Don’t Let a Flat Tire Leave You Deflated: 5 Tips To Prevent a Flat and How To Change One Yourself

Nothing deflates your day quite like a flat tire as you flap, flap, flap to the side of the road to inspect the damage.

U.S. drivers experience an estimated 220 million flat tires annually, according to Nick Chabarria, a spokesperson for AAA. A flat tire can also cause loss of vehicle control, leading to a crash with another car, highway divider or fixed object. Flat tire collisions can also be deadly. In 2023, flat tires or blowouts caused 646 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Even though flat tires are common, you can take steps to prepare for or prevent a flat. Follow the tips below to learn how to prevent a flat tire, what to do if you get a flat on the road and how to change the tire if you must.

Key Takeaways

• Underinflation and worn tread are top causes of a flat tire.
• Driving on a flat tire can damage the rim and other tire and wheel components.
• Pulled over with a flat? Place hazard warning devices around the car for safety while waiting for help.

5 Common Causes of a Flat Tire

Maintenance is key to preventing a flat tire. Below are five conditions that can lead to a flat.

1. Underinflation

An underinflated tire builds up heat to create friction and tread wear that can lead to a flat. To avoid underinflation, check your tire pressure at least monthly. Use a tire pressure gauge when the car hasn’t been driven for three hours or longer. A sticker inside the door beside the driver’s seat or at the rear end of the driver’s door displays the manufacturer’s recommended PSI.

2. Worn Tread

Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or as noted in your owner’s manual. Tires should have at least 2/32 of an inch of tread. You can check your tread by placing a penny with Lincoln’s head upside down into the tread. If the top of his head is visible, the tread is too worn. You can also check treadwear indicators, which are raised markings in the tire that indicate when the tread is worn down.

3. Punctures and Tears

If possible, avoid driving through construction areas that may contain loose nails, spikes, glass shards and other sharp objects. Check regularly for punctures, cuts, bulges and irregular treadwear.

4. Mismatched Rims and Tires

Use only rim and tire combinations approved by your vehicle manufacturer. Consult your owner’s manual to avoid mismatches.

5. Nonfunctional Tire Pressure Sensor Monitor

New tires have a tire pressure monitor system that displays a dashboard warning showing which tires need air. The symbol may flash or stay on when the tire pressure sensor monitor isn’t working and must be replaced.

Can I Drive on a Flat Tire?

Never drive on a flat tire. You’ll have less control and you could damage the tire, rim, alignment or suspension. Pull over and wait for roadside assistance.

After You Pull Over, Practice Roadside Safety

If you’re waiting for roadside assistance or must change the tire yourself, pull off to a safe space on the right, away from traffic. Then take these steps:

1. Turn on hazard lights.
2. Place a hazard triangle or flares on the road shoulder of traffic lane about ten feet from the vehicle on the side of passing traffic. Place another warning device approximately 100 feet in front and a third 100 feet behind the vehicle.
3. Stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on while you wait for help to avoid being struck by an oncoming car.
4. Hang a colorful cloth from your car window to alert oncoming drivers.

How To Change a Flat Tire

To get things rolling during an emergency, you’ll want to keep a flat-tire kit in your vehicle so you have the right tools for the job. Your kit should contain:

• Car jack and ground mat for stability
• Lug wrench
• Spare tire
• Vehicle owner’s manual
• A properly inflated spare tire (typically 60 PSI for a temporary spare)
• Bracing material, such as bricks, for the tires that don’t need changed
• Warning triangles or flares
• A brightly colored cloth to hang on the car

With your kit ready, follow these steps:

1. Park your vehicle out of traffic on a safe, flat area. Turn on hazard lights and place flares or triangles to warn oncoming drivers.
2. Brace a tire that won’t be lifted by the jack in the front and back with a brick or another heavy object. This helps prevent rolling.
3. Check your owner’s manual for jack and spare tire location.
4. Position the jack as instructed in the owner’s manual and jack up the car, but not entirely. Tires should still put pressure on the ground.
5. Take off hubcaps with a crowbar to reveal lug nuts attaching the tire.
6. Remove the lug nuts by going counterclockwise with the lug wrench.
7. Make sure the jack is stable, then jack the car higher so you can pull off the tire.
8. Attach the spare tire and securely tighten (clockwise) the lug nuts.
9. Lower the car.
10. Once you drive a few miles, stop and check to ensure the lug nuts remain tight.

Coverage for the Road Ahead

RESCUE 1-800®, The Hartford’s roadside assistance program, offers 24/7 nationwide emergency roadside assistance benefits to help make difficult situations less stressful. Towing services, locksmith services, flat-fire services and more are available to you through AARP® Auto Insurance from The Hartford1 as long as you have comprehensive coverage for your vehicle. To learn more and extend your protection, call The Hartford at 800-423-6789 today.