What To Do If Your Tire Goes Flat

Learning the dos and don’ts of flat tires can save you time, money, and even your life! Read on and see why.

First things first. How do you know when a tire is flat or going flat?

  • If you have less than 3/16” remaining on your tread, keep an eye on them.

  • If your steering wheel shakes.

  • If a tire has a bulge or blister, it’s very important to replace it ASAP as this can cause a blowout at any time.

  • If your tire is not properly inflated. 

What do you do next? A good idea is to keep a spare tire in your trunk. If you plan on changing it yourself, here are a few tips:

  • Don’t drive over 20 miles per hour. Press the accelerator lightly, idling as much as possible until you find a place to pull over. 

  • Try to stay on flat ground. Avoid potholes, inclines, and debris on the road as this may cause your rims to bend which will put your car out of alignment. Rough road conditions can damage your rims, also causing them to bend.

  • If you have to turn the wheel, do so gently as sharply turning will place more strain on your rim edges. 

  • Get off the main road as soon as possible. Put your car in park and immediately turn on your emergency flashers for your safety. 

  • Make sure you are on level ground in case you need to use a jack to lift the car.

  • Be sure traffic is clear before exiting your car.

IMPORTANT: You should never attempt to drive any further than a couple of hundred yards on a flat tire, even if it isn’t completely deflated. 

Why not drive on it for a while? Here’s why:

  • If it’s flat due to a puncture caused by a sharp object on the road, the tire can probably be salvaged and repaired. A puncture up to ¼-inch is manageable, costing only $15-30. If you continue to drive, the puncture could potentially expand beyond the ¼-inch and therefore will be too large to repair.

  • That’s just the beginning. If you continue to drive on it and the puncture expands or the rim causes damage to the sidewall, the tire may blow out. Say goodby to that tire and hello to an uncontrollable vehicle. 

  • When the tire is flat, you’re now driving on the rim which can obviously cause damage to it by bending, cracking, or grinding it. 

  • Continuous driving on your flat can cause damage to your vehicle’s suspension, rotor, balance, alignment, brakes, and more.

  • By keeping tire pressure at the recommended level, you’ll enjoy a smooth ride, but it will also make handling of the vehicle much easier. By driving on a flat tire, your vehicle will act erratically, potentially causing an accident. 

If you’ve experienced a flat tire and need a new or used one, contact Hoopers Tire Outlet. Visit them at Hoopers Tire Outlet.