In some point in your life you probably have been caught off guard with a flat tire, and if not, there is a good chance that you will. Before this happens to you, you will want to know what to do to fix the problem and to stay safe. Here we will discuss the three things that will help you in this crisis. First you will want to be prepared, next you need to get off the road, and finally you will want to make yourself and your car visible for safety reasons. We will go over these points so you will know what to do if this does happen to you.
Make sure you are prepared
You won’t be able to keep your tires from going flat but you can be aware of the potential problems with your tires. Make sure you do a visible check on all four tires in the morning before you start your car. Noticing a tire that is low on air can prevent a blown tire later. Also you will want some of the following items in your car, and make sure you keep these items together so you won’t have to go hunting for them later when you need them. These items include:
Car owner’s manual (usually kept in glove box)
Spare tire
Flashlight
Crowbar
Safety triangles
Cross-shaft lug wrench
Make sure you get off the road
When you get a flat tire on the highway, the safest thing to do is put on your flashers, decrease your speed and drive in the slow lane to the next available exit. Most of the populated cities allow the shoulder lane to be used as a traffic lane during rush hour traffic and this isn’t the safest place to stop your car. Make sure that you park on a flat surface and turn the engine off and then firmly engage the parking brake.
Make yourself and your car visible
To make sure that other motorists see you and are aware that you are having car trouble, you want to make yourself and your car visible. Place the safety triangles at least 200 feet from your car in the same direction of traffic. Next the best thing to do is to pop open your car hood and turn on the emergency flashers. This way it will be easier for other motorist to see you and to pass by carefully. It will also be easier for help to find you.
Be prepared by having the above items in your car. Make sure that you find a safe place to park your car by getting off the road, and to make yourself and your car visible. These three things are important to keep yourself safe and will further improve your chance for getting the help you need when you get a flat tire.
Sources: Do-It-Yourself Guide to Car Safety and Maintenance
