Questions? Call 941-312-5704 // Text 941-210-1337// Veteran Owned

How To Stay Safe When Changing a Flat Tire On a Busy Road

by John Eastwoodon January 05, 2023

How To Stay Safe When Changing a Flat Tire On a Busy Road

Getting top-notch tires and rims for your vehicle should be something you view as a priority. Not only do great tires and rims add appeal to your vehicle, they can also make it ride smoother. The more you drive on the same tires, the harder it will be to keep them in good condition.

The average motorist drives around 17,000 miles every year. Traveling long distances can put a lot of strain on your tires. Roadside emergencies involving flat tires are far more common than most people realize. Here is what you need to keep in mind when trying to change a damaged tire on a busy road.

Start By Engaging Your Parking Brake

Once you feel the presence of a flat tire when driving, you need to pull over immediately. Regardless of how big your tire is, driving on it while flat can result in significant damage to your rims. Before you exit your vehicle to start the process of changing a flat tire, you need to engage your parking brake. Doing this can help to enhance the stabilization of your vehicle.

By enhancing vehicle stabilization with the help of your parking brake, you can keep your vehicle from rolling backward.

Choose the Right Place To Stop

In the heat of the moment, it is easy to make bad decisions. Instead of allowing the stress of having a flat tire to get in the way of good decision-making, you need to make sure all of your bases are covered. One of the main things you need to focus on is pulling into a safe place to change your tire. Trying to change a tire on an offramp or in the median can be extremely dangerous.

This is why you need to find a gas station or rest area to pull into. These areas are away from traffic and usually feature great lighting. With sufficient light, you can make quick work of changing your flat tire.

Turn On Your Hazard Lights

If you’re unable to make it to a spot off the road to change your tire, you need to alert other motorists to your presence. The best way to do this is by engaging the hazard lights on your vehicle. These lights will make the blinkers on the front and back of your vehicle to flash.

This constant flashing is extremely noticeable. Alerting other motorists to your presence can help you avoid getting hit while changing a tire.

Make Sure Your Lug Nuts Are Tight

Once you’ve replaced the damaged tire, you need to focus on lug nut tightness. Failing to torque down on your lug nuts can result in unsafe driving conditions. Double and triple checking your lug nuts to ensure they’re tight is important. Taking the time to check this important factor can help you avoid disasters down the road.

Changing a tire safely will be much easier if you follow the tips above.

BACK TO TOP