This can hit you any time of the day regardless of whether you are on your way to drop your kids off to school, going on a road trip over the weekend, or in the middle of the night when you are on your way back after having encountered some form of trouble. When you have a flat tire, you are likely to think of calling a tow truck but you will do well to fix a flat tire on your own when there is nobody to assist.

A handful of safety precaution, a little confidence, and the right tools, however, and you can fix or switch that tire and be on the road again in minutes without any delays, or even better, without any extra expenses. This guide explores DIY tips to fix flat tire without Towing Services truck;s help.

Common Causes of Flat Tires

Flat tires may occur due to different reasons. These are some of the possible causes:

• Tires by Sharp Objects: The nails, screws, or other road debris can easily puncture your tire either resulting in slow leak or the total flat.
• Under-inflated tires: poor tire pressure may result in uneven tire wear, overheating, and also, an increased possibility of pierces or blows out.
• Overloading Your Car: Driving a car that has too much weight creates excess pressure on your tires causing them to wear out, or get damaged.
• Tires: As tires get older they wear out. With age they get weaker and therefore they are more vulnerable to wear and tear.
• Temperature changes: too much cold or heat also influences gaining pressure on tire, thus, creating an opportunity towards a flat.
• Poor Alignment or Suspension: There will be poor alignment which will result in uneven wear of tires.
• Potholes and Rough roads: Potholes and rough surfaces have the ability to puncture the tires or even cause blow-ups.

Precautions For Repair a Flat Tire

Before you can begin, you will want to make sure you have the right tools ready. Having these basics in your trunk will make sure you’re prepared when the flat tire does occur.

You may be short on one or two pieces, but you will be long on self-sufficiency wherever you are on the road.” A short list of road trip essentials: Before taking your car out on the road, take a walk around it.

Prioritize Safety Before Fixing a Flat

Changing a tire on the side of the road can be dangerous, particularly if you’re on the shoulder near traffic or during inclement weather. Don’t forget that your life and the lives of your passengers are the most important things.

Move toward a Safe Place

When you suspect that your tire has lost air, perhaps you hear a thumping sound or feel the car pulling to one side, slow the car down gradually. Don’t slam on the brakes. Find a flat, stable area not in the path of moving traffic, such as a wide shoulder, a parking area, or a rest stop. Don’t stop on soft ground, that will make jacking the car up unsafe.

Use Hazard Lights and Reflectors

Switch on your hazard warning lights to warn other drivers. If you have reflective triangles or road flares, put them 10-15 feet behind your vehicle to help others see you in the dark or in fog.

Why the Parking Brake Matters

When motionless, engage the parking brake forcefully. This keeps your vehicle from rolling and makes work easier.

Ultimate Steps to Fix a Flat Tire by Yourself

Once you finish your safety precautions and your tools are ready to go, you can replace or repair your flat tire.

Step 1. Loosen the Lug Nuts

Before raising the car, you will first need to loosen the lug nuts with your wrench. Turn them counterclockwise. You might work the corks out with your foot or body weight. Don’t take the nuts off completely yet, just loosen it enough that you will be able to unscrew it by hand later.

Tip: The wrench should be held as still as possible and firm pressure should be applied very slowly, attempting to prevent slipping.

Step 2. Safely Lifting Your Car with a Jack

Find the recommended jack point for your vehicle (typically near one of the wheels, below the frame, consult your owner’s manual. Place the jack firmly, then start lifting the car so the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground. Never place any extremities under the car when it’s raised.

Step 3. Removing the Flat Tire with Ease

Continue to unthread the loosened lug nuts all the way, then carefully remove the flat tire straight off the wheel hub. Lay it flat on the ground close by so it doesn’t roll anywhere.

Step 4. Mount the Spare or Use a Repair Kit

Using a spare:

Align the spare tire to the lug bolts and push it onto the hub until flush.

Using a repair kit:

If you don’t have a spare but do have a repair kit. Give close attention to the instructions:

• On plug kits, you insert the plug into the hole, using the tools that come with the kit.
• For sealant cans, screw the nozzle onto your valve stem, apply sealant then fill your tire to its recommended pressure.

Sealant and plugs are temporary solutions and not for traveling long distances.

Step 5. Tighten the Lug Nuts

Hand-thread the lug nuts to start. and, using your wrench, tighten them in a star or crisscross pattern. This will make sure the wheel sits firmly and properly.

Step 6. Lower the Vehicle and Recheck

Rotate the jack handle slightly to set your vehicle down on the ground again. When the car is on the tire, retighten each lug nut as tightly as possible in the same star pattern. Check and inflate the spare or repaired tire using your tire pressure gauge.

Time to Call Professional Roadside Assistance 

Though repairing a flat on your own is an excellent ability, it is not always the right or even possible thing to do:

• You either blow out the tire or have four flats.
• You have no spare tire or repair kit.
• You’re cooped up in dangerous situations, like heavy rain or snow, high-traffic roads with no shoulder, and darkness.

If in doubt, always stay on the side of precaution and call a reputable Roadside Service like All 4 One Transportation for assistance.

Maintenance Tips to Prevent Tire Issues

Flat tires aren’t entirely preventable, but you can reduce your risk with a few maintenance tips:

• Check tire pressure monthly: Low or underinflated tires Experience more wear and at risk for damage.
• Avoid potholes and debris: Drive defensively to avoid hazards when applicable.
• Rotate your tires whenever you go in for service, around 5,000–7,000 miles: This provides even wear and extends tire life.
• Store a full flat tire kit in your auto: Add a flashlight, gloves, tire gauge and a reflective vest.

A little preparation can save a lot of stress that can result from a flat tire.

Conclusion

You don’t have to sit and wait for a tow truck when your tire’s flat. With the proper tools and a little know-how, you can change or repair your tire in no time and save the cost of a tow truck. Don’t forget: play it safe, don’t feel rushed, and if you can’t do it safely yourself, help is just a phone call away.

Flat tire, locked up in car, out of gas, dead battery, or need a tow, just contact us at Burnham Towing for 24/7 hours. Stay prepared and stay safe on the road.

FAQs

Q1: How far can I drive on a donut?

Donut spare tires are for temporary use only. Drive on it sparingly, not more than 50 miles and not faster than 50 mph, until you can change it to a full-size tire.

Q2: Can I use Fix-A-Flat on a tire that has a sidewall puncture?

No, fix a flat and other sealants only work on small punctures in the tire. A professional repair job is needed on the sidewall damage, or else replace it.

Q3: What if my tire blows on a busy freeway at night?

Turn on your hazard lights, pull over to the safest space you can find as far from traffic as is feasible and call roadside assistance if you’re feeling unsafe. Never try to replace a tire where cars are zipping by you.