You’re at home or work and you walk out to your car. You realize that it looks a little odd – a little saggy in one corner. You walk over and realize that your front tire is flat. Or even worse, you’re driving and there is a sudden, sharp pull to the right and the right front of the car is sagging. The steering wheel feels very heavy and shaky. You realize that this is what a blown-out tire must feel like. You safely edge over to the side of the road, but what now?
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Safety First!
Tips for when broken down near or in traffic lanes
Make sure other drivers see you and move over!
Watching for traffic and being seen is vital to your safety. Be sure to have and wear safety vests if you are out of your car. Position warning reflectors, road flares, flashing warning lights or orange cones to warn traffic to move over.
Grandpa TJ: It has been my experience that during daylight hours, people will see and react faster to orange road cones than most any other signaling device! Even the small ones sold as Soccer Training Cones (10 for $14).
I believe it is because they are a familiar sight to drivers when they are around road construction. They know that cones mean that they need to move over.
What are your choices? Pros and Cons
Pros: Easy to do. Most tow companies provide roadside tire changing service.
Cons: It may take a long while for it to arrive, especially if it is late at night. Unless you have insurance that covers repairs like changing flats, it will be expensive! If you don’t have the spare tire, you may still be facing being towed. Not a good choice if you are on a tight budget.
Pros: You don’t have to wait for someone with the right tools to get to you.
Cons: Changing a tire requires getting your hands (and possibly your clothes) a little dirty, moderate physical labor and the right tools.