5 things you should know before you get a flat tire
Flat tires aren’t typically something motorists concern themselves with until it’s too late. In order to ensure you’re handling the situation properly, it’s important to educate yourself on flat tires beforehand. Here are five things you should be aware of prior to actually getting a flat tire:
How do I know?
While some motorists worry that they won’t be able to tell when they have a flat tire, the signs should be fairly obvious. If you feel some sort of thumping followed be an immediate change in your steering and handling, there’s a good chance your tire is flat.
If you fear one of your tires is flat, turn on your emergency flashers and pull over to the side of the road as soon as possible.
Roadside assistance
If you know you’re not the type of person who would actually change a flat tire on their own, you better make sure you have reliable roadside assistance.
Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), Canadian Tire, and Costco all offer quality roadside assistance plans. You won’t have to worry about paying an arm and a leg either.
Make sure your spare is inflated
Most car owners are vigilant enough to carry a spare tire, but forget to check them routinely to ensure they’re properly inflated. As a result, by the time they actually need to use their spare, they discover it’s completely flat and unusable.
Whenever you check the pressure of your tires, you should always remember to check the spare as well.
Don’t buy a car without a spare
While ensuring your car has a spare likely isn’t the first thing on your mind when you’re in the process of purchasing a vehicle, it should always be included in your list of questions to the dealer.
You should also ask what tools are included along with the spare. If there’s anything important missing, you should make sure to purchase it yourself.
Some manufacturers no longer include a spare tire as a standard feature. If you don’t have a spare, it’s even more important that you check your tires regularly to ensure they’re in good shape.
Get run-flat tires
While run-flat tires are typically more expensive than rubber tires, you won’t have to worry about being stranded if you discover one of your tires are flat.
Run-flat tires allow you to drive a limited distance at a reduced speed if your tire is punctured. This could be a savior if you’re relatively close to home. You’ll obviously still need to get it changed, but it should be more comfortable getting it changed in your driveway compared to the middle of a busy highway.
One thing to note is that run-flat tires are more difficult to monitor their pressure, so it’s important to check them regularly.
Safe travels!