What is what to do when you have a flat tire?

What to Do When You Have a Flat Tire

A flat tire can be a frustrating and sometimes dangerous situation. Here's a breakdown of how to handle it safely and effectively:

1. Safety First!: As soon as you suspect a flat, slowly and carefully pull over to a safe location. This should be a level surface away from traffic. Activate your hazard lights immediately.

   • If you're on a busy road or highway, it may be safer to drive slowly on the flat tire (if possible) to reach a safer spot, even if it means damaging the wheel further.

2. Gather Your Supplies: Locate your vehicle's spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and owner's manual. Also, consider having gloves, a flashlight (if it's dark), and wheel chocks for added safety.

3. Prepare the Vehicle:

   • Apply the parking brake.
   • Place wheel chocks behind the wheels that are opposite the flat tire.
   • Consult your owner's manual for the correct jacking points on your vehicle's frame.

4. Loosen the Lug Nuts: Before jacking up the car, use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Turn them counterclockwise. Don't remove them completely; just break them free. You may need to apply significant force.

5. Jack Up the Vehicle:

   • Position the jack under the designated jacking point.
   • Slowly and steadily raise the vehicle until the flat tire is a few inches off the ground. Make sure the car is stable.

6. Remove the Lug Nuts and Flat Tire: Now, fully unscrew the lug nuts and carefully remove the flat tire.

7. Mount the Spare Tire: Align the spare tire with the wheel studs and push it onto the hub.

8. Hand-Tighten the Lug Nuts: Screw the lug nuts on by hand, tightening them in a star pattern (opposite nuts) to ensure even pressure.

9. Lower the Vehicle: Slowly lower the vehicle until the spare tire is touching the ground but still has some weight on the jack.

10. Tighten the Lug Nuts Fully: Using the lug wrench, tighten the lug nuts completely, again in a star pattern.

11. Lower the Vehicle Completely: Lower the vehicle all the way to the ground and remove the jack.

12. Final Tightening: Give the lug nuts one last tightening check.

13. Stow the Flat Tire and Tools: Put the flat tire, jack, lug wrench, and any other tools back in their designated storage locations.

14. Check Tire Pressure: Inflate the spare tire to the correct pressure (check the sidewall of the spare tire for the recommended PSI).

15. Get Your Flat Tire Repaired or Replaced: Spare tires are usually temporary. Visit a tire shop as soon as possible to have your flat tire repaired or replaced. Driving on a spare tire for extended periods or at high speeds can be dangerous. Be aware of the speed and distance limitations of your spare tire type (donut, full-size, etc.).