What Should You Do If You Experience a Flat Tire?
If you hear a bumping or thumping sound coming from your car, unfortunately, you may be dealing with a flat tire. When something like this happens, you should remain calm, activate your car’s emergency flasher, slow down, and pull off to the side of the road.
If possible, pull your vehicle into a parking lot or safely onto the right shoulder of the road as far as you can. Driving with a flat tire is extremely dangerous and can cause long-term damage to your care. It also puts you and other drivers at risk of an accident or collision.
When you experience a flat tire, exit the road until you can either replace the tire with a spare or get help from others.
How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?
The length of time you can drive a spare tire depends on the type of tire. There are a few options available including, full-size, donut, and run-flat varieties.
A matching full-size is the exact same as the other tires on your car.
Donut spare tires are narrow and compact, as they are designed to fit in the trunk of your car. They typically last about 50 to 70 miles and shouldn’t be driven at high speeds when using these tires.
Run-flat tires are stronger and more durable than other types of tires. If the tire gets punctured while you are driving, you can continue to drive safely for about 50 miles before your tires need to be replaced.
How Fast Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?
Generally, the fastest you should drive on a spare tire is below 50 mph. Although, some manufactures state their tires can travel greater than 50 mph. However, doing so would increase the risk of a blowout, especially if the spare tire has been previously used.
For safe measures, you should keep your car’s speed under 50 mph until you can replace your spare tire.
Everything You Need to Know About Spare Tires
You can experience a flat tire at any time, so it is crucial to have a spare tire that you can use as needed. Here are a few important tips you should know about spare tires:
1. Spare Tires Must Be Maintained
While it’s important to have your car’s tires periodically maintained, you also need to evaluate the condition of your spare tire regularly. To do so, you should check the pressure of your car’s spare tire every time you have your vehicle tires inspected and rotated. This will ensure your spare tire will always be ready to use when a flat tire occurs.
2. Spare Tires Sometimes Get Recalled
Tire manufacturers sometimes recall their tires. You should keep an eye out for potential recalls. Recalls may be issued on all types of tires, even spare tires. You can use the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association “Tire Recall Lookup” tool to track tire recalls online.
3. Spare Tires May Need to Be Replaced
A spare tire may need to be replaced, even if you have never used it. In fact, a car’s spare tire should be replaced approximately every eight years. Your car’s manual can provide details about how frequently you should replace your vehicle’s spare tire.
4. Spare Tires May Activate Your Car’s Warning Lights
When you replace a spare tire on your car and start driving, your vehicle may activate the brake and anti-lock braking system warning lights on your vehicle’s instrument panel. This can occur if a spare tire rotates faster than the other tires on your car. If this happens while you are driving, don’t panic. Instead, continue to drive safely, reach your destination, and replace your spare tire with a long-lasting solution.
5. Spare Tires Must Be Changed Properly
If you are unsure about how to replace a flat tire with a spare, there is no need to take a chance. If you make a mistake when changing a flat tire and try to drive your car with an improperly installed spare tire, you could put yourself and others in danger. If you are struggling to change a flat tire, reach out to a family member or a friend for help. You can also contact roadside assistance if it is available through your insurance company or get in touch with a tow company for support.
As you know, a spare tire is very crucial, and you should always keep one in your car in case of an emergency. That way, if you experience a flat tire, you can use your spare tire to help you get where you want to go. Jody’s Automotive Repair and Lube Shop in Jonesville, NC, and Elkin, NC, is here to assist you with your auto services needs. Contact us to take care of all your vehicle needs, including replacing your flat tire.