A common reason that tow truck companies are called to job sites is because of tire blowouts, but this doesn’t have to be inevitable. There are several things you can do to prepare for tire damage and address it safely when it does happen. You will want to make sure to keep an eye on the condition of all four tires, have the equipment you need to change a tire if you need to, and know what to do if you get a blowout.
Avoiding Blowouts
First, you will want to make sure that you are constantly keeping an eye on your tire pressure. You will want to make sure that it isn’t too high or too low. When it comes to checking tire pressure, every tire has a different preferred pressure, and almost every gas station will have an air pump that will check tire pressure for free. If a tire’s air is too low, it can pop due to lack of pressure and the fact that items can cause tears more easily if it has low pressure. Likewise, a tire can pop due to high pressure from simply bursting due to too much air. You can use either a gas station pump or a hand pump to adjust your tires’ air levels.
You also want to make sure that you are checking your treads and replacing the tires if they are getting too worn.
Preparing for Blowouts
When it comes to preparing for a flat tire, while a pump and a can of “fix-a-flat” might be a good idea to have just in case, you will also want to make sure that you have a jack and everything needed to change a tire. If you do not have a spare, you will need to buy a tire and an extra set of rims that will stay with the spare. Otherwise, when you change out your tire, you will have to visit a tire shop before you can put it on.
Most of the time, these tools will come with your car. If they do not, you can normally buy them at an auto parts store. See your user manual to make sure that you have the tools required.
Dealing with Blowouts
Even if you have been doing all of the above, it’s still possible to have an unexpected blowout. If you are driving along the highway and get a flat, you will want to pull over somewhere you can safely change the tire. This means not pulling over on the left side of the road on the highway, which will leave you stuck against the barrier. It is normally safe to drive a couple hundred feet to flat ground and a place that you can safely stand outside of your vehicle.
Your first concern is to make sure that you are in a safe location before stepping out of your vehicle. If you cannot safely change your tire, you will want to make sure that you instead call for roadside assistance from a professional. The same recommendations apply If you are not on level ground and cannot move your vehicle. Make sure your car is properly jacked and blocked via the user manual to make sure it is done safely.
Hopefully now you will be a little more prepared to deal with any flat tires and know how to deal with the situation next time you have a tire blowout.
