Prepare for a Flat Tire Before it Happens: Tips From North Carolina Toyota

Oct 2, 2012

Flat tires don’t happen often, but the vast majority of drivers will have to deal with a flat tire at some point in their lives. North Carolina Toyota wants drivers to stay prepared so they can handle the situation safely and efficiently.

Make Sure You Have a Good Spare

A good spare can get you out of dangerous situations quickly. Instead of waiting on the side of a busy highway for hours, you can switch your flat tire with the spare and be on your way.

A spare tire only works, though, when it’s properly inflated. A lot of people never think to check their spare tires. Then they find out that the spares are totally flat when they put them on their cars. That’s not going to help the situation at all.

Check your spare tire’s air pressure as often as you check the tires on your car. That way, you know you have a reliable backup when you need it. Of course, you also need to learn how to replace the tires safely.

Have Reliable Roadside Assistance

Even with the right tools, it’s often very difficult to loosen the bolts that hold your tires in place. That’s especially true since most tire dealers use hydraulic tools that make the bolts extremely tight.

Reliable roadside assistance can get you out of a jam when you can’t replace the tire on your own. They should have hydraulic tools, or enough muscle power, to get the tires off quickly. Ask your dealership, insurance company, and third-party groups about roadside assistance plans that match your budget and needs.