What to Do When You Get a Flat Tire on the Road

A flat on I-40 at rush hour is a safety situation first and a mechanical one second. Handle it in that order.

Step 1: Get somewhere safe

Ease off the accelerator, keep a firm grip on the wheel, signal, and move to the right shoulder or the next exit or parking lot. Do not brake hard. A ruined tire is far cheaper than a collision.

Step 2: Make yourself visible

• Turn on hazard lights immediately
• Stop as far from traffic as the shoulder allows
• Place a reflective triangle behind the vehicle if you have one
• Exit on the side away from traffic when possible

Step 3: Assess honestly

If the vehicle is on a narrow shoulder, on a curve, in the rain, or on soft ground, do not change the tire yourself. Those are the conditions where roadside changes go wrong.

Step 4: Decide between spare and service

A temporary spare is speed- and distance-limited. If you have a safe place to wait, mobile flat tire repair or replacement at your location often makes more sense than driving on a donut across the Triangle.

What Factors Affect This Service?

• Vehicle type and tire size
• Whether the tire can be repaired or must be replaced
• Where the vehicle is located and whether the site is safe
• Equipment required for the wheel and tire
• Condition of the tire, wheel and vehicle