One of the worst sounds you can hear while driving is the thud of a flat tire. It is always unsettling when your gauge cluster alerts you that your tire pressure is low in one, or several tires. Some of the causes for flat tires can come from hitting a pothole, running over a nail, or driving over debris. It is not good for you car for you to drive on a flat tire. Therefore, it is good to know how to handle flat tires.
How-to Handle Flat Tires: Steps to Take
Stop
As soon as you notice you have a flat tire, try and stay calm. You may be alerted by a loud bumping or thudding sound. Slow your car down and put your flashers on. Then, if safe to do so, try and get over as far to the right as you can. If there is a parking lot or a place to pull over safely, go park there. The least amount of distance you can drive on flat tires, the better.
Tire Type
Next, when trying to handle flat tires, you must determine which type of tires you have. With more and more tires becoming run-flats, it may be impossible for you to change the tire yourself. This is because when a car manufacturer puts run-flat tires on a car, they do not give you a spare. Even with run-flat tires, you will only be able to drive a short distance before needing a new tire.
If you do not have run-flat tires, you will likely find a spare or a tire sealant and inflator kit. If you are in a safe place to try and change out or repair your own tire, you can do so. Otherwise, you can call for roadside assistance. Many auto companies are providing their own roadside assistance, or there is always AAA if you are a member.
Get Help
If multiple tires are flat, you may be in need of a tow truck to come get your car. This is because you usually only have one spare tire. Otherwise, roadside assistance or AAA will come and put a spare on. Alternatively, if you know how to handle flat tires on your own, you can change the tire yourself.
Depending on what fix was available, you may need to go to an auto body shop to get a new tire. Spares will only last you so long, depending on what type of spare they were. On a donut spare, do not drive more than 70 miles and no faster than 50 miles per hour before replacing your donut with a new tire. Always remember to replace your spare after you have used it so that you are prepared in the event that you have another flat in the future. A popped run flat tire will need to be replaced as well. You can drive on them even if they have popped due to their reinforced sidewalls. However, Run-flat tires cannot be driven faster than 50 miles per hour once they have gotten a flat. They typically offer up to 50 miles of extra drive distance.