Did you know that only 42% of people feel confident that they know how to change a flat tire? Are you part of the 58% of people that don’t feel comfortable changing a tire? Getting a flat tire can be a stressful experience if you are not sure what to do.
Thankfully, with a little bit of knowledge, you can get your car back on the road in no time. Keep reading to learn about what to do if you get a flat tire.
Watch for Warning Signs
One of the best things that you can do when getting a flat tire is to catch it early. Most vehicles have warning lights that indicate when something is wrong. As soon as your tire begins to lose pressure, the warning light should turn on.
Besides a warning light coming on, here are some other signs of a flat tire:
- Poor handling
- Dragging from one side of the vehicle
- Popping noise
- Poor acceleration
If you are driving on the highway and notice these signs, pull over immediately to see if your tire is going flat. If you catch the tire before it is completely flat, you may be able to patch it.
In addition to watching for warning signs, you should also keep your tires in good condition. Make sure your tires have enough tread depth to prevent them from going flat.
Change the Tire
If you get a flat tire, the quickest way to fix it is to pull over on the side of the road and change the tire. To change your flat tire, you will need to have a spare tire.
If you are not sure how to change a flat tire, you can either look it up in your car’s manual or use your phone to look it up online!
Call a Friend or Family Member
Calling a friend or family member to help you change the tire may be the perfect solution if you aren’t comfortable changing it on your own. The odds are good that you know someone familiar with changing a tire.
Having a friend or family member help you change your tire could save you time and money if you are not able to do it.
Call Roadside Assistance
If you aren’t comfortable changing your own tire and you don’t have any friends or family that can help, the next best option is to call for roadside assistance. Roadside assistance will come out and change your tire for you.
This also could be the best option if you don’t have a spare tire or if the tire is not able to be changed using standard tools.
Many new cars come with roadside assistance for a limited amount of time. If you think you already have a roadside assistance plan, check your car manual to see if it is included.
Another way to find out if you have roadside assistance is to contact your car insurance agency. They can help you find the cheapest way to get help with a flat tire.
Do You Know What to Do if You Get a Flat Tire?
Flat tires can be stressful if you are not sure what to do if you get a flat tire. If you think that your tire is going flat, the best things to do are to check for warning signs, change the tire yourself, call family or friends, or get roadside assistance.
Are you in the Ventura, CA area and have a flat tire? If so, stop by our shop or contact us today to buy new tires.
