How To Tell When You Have A Flat Tire

Everyone worries about getting a flat tire. Sometimes it’s inevitable, and there’s no doubt it can be a scary experience when it happens on the road, but if you’re prepared you can handle it like a pro. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered some information so you know how to tell when you have a flat tire and and the ways to deal with it.

Identifying a flat tire may seem like a no-brainer, but you may be surprised to learn it’s sometimes mistaken as another issue: under-inflation. 

Flat tires and under-inflated tires differ by one main aspect. While under-inflated tires can be fixed by increasing the tire pressure, flat tires require professional repair or replacement if the damage is too severe. Most flat tires are caused by rough road conditions or foreign objects on the road, which result in holes or cuts in the tire.  Some signs of a flat tire can be thumping sounds and vibrations.

When faced with this situation while driving, there are a few things you should do to maintain safety. First, keep your grip and control of the wheel. If the flat tire is one of the front ones, steering may be more difficult, but it is important to remain calm and in control. It is also important that you don’t slam on brakes since that could lead to another dangerous situation like a wreck. Instead, let your car slow down gradually while you pull over and turn on your emergency signals and pull over to a shoulder.

Next, evaluate the situation to decide on the best course of action. You might have access to spare tire but no experience on how to change one, or you may not be parked in a safe and quiet enough area for some DIY tire fixes. In that case, the best option is reach out to a roadside assistance service or a local towing company that can quickly dispatch help.

Once you have your tire evaluated by an expert, the damage may be repairable with a plug or a patch, or you may need to replace your tire. Make sure to check whether your tires come with a warranty that covers road hazards repairs or flat-tire change assistance so your wallet doesn’t take a hit!

Flat tires can be stressful, but with a little knowledge and a clear plan of action, you should be able to handle the situation with confidence and and drive with peace of mind.