Flat Tire Facts and Guide

Flat tires may be the last thing on your mind when you get behind the wheel, but they’re one of the most common car issues drivers face. Knowing what to do in the event of a flat tire and how to prevent flat tires will keep you, your passengers and other drivers safer on the road. But what kind of precautions should you take? What’s the best course of action if you find yourself on the road with a flat tire?

Below, we’ll cover everything from the most important flat tire facts and figures to how to navigate the stressful process of dealing with a flat tire.

2. Don’t drive on it: 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 your tire: If you have a full-sized spare and know how to change your tire, go ahead and do so. If you’re not sure how to change a flat tire, follow these steps:
   • Make sure your car is parked in a safe location.
   • Turn on your hazards if you don’t already have them on.
   • Grab your spare tire and jack, which most people keep in the trunk.
   • Loosen the lug nuts (located on the wheel stud) with your iron.
   • Jack your car up until the wheel is about 6 inches off the ground and do not crawl under your vehicle while it’s lifted.
   • Remove the lug nuts and the flat tire.
   • Place your spare tire into the wheel stud
   • Lightly tighten the lug nuts into the spare by hand.
   • Lower your vehicle back to the ground with your jack.
   • Finish tightening the lug nuts with your iron and you’re good to go.
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.

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 side of 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 10,000 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.⁶
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.