 minutes in total. Prepare and start following the given methods. 

Method 1: Use Ramps

Using ramps is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to lift your car without a jack. But just remember that ramps have weight limits so your car shouldn’t be too heavy before driving it up one.

When it comes to buying a car ramp, you can choose from several options like Bkack Wdow Rams, Scepter Ramp set, Mangum Ramp Systems and others. And, note that each ramp type has individual weight limits ranging from 6,000-16,000 pounds.

You can make a ramp yourself using wood as well and it would be an even less expensive option.

Now, let’s get to know how you can use ramps to get your job done.

1. To start off, find a level surface and park your car there. Then, make the front wheels point just straight ahead by centring the steering wheel.
2. Now, take the first ramp and slide it in front of the car (driver-side wheel). Position the ramp in a way so it touches the rubber of the tire.
3. Take another ramp and place it under the passenger-side wheel of your car’s front.
4. Every ramp should be centred in the tire’s path. It helps both wheels of your car be totally supported by the ramps when you move it forward.
5. Slowly drive your car and keep it straightforward on the ramps. You’ll notice the car creep up the ramps (you need to apply more throttle for that).
6. Just keep driving slowly and steadily up to the ramps and wait for your car to level out. Once it’s up the ramps, stop right there.
7. When the front wheels of your car are right at the tops of the ramps, put your car in park and set the parking brake.
8. Turn the ignition off and get the ignition key out.
9. Finally, chock the rear wheels so your car doesn’t roll back down the ramps.

Method 2: Use The Lever Method

Worth mentioning in the first place is that try not to follow this method if you are alone. It’s because the method requires strength as you’re going to use apply quite a lot of force while doing the job.

And, here’s how you can do it.

1. First off, you need something sturdy (like a solid wood piece or a sturdy stone) for changing the weight of your car. It will be a weight distribution channel or the lever here.
2. Drive the truck toward the rock so that the tire gets onto the rock. The rock or load here will act as a pivot. You should make the pivot closer to your car than to the effort point (handle).
3. Now, apply force on the outer end of the lever so you can lift the side of your car with the tire to be changed. 
4. When the tire is off the ground and exposed to the air, place a woodblock or stone under your car so the tire is off the ground. 
5. Use a lug wrench on each nut to take them down. Then, take out the old tire.
6. Attach a new tire and add the nuts. Insert them using the lug wrench.

Method 3: Use Juniper On The Tire’s Axle.

1. Park the car in a secure place.
2. Grab the juniper and set it on the axle (behind the tire). Makes sure it is placed a bit like a parallelogram shape.
3. Now, run to your truck and start it. Slowly move the truck forward a bit so that the juniper gets straight when you go toward the front. Do not give up if the juniper breaks or you see a series of failures.
4. Turn off the truck and get out to look beneath if the juniper is stuck in the axle rightly or not.
5. Take a digger and dig out some soil near the tire to reach the gap.
6. Use the lug wrench to remove the nuts and then detach the tire.
7. Install the new tire and add nuts to fit via lug wrench.

Method 4: Drive-In Hilly Area So That Tire Stay Up.

Although jacking your car on a hilly area or a slope can save you in an emergency, it’s better not to follow the method if it’s not such important.

Even if you do so, make sure you don’t jack the car on a slope angling higher than 3 degrees because you run a risk of the jack failing. So, it’s better to avoid this method if this is not that important.

But if there’s no other option, make sure you use the most level ground available there. And, here are the step-by-step process of jacking up your car in a hilly area.

1. Turn on the truck and ride it to the hilly or sloppy areas. 
2. Stop the car in a down to up-level terrain where the targeted tire will remain on the upside without contacting the ground. If it seems hard to understand, just go on the top where the tire on the rear stay in the air. 
3. Turn your truck off and get out of it. 
4. Hold the targeted tire to see if it causes the car to lose balance or not. 
5. Locate the nuts on the tire that holds. 
6. Take the lug wrench and start removing the nuts. 
7. Remove the tire from the truck. 
8. Attach the new one and insert the nut. Tighten them using a lug wrench. 
9. Rotate the tires to see if it has some issue or not. 

That’s how you can replace the tire without the car jack.

Is It Safe to Use Cinder Blocks Instead of Jack Stands?

Since the cinder block is much lighter and not made of the strongest materials out there, there’s a risk that your car can fall off the jark. However, you can use them as temporary support only if there’s no option available.

Also, make sure you avoid using the blocks on uneven or lateral roads.

Still, you won’t get the result of other options like marble or granite as they are much stronger than cinder blocks. And, you should consult your local building code before using cinderblocks to lift your car.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you change a tire without tools?

It’s impossible to change the tires with no tools. You’ll need to have gears as well as skill to get it done in the finest way. However, it’s true that you can change the tire without some tools like a jack or tire machine. 

2. How often should you change the tires?

It’s nice to replace your truck tires once every 6 years to avoid facing bad riding performance. Or else, change the tires in every 25k to 80k miles for the safe side. If you care about the tires pretty well, then you can replace them after 8 – 10 years. 

3. Is it worth it to change your own tires?

Yup! You can save your extra bucks and learn the technique to increase your mechanical skill which is a great thing. The biggest thing is you don’t have to leave your lovely truck in the auto shop and change the tires with new ones.

Wrap Up

Replacing the tire is easy when you have all the tools right beside you. But it gets a little challenging when you don’t have the main tool like a jack or lifting equipment to be able to do the work properly. 

Be sure to contact the expert or go to the auto shop if none of the above methods works for you. And remember to wear safety gear which is essential to keep your body safe.    

Hopefully, this guide about how to change a tire without a jack is detailed for you to get the right idea and direction to fulfill the purpose. Good Luck On Your Work!