Sometimes the worst thing that can happen to you is a mishap on the road. If you notice your vehicle start to shimmy and shake and there is a slight up and down motion to your car. Pull over because you have a flat tire!
The last thing you want to do is drive on a flat. It can and will do a lot of damage to your vehicle. Wheels are not designed to take the weight of your car. If you drive on a flat tire, you risk adding the cost of a wheel to the cost of tire repair. Don't drive any longer than you have to, just get of traffic and park in the most level place you can find.
After you have driven your vehicle safely out of the flow of traffic you should examine the affected tire. Just a tiny hole can cause a tire to lose air and go flat. The best way to find tiny holes is to use water and soap. The bubbles will be a roadmap and show you wear the hole is. I always keep a small bar of hotel soap in my glove compartment; just make sure it is sealed well, so it doesn't melt!
The next step to looking at a flat tire is to examine the tread for cracks or breaks. Sometimes tires just give out because they are worn down. If your tire has experienced a major crack or blowout your only solution is professional tire repair or a new set of tires.
The best thing to do is avoid flat tires altogether. You should check your tires often. Examine your tire pressure, tread, and side walls for excessive wear and foreign objects on a regular basis. It is more convenient to find the issue before a flat so you can have your tire repaired before getting stuck on the side of the road.
A small hole can easily be fixed with a plug and then patched at your local auto shop. Having a plug kit, jack, fix a flat, and a spare tire is always a good idea. Without at least some of these tools, you will have to call for help if you get a flat tire.
At 106 St. Tire & Wheel we offer quality tire repairs and would be glad to help you get your tire fixed properly. The next time you get a flat remembers all these tips to minimize the damage to your wheels and hopefully catch that flat before you get stuck on the roadside.