Imagine going on an important journey and finding out at the last moment that your vehicle’s tire is flat. How will you feel then? Miserable, right? Life is unpredictable, and we all face such situations, so it’s better to learn how to tackle them in advance.
Firstly, be patient and don’t get out of the car. Discontinue driving. Otherwise, you will destroy the tire, and the rim will also be damaged. Now go to the nearest gas station or find a comfortable spot to change the tire.
Keeping your tires in top-notch condition is a must. But still, you’ll face a flat tire problem. Stick around to tackle the situation like a pro.
Signs of Having a Flat Tire:
Difficulty Acceleration
When this happens, you will feel difficulty accelerating. You will feel it, especially while taking turns. So, whenever you sense a problem in accelerating, it could be you have a flat tire.
Vibration
Another sign of a flat tire is excessive vibration during driving. Something happened; the tire began to shake. This is because the other tires are unbalanced, so the steering wheel shakes. This denotes that there is some problem with the tire. It increases the risk of sudden damage to the tire.
Tire Pressure Sensor Light
You can keep checking on the front tire pressure by TPMS. If the TPMS light is active, your tire has low air. You need to fill the tire pressure after the light activates.
Tire Is Flat
A flat tire is an unexpected hassle you sometimes face during your hectic day and can cause physical damage. If any cut or crack appears on the tire, you need to repair the tire.
So, if you notice any sign or warning of a flat tire, you must get ahead of this issue.
What Can Cause a Flat Tire?
Here are a few causes of getting a flat tire!
- Any sharp object on the road can damage your car’s tire, and it gets punctured. The vehicle tire will slowly leak air, resulting in a flat tire in a short period.
- Valve stem damage is another cause of tire failure. It is the damage that occurs in the valve stem due to corrosion.
- The sudden tire pressure leads to overinflation. This over-inflation shrinks the tire’s footprint, and the size decreases, ultimately leading to this issue.
- The variations in temperature increase or decrease the air pressure of your car’s tire very slowly. The car’s tire loses 2% of the air pressure on every 12-degree Celsius rise in temperature. It is vice versa and can become a reason for getting a flat tire.
- The road’s terrible condition is another cause of flat tires. It is challenging to notice road hazards while driving, so it badly affects your vehicle’s tires.
Can You Drive on a Flat Tire
The simple answer to this question is “no.” You cannot drive on a flat tire. If you go on a damaged tire, you will have to face other issues due to the low tire pressure. The tire repair will be according to the damage caused to your tire. And if there is severe damage, you will need an emergency tire change. Ideally, you must have a spare tire in your car.
What Happens When You Drive on a Flat Tire
Having a flat tire is a common problem, occurring anywhere and anytime. So, you must know how to tackle the moment. Note that it can cause further damage to your tire, and you might face a significant blowout. So, it is advised that you do not drive on a flat tire. Keeping an owner’s manual and spare tire in your car will help you deal with such problems.
Check Out Don’t Do That! Why Driving on a Flat Tire Is Dangerous and Could Cause More Damage:
Steps to Change a Flat Tire:
Changing a flat tire is pretty straightforward and definitely handy when you are on a journey, have a flat tire, and there is no gas station near you.
Here’s what to do when you have a flat tire!
- Look for a Safe Location
When you know that you have a flat tire, never try to stop on the spot. Find a safe location and look at it in your surrounding. An empty parking lot will be the best place to change a flat tire. It will not disturb the oncoming traffic.
- Active Your Hazard Lights
Secondly, turn on your hazard lights. It is to avoid an accident. People will be able to see you replace the tire. Hazard lights save you from difficulties in many ways and give you a bit of control over the situation.
- Apply the Parking Brake and Wheel Wedges
You must apply the parking brake. Applying the parking brakes will reduce the risk of tire rolling. Put on the wheel wedges in front of the tire. It will also minimize tire rolling. Parking brakes, also known as emergency brakes, will help you in this way.
- Put Off the Hubcap and Loosen the Lug Nuts
Remove the hubcap if the tire’s lug nuts are covered with a hubcap. After that, use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts. Do not remove the lug nuts altogether. So, a lug wrench will help you in tightening and loosen tires. Replace the lug nuts and try to tighten each one equally to keep your spare evenly mounted.
- Raise the Vehicle and Unscrew the Lug Nuts
Now position the jack and raise the car properly. Lower the jack. The flat tire must be 6 inches above the level ground. Level ground is good because it can prevent your vehicle from rolling. Pull it upward.
- Remove the Flat Tire and Mount the Spare Tire
Pull the flat tire towards your side until it is free from the hubcap. Now, place the spare tire on the hub. Put the lug nuts back in their position.
- Lower the Vehicle
Let your vehicle down with the help of a jack. Tight the lug nuts with the help of a wrench.
- Replacing the Hubcap
At last, if the hubcap fits on the new spare tire, put it in its place. Hence, improving your car’s performance is not a bad idea.
Who to Call When You Have a Flat Tire?
A flat tire will leave you stuck in the middle of your journey. It is an unsafe situation for you and your vehicle also.
For experienced hands, changing a flat tire would be a breeze. But if you don’t feel confident enough, call a reliable roadside assistance provider like Road Speed Solutions.
They can inform you about the service providers near you, guide you on call or come for you. You need to know about roadside assistance programs so you are never left alone with a broken vehicle.
Also, you can call any of your friends if you are near their town. But if you are on the highway and have a flat tire, there is another option for you. You can also call 911 since it is a universal contact service. They have professional trainers for every problem and will assist you concisely.
No Spare Tire Available
You may not have a spare tire, and it is common too. But it does not mean you can not fix the situation. Here are some helpful tips to follow in such a scenario.
You can make the flat tire work again with the help of a tire plug kit. Repair it a little to take you to a service stop. Tire sealant in the tire plug kit covers small punctures in the tires. A glove box should be present in your car.
- You can also buy a run-flat tire. These tires can cover a limited distance. In this little distance, you can reach a gas station. It can make the tire stable in the case of a blowout.
- Use emergency contact services like Road Speed Solutions or 911. They will help you on the spot, and these emergency contact services can be lifesaving for you. Also, your vehicle will be saved from severe damage. On your lucky day, you will get help from a vehicle passing by too. Implement these tips if you have a flat tire and no spare available. Remember to have an extra tire at all times. It will certainly save the day for you.
FAQS:
What Should You Do When You Have a Flat Tire?
You can fix a flat tire in two ways. The first option is that you park your vehicle at a safe place and change the flat tire with the spare one. It is the perfect thing to do and saves you from further damage.
Or you can keep going until you reach a gas station. You need need to be sure that there is a gas station at a safe distance. But still, it can be a dangerous thing to do.
What to Do When You Have a Flat Tire With No Spare?
First, don’t panic; you can always use a tire repair kit to repair your tire. Furthermore, you can call Road Speed Solutions for more assistance. You will need a rasp tool to fix the tire.
How Do You Know That You Need an Alignment?
The signs that you need an alignment include uneven rear tire wear, noisy steering, and squealing tires. Visual inspection is important. Your car will pull right or left. Another sign is that the steering wheel will crook when you are driving straight.
How Do I Check My Alignment?
Here are some easy steps to know for sure whether you need an alignment or not:
– First, remove all the tire issues like lower air pressure because the same are the signs of low air pressure. After that, you will know whether you need alignment of your tire or not.
– If there is more wear on it, it means the tire needs an alignment. If the steering gearbox and bearings have a problem, it can cause abnormal wear on the tire’s footprint.
How Do You Know if Your Car Needs a Tire Rotation?
If your car is vibrating under perfect and normal conditions on the road, it is a symptom of a worn tire. Abnormal tread on the car’s wear denotes the improper alignment of the vehicle. These symptoms make it clear that your car needs a tire rotation. You can handle it easily with foreign objects.
Conclusion
This guide will help you fix a car having a flat tire. Remember one thing more than always keep your tire inflation proper. Also, give your car a visual inspection before traveling. Make sure that they have a sufficient amount of tread.
It will minimize your expenses of changing a tire or buying a new one for your car. So, the insertion and rasp tools must be in your car.
Agustin is part of the team at Road Speed Solutions, a reliable and efficient roadside assistance business with over a decade of experience in New Jersey.
What sets Road Speed Solution apart is the team's commitment to giving back to the community, regularly donating to local charities and supporting small businesses. Choose Roadside Speed Solutions for prompt, trustworthy roadside assistance services.
