Most drivers have experienced the dread of driving their car when suddenly they’re struck with a flat tire. With so many things on the road that can puncture your tires like potholes, glass, nails and screws, or cracks in the pavement, it’s not a question of if you’ll ever find yourself stranded with a flat tire, but when. And while it’s definitely something no driver wants to experience, it’s important to know what you should do when your tire goes flat, and how to take care of it.
Pull Over and Assess The Damage
As soon as you feel or hear your tire go flat, you need to pull over your car immediately. Ideally, you should pull over to a clear stretch of road away from traffic so that you can safely get out of your car and assess the damage to the tire and see if there is any additional damage to your wheels or rims. Once you’re safely out of your car and have checked everything, it’s time to see if you can change out the flat for a spare tire.
If You’re Able, Change Out the Flat Tire
If you have the tools needed and a spare tire in your car, then it’s time to change out the flat. However, if you’re missing some tools or have any other potential limitations, it’s always better to either call a friend or roadside assistance to help you change out your tire or a towing company that can get you to the nearest mechanic.
Call For Help and Get to a Mechanic
If you’ve managed to change out your tire successfully, you’re not in the clear yet. Spare tires aren’t meant to be driven on for more than a few miles, usually just enough to get you to an auto shop. So once you’ve got the spare tire on and are ready to get back on the road, go ahead and get yourself to the nearest mechanic, or call for help if you need it.
A flat tire can be a stressful, anxiety-inducing, and inconvenient experience, but it’s bound to happen to most drivers at some point. So it’s best to make sure you’re prepared, and to stay calm and collected when it happens.