Whenever or wherever it may happen, a flat tire is always a huge inconvenience. Whether you’re on backroads or on the highway, getting a flat will greatly affect your day, and where you’re able to go. But after you get that dreaded flat tire, what do you need to do next? What if you’re unable to pull over right away? No matter where you’ve gotten your flat, be sure to stay calm and get help as soon as you can.
Before You Pull Over, Turn On Your Hazards
The moment you hear or feel your tire go flat, it’s vital that you get off the road as quickly as possible. Before you pull over, be sure to slow down, and turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights to alert other motorists on the road that you’re in trouble. Ideally, you want to pull over on a clear stretch of land away from the road and from traffic, to give yourself plenty of room to get out of your car safely and assess the damage. Once you’re out of your vehicle, be sure to examine not only the flat tire but your wheels and rims as well. If your wheel is dented or damaged, you might not be able to change to a spare tire. If it is just your tire that has been harmed, you can then change the tire, and get back on the road.
How to Change Your Tire
Once you are safely off the road and away from traffic, you can begin changing your tire if you have a spare. It’s important to remember, however, that your spare tire is not meant to function as a permanent tire, and will only last you a few miles on the road until you can get to a trusted mechanic.
Change your tire with these steps:
- Position wedges under your wheel to prevent the car from moving. Put them behind your back tires if you’re changing a front tire, and vice versa
- Turn the lug nuts on the flat tire counterclockwise to loosen them
- Use your jack lift to lift the flat tire by 6 inches
- Take off the loosened lug nuts
- Hold the flat tire and pull it to yourself so you can remove it.
- Put on your spare tire by lining up the tire rim and lug bolts
- Put the lug nuts onto the spare tire and tighten by turning them clockwise
- Lower the car and make sure the spare tire is intact with the ground
- Tighten your lug nuts by turning them clockwise with a wrench
- Be sure your car is completely lowered and take off the jack lift
- Check to be sure your spare has proper tire pressure before driving on it
If you are missing any necessary tools or don’t have a spare tire, call a towing company and get your car to your mechanic.
Come See The Team at Choisser Automotive
When you’re stuck with a flat, or have damage to your wheels or rims, be sure to come to see the team at Choisser Automotive for great tire service in Dawsonville, MD today, and we’ll get you back on the road in no time!