What To Do If You Get A Flat On The Highway

There are few things that are more stressful and scary than having a car problem on the highway. Other cars are travelling past at high speed, which may make you feel unsafe. If you deal with the flat in the wrong way, then it can be a dangerous situation. If you do get a flat on the highway, safety should be your primary concern. Too many people put their car's condition first and, as a result, make unsafe decisions. Here are a few tips to keep you safe and to get you back on the road quickly.

Take your time. It's not going to hurt your car to drive with a flat for a few minutes. There's no need to dart to the side of the road or to stop in the middle of traffic. Also, when you do get to the side of the road, make sure you're stopping at a safe location. The best choice would be at an exit that has gas stations or restaurants. That way, you can wait for help in a building or you can change your tire in a parking lot. If an exit isn't available, look for a bridge underpass. There you can sit on the underpass, far away from the high-speed traffic on the highway.

Notify others that you need help. As soon as you realize you have a flat, put your flashing hazards on. This will notify other drivers that you're having issues and that you will be slowing down or pulling over. Most drivers will give you the space that you need. When you pull over, put a white towel or sheet in the window or pop your hood and leave it open. This will signal to others that you need assistance. A good Samaritan may stop and help. If a highway patrol officer spots you, they will likely also stop and either help you change the tire or call for someone to help.

Don't try and change it yourself unless you're absolutely sure how to do it. The only thing worse than driving on a flat tire is driving on a spare that wasn't put on correctly. It could cause steering problems or even come off while you're driving. Similarly, if you don't jack the car properly, it could fall on your hands in the middle of the tire changing process. If you're on the side of the highway, it could be highly unsafe to try and change the tire while cars are speeding past. If you're even slightly unsure, then your best option is to call a roadside assistance service or a towing service and wait for them to arrive.

Most towing services can either help you change the tire or can tow you to a nearby auto shop. Contact a towing service, such as R & R Towing, the next time you're in need of assistance.