Flat Tire Facts and Guide

Flat tires are one of the most common car issues drivers face, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risk. Knowing what to do in the event of a flat tire and how to prevent it will keep you, your passengers, and other drivers safer on the road. Below, we’ll cover everything from the most important flat tire facts to practical steps for dealing with a flat.

Get Roadside Assistance

You can sign up for roadside assistance with your own insurance company, a third-party provider or your credit card company. Roadside assistance companies offer a number of benefits and services, including:

• Emergency medical assistance
• Flat tire replacement
• Fuel refills
• Jump starts
• Towing
• Winching

Some of the biggest roadside service companies include AAA, AARP, Motor Club of America and the Allstate Motor Club Membership.

Maintain Your Tires

You can reduce your risk of getting a flat by having proper tire maintenance and safe driving habits, like driving slowly through construction zones. Some of the biggest things you can do to keep your tires safe include:

1. Check your tire pressure: The NHTSA suggests using a pressure gauge once a month to ensure proper tire pressure. The recommended pressure is usually located on the driver’s side door or along the door jamb. 
2. Rotate your tires: Switch the front tires to the back and vice versa. You can have a mechanic do it for you, but Edmunds recommends rotating tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to give the front tires a break from the regular wear and tear they endure, especially for front-wheel-drive cars.
3. Avoid driving over road hazards: If you can, avoid road hazards, such as potholes, metal, glass, nails and other road debris. 
4. Avoid overloading your vehicle: If you have to carry a heavy load when moving or going camping, you may want to increase your tire pressure to the maximum recommended number.
5. Check your tires for recalls: You can use this NHTSA tool to check for key recall dates on your vehicle. Most tires have a recommended manufacturer lifetime before they become a hazard to drive on and some manufacturers will offer a replacement for free if you can verify your tire is defective. 

2. Don’t drive on a flat: Unless you have a flat-run tire, you should not drive on a flat tire. You could cause further damage to your car or get into an accident.
3. Change the Tire (If You Can): If you feel confident and have the right equipment, follow these steps to replace your tire:
   • Ensure the car is in a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights.
   • Grab your spare tire and car jack (usually located in your trunk). You’ll need this to elevate your car high enough for you to remove the old tire and replace it with a new one.
   • If you have safety reflectors to alert other drivers to your presence on the road, place these in appropriate locations.
   • Loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench, but don’t remove them completely yet.
   • Lift the car using the jack, ensuring it’s at least six inches off the ground.
   • Remove the lug nuts and the flat tire, then mount the spare tire.
   • Hand-tighten the lug nuts onto the spare tire, lower the car back to the ground, and finish tightening the nuts securely.
   • Once your new tire is installed, check its PSI using a pressure gauge. The recommended PSI should be indicated on the spare tire or on your car’s inside door frame.
4. Call for help: If you don’t know how to change a flat, call for help! Reach out to family, friends or your roadside assistance provider if you have one. More on roadside assistance options below.