Dealing with a Flat Tire at Night: Essential Steps

Discover what to do if your tire goes flat while driving in the dark. Experiencing a flat tire is never a pleasant situation, especially when visibility is limited. But fret not! This article outlines various options and guides you through the process step by step, including insights from tire repair specialist Howard Fleischmann.

Stay calm and activate your hazard lights. The moment you suspect a tire issue, engage your hazard lights. Most vehicles have a button with a red triangle on the central console to activate hazards.

• This alerts other drivers and signals your need for space.

Reduce speed promptly. Continuing to drive on a flat tire poses risks to your vehicle, potentially causing rim or sidewall damage, which can be costly. Moreover, handling control diminishes with three tires, so slow down cautiously while seeking a safe location to stop.

• Driving on three tires also heightens the risk of another blowout, so exercise caution.

Find a completely safe stopping point. In the darkness, seek a well-lit area away from traffic paths. While a bright-colored car aids visibility, relying solely on others' alertness is unwise. Following tire expert Howard Fleischmann's advice, prioritize safety.

• Opt for a tire shop, mechanic, gas station, or well-lit parking lot for refuge. Otherwise, locate a parking spot. If the flat occurs on the driver's side and you plan to change the tire, avoid roadside parking, which poses hazards.
• Note: Avoid stopping on highways at night. Proceed slowly to the next exit, unless a multi-lane shoulder or designated stop area is available. Adequate lighting is crucial for DIY tire changes.

Ask for assistance from a handy friend or roadside aid if needed. If you have a mechanically inclined friend or access to roadside assistance, reach out for help. Your insurance might cover this service, so check your insurance card for a roadside assistance number.

• You can also subscribe to services like OnStar or AAA for roadside assistance.
• Some major cities offer free roadside assistance, so search online for assistance departments in cities like New York, San Antonio, or Chicago.
• Tire expert Howard Fleischmann advises against driving on a flat tire as it can cause further damage.

No, you can postpone the tire change until tomorrow if legally parked. Find a legal parking spot to avoid towing. If needed, drive a bit further to ensure safe and legal parking. Park the car, turn off the engine, and return the next day to replace the tire.

• If parking at a business, leave a note under their door to inform them.
• Write a brief note explaining the situation if leaving a sign in the car. Alternatively, leave a plastic bag, towel, or T-shirt on the dashboard to signal the car isn't abandoned.

Retrieve the jack and spare from the trunk. Open the trunk and locate the spare tire kit under the carpeted floor. Gather the spare tire, jack, and tire iron, and place them next to the flat tire.

• While changing a tire at night isn't complex, adequate lighting is necessary. Use a flashlight or your phone's flashlight feature.
• If you lack a full spare, jack, and tire iron, changing the tire isn't possible.
• Usually, the tire iron doubles as the tool to raise the jack.

Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Utilize the tire iron to loosen all the lug nuts securing your flat tire. These nuts may be tightly fastened, so apply some pressure. Once loosened, don't remove them entirely, just enough to turn them by hand.

• If necessary, remove the hub cap to access the lug nuts.

Elevate your vehicle using the jack. Locate the metal frame beneath the nearest door, matching it with the jack's top opening. Position the jack and start raising the vehicle until the flat tire is sufficiently off the ground for the spare to be installed.

• Expect some creaking as the vehicle lifts; it's normal.
• Use the tire iron to raise the spring in the jack, if applicable.
• Refer to the manual if unsure about the jack's placement.

Detach the lug nuts and remove the flat tire. Unscrew all the lug nuts by hand and set them aside. Carefully lift the flat tire and remove it from the axle, paying attention to where you place the lug nuts in the dark.

• Place the flat tire in your trunk or back seat for later repair by a mechanic.

Mount the spare tire and tighten the lug nuts. Position the spare tire onto the bolts and hand-screw the lug nuts. Tighten them until the tire sits flush against the axle, ensuring not to fully tighten them while the tire is elevated.

• Identify the inside and outside of the spare tire, with the air valve on the outside.

Lower the vehicle, remove the jack, and secure the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle using the jack by turning it counterclockwise. Once on the ground, remove the jack and tighten the lug nuts firmly using the tire iron.

• Remember the 50/50 rule: drive at no more than 50 mph (80 km/h) for 50 miles (80 km) on a spare tire.

Maintain proper tire pressure and stay vigilant while driving. The likelihood of getting a flat tire depends largely on tire quality and road conditions. Invest in high-quality tires and regularly check their pressure to ensure they are neither under- nor over-inflated. Stay alert to potential hazards on the road, such as potholes and debris.

• Areas with construction, rough roads, and gravel paths pose higher risks of tire damage.
• Have your tires inspected annually by a professional to detect any issues early.
• Limit driving on spare tires to under 50 miles (80 km) and speeds below 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) to avoid potential blowouts.