What to Do If a Car Has a Flat Tire on the Road?
3 Answers
How to handle a flat tire on the road: 1. Turn on the hazard lights, move the car to the roadside or emergency lane, park properly, turn off the engine, and engage the handbrake; 2. Place a triangular warning sign 150 meters behind the car and check the tools needed for changing the tire, including the jack, toolkit, and spare tire; 3. Replace with the spare tire. The steps for changing a tire are: 1. Use the lug wrench to loosen the screws on the tire. Loosen them diagonally one by one to prevent uneven force distribution that could deform the fasteners; 2. After loosening all the screws, use the jack to lift the car; 3. Align the spare tire with the wheel bolt holes. If changing the tire alone, use your foot to hold the spare tire in place to prevent displacement. When tightening the screws, still follow the diagonal method to avoid uneven force distribution. Once installed, remove the jack.
Last time I was driving long-distance, I suddenly had a tire blowout. My heart skipped a beat at that moment, but I quickly reminded myself not to panic. I slowly steered the car to the roadside safety zone and turned on the hazard lights to warn the vehicles behind. Before getting out of the car, I first checked the rearview mirror to see if there were any cars coming from behind. After confirming it was safe, I took out the tools, including the jack and spare tire, and spent over half an hour changing it. During the process, I also checked the tire pressure, remembering to loosen the nuts before lifting the car with the jack. After changing the spare tire, I quickly drove to a nearby repair shop. You shouldn't exceed 80 kilometers per hour when driving on a spare tire, or it could be unsafe. Regularly checking tire wear and pressure can greatly reduce the risk of a blowout. That experience taught me that staying calm is the most crucial thing. Causes of tire blowouts may include tire aging or potholes on the road. Developing a habit of monthly self-checks can help avoid a lot of trouble.
If I experience a flat tire while driving, my first reaction is to ensure my safety and avoid panicking. Immediately turn on the hazard warning lights, gradually brake, and pull over to a safe area away from traffic. Before exiting the vehicle, check the surroundings for safety. If I'm unfamiliar with changing a tire or feel there's too much traffic, I'll stay inside the car with the doors locked and call for roadside assistance or a tow truck service—common road assistance apps are quite handy. The spare tire is only a temporary solution; after installing it, drive slowly to a repair shop and avoid speeding. Learning how to change a tire through simple online videos is practical, but safety always comes first—reckless actions can easily lead to accidents. From a preventive standpoint, spending a few minutes each week to check tire pressure and wear, and avoiding long drives during hot summer periods can help prevent such incidents.
