An Inevitable experience for every car owner is that one day you will get a flat tire. There is no way to make this event fun, but knowing what to do can make it a whole lot more manageable. On that note, take a look at this detailed guide on how to handle a flat tire in multiple situations.
Get to a Safe Location
You can get a flat tire anywhere — at home, at work, on the side of the road, or on the highway. If you’re not at home and you notice you have a flat, take a moment to assess your surroundings. If you’re in a place where you don’t feel safe, whether it’s because of speeding traffic or other reasons, you should carefully move to a safe location. If there isn’t a safe place close by, call a roadside assistance provider. Don’t attempt to drive a long distance on a flat tire.
Assess the Tire
If you feel safe where you are, the next step is to assess the tire. Have you run over a nail or screw? If so, you’ll either have to use a tire repair kit, mount your spare tire, or call in the professionals. If you don’t see anything obvious, grab a portable air compressor and inflate your tire to the correct PSI. Listen for air hissing out of the tire. If you don’t hear the air rushing you have a slow leak and it’s probably safe to drive home, but keep an eye on the tire. If you do hear air rushing out, you need to mount your spare tire.
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How to Mount a Spare Tire
- Make sure you’re on level ground or your car will roll.
- Put the car in park and engage the emergency brake. If you have wheel blocks, use them.
- Position your jack at the correct jack points. Your owner’s manual will tell you where they are.
- Raise the jack until the car starts to give resistance.
- Loosen the lug nuts but don’t remove them.
- Raise the car until the tire is an inch off the ground.
- Finish removing the lug nuts and remove the tire.
- Position your spare tire on the wheel studs and replace the lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts with your hand then loosely tighten them with your lug wrench.
- Slowly lower the car until it is resting on all of it’s tires.
- Finish tightening the lug nuts.
If you need more than a tire repair, come see us at Red McCombs Superior Body Shop.