As a car owner, you know one thing: occasional loss of air pressure in tires is inevitable. When you get a flat tire, one side of your car will take a bow. It would be best not to drive with a flat tire for safety, so replace it as soon as possible. But what if that’s impossible and you must drive the car a short distance away? This post is just about that. We will review the steps to travel a short distance on a flat tire.
Immediately Pullover
When you feel that one of your tires has run flat, turn on the hazard lights and pull over to the side of the road. Examine the tire’s condition and determine whether you can replace it. To remain safe, place a triangle reflector facing the traffic to warn other vehicles.Â
Replacing a Flat Tire
You can replace the flat tire once you’ve found a safe location and a spare wheel. Begin by applying the parking brake and wheel wedges around every tire to ensure the vehicle does not move. Next, remove your wheel cover and bring out the wrench to loosen the lug nuts by turning them anticlockwise.
Put the jack under the vehicle and lift it to an appropriate level. Afterward, the lug nuts are unscrewed completely, and the flat tire is removed. Place the spare tire on the lug bolts, screw the lug nuts back, and replace the wheel cover. Finally, you can lower your vehicle and stow back all the equipment. Here’s a good resource at Dummies.com on changing a flat tire.
Call the Towing Service
What should you do if you don’t have a spare tire? In this case, an emergency towing service is ideal to avoid driving with a flat tire. However, remember that most companies take around 45 minutes to arrive at your location. If you’re lucky, they will replace the tire on the spot or else tow your vehicle to the nearest technician.
Drive Slowly
What if you don’t have a spare tire and the towing service is not responding? Then, you have to take the car to a tire workshop. Whether travelling a short distance for tire replacement or taking it to a technician, the key is not to speed. Maintain a speed under 20 mph or 32 km/h when driving with a flat tire.
Take a Straight Route
Take a route with fewer turns and twists when driving with a flat tire. On a turning road, slow down the speed to avoid damaging the tire further.
Find the Nearest Tire Technician
We all have that one go-to tire technician we visit for all our tire problems. However, driving with a flat tire means you have to see the nearest expert you can find. It reduces the chances of an accident and speeds up the process.
Look out for a gas station with staff who can pump up your tire. You can also use your mobile GPS to locate the nearest gas station.
Takeaway
Driving with a flat tire can be dangerous, so you should pull over immediately to tackle the issue. We recommend having a spare tire and the required equipment in the trunk to replace a flat tire, especially before you go on a long drive. If you don’t have a spare tire, try your luck with a towing service company or locate the nearest gas station and approach it slowly.
