News

Getting a flat tire can be a frustrating experience. But if it happens, knowing the right steps to take is crucial for your safety and the well-being of your vehicle. Our team at Tires To You South Austin walks you through the essential steps to take when you have a flat tire while you’re parked and while you’re driving, empowering you to handle flat tires with confidence.

 

Steps for Dealing with a Flat Tire While Parked

Here's what you should do if you discover a flat tire while your car is parked:

 

1. Examine the Tire

Run your hands over both the front and back of the tire, checking for any foreign objects like nails or staples embedded in the tread or sidewall. If nothing is visible, your tire may simply need more air.

 

2. Install Your Spare Tire

Tire manufacturers advise replacing a flat or damaged tire with a spare and promptly visiting a tire service center. 

 

Steps for Dealing with a Flat Tire While Driving

If you don’t hear your tire going flat, you’re going to feel it. When you have a flat tire and you’re driving, it will feel like your vehicle is being pulled to the side of the flat tire, making it difficult to accelerate. Here’s what to do if you get a flat tire while you’re driving.

 

1. Pull Over Safely

Gently apply increasing pressure to the brakes to maintain control. Pull over to the edge of the road, ideally in a shoulder area with extra space. Use safety cones, if available, to warn other drivers.

 

2. Install Your Spare Tire

Do not continue driving on a flat tire. Replace it with your spare tire by following the instructions in your driver’s manual. Depending on the cause of the flat, tire technicians may be able to repair it by patching and plugging. Otherwise, the tire will likely need a replacement. 

 

Reasons to Avoid Driving on a Flat Tire

 

Rim Damage

Driving on a completely flat tire means you're essentially driving on your rims, risking bending and damaging them.

 

Irreversible Tire Damage

Insufficient air in the tire, necessary to support your vehicle's weight, can lead to internal structural damage, causing irreparable harm to the tire's material. The intense heat buildup inside the tire triggers disintegration, rendering the tire's structure unrepairable. Meanwhile, the external issue could have been fixable.

 

Risk of Injuries

Tire failure can result in unsafe handling and even loss of vehicle control. Damage to brake lines or suspension components can also cause an unsteady vehicle, potentially leading to accidents.

 

Vehicle Damage

Driving on a severely deteriorated flat tire for an extended period of time can result in considerable damage to your vehicle. As the tire disintegrates and detaches from the rims, essential components like brake lines, rotors, fenders, and suspension parts are at risk of significant damage.

 

Request a Quote on Tire Repair Services in South Austin Today!

If you’re dealing with a flat tire, visit our tire store in South Austin for professional tire repair services with our expert technicians. 

For more information or to request a quote, contact our team at Tires To You South Austin today!