Every driver can expect to experience a few flat tires in their lifetime. There are 220 million punctures annually in the US alone, about one every seven seconds. Punctures usually come out of the blue and surprise us, but if you ever get a puncture in or around Lanham, MD, it doesn’t have to ruin your day. Follow the guidance below, and you should be safely back on the road in no time.
What To Do if You Get a Flat Tire in Lanham, MD
Stay Calm and Pull Over
When one of your tires blows out, it’s crucial to react calmly. Don’t slam on the brakes, which might cause a skid or rear-end collision.
Gradually slow down and get your car safely off the road. Only drive as far as it takes to reach a safe spot away from traffic on level ground.
The Dangers of Driving With a Puncture
A punctured tire greatly disrupts a vehicle’s handling. Continuing to drive puts you at risk of an accident and irreparably damages the tire, and causes serious damage to your wheels, suspension, and brakes.
Only continue driving if you have special tires designed to keep working safely for up to 50 miles, even with a puncture. These run-flat types of tires are becoming increasingly common with modern cars.
Option One: Call Roadside Assistance
Once safely pulled over, it’s time to fix the problem. Hopefully, you’ve planned ahead with a roadside assistance package through your insurance policy.
Roadside assistance might also be included in your vehicle or tire warranty. Once you’ve called them, wait in a safe area for help to arrive.
Option Two: Repair the Tire Yourself
If you don’t have roadside assistance (or you feel like trying your hand at a little DIY), you can attempt to repair a minor puncture with tire sealant and an air pump. Some modern cars come equipped with a tire inflation kit instead of a spare tire to save space.
These repair kits are only usually suited to very small punctures within the tire treads. The kits work first by pumping sealant into the tire and then pumping in compressed air, enabling you to reach your nearest dealership safely.
Option Three: Replace the Tire Yourself
If you have a spare tire, you can change it yourself or ask a friend, family member, or roadside mechanic to help. Before you begin, turn your car’s hazard lights on and apply the parking brake. Use your tire iron on the wheel with the puncture to loosen the lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise.
Then place the jack under the strong area of the frame beside the punctured tire. Make sure the jack is perfectly vertical, then raise your car until the tire leaves the ground. Remove the lug nuts and wheel, then slide the new wheel on. Only tighten the lug nuts by hand, lower the car, remove the jack, and use your tire iron to finish tightening the nuts.
If you need any advice on how to deal with a puncture, contact DARCARS Ford of Lanham today. We’re a local dealership proudly servicing the region’s drivers with great cars, excellent service, and quality tires.
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