The first thing to remember is not to panic. This can be a somewhat stressful and usually inconvenient situation, but a flat tire is actually a pretty easy scenario to handle. It is very important not to continue to drive on a flat tire. Doing so can severely damage the tire and even your wheel.
If you are driving and experience a flat tire, put your emergency hazard lights on and safely pull over out of the way as soon as possible.
You have a couple of options once your vehicle is stationary. First, look over the tire to pinpoint what is causing the air leak and determine how bad any damage is. If the leak is minor, a portable air compressor may be sufficient to inflate the tire enough to get you to the closest tire shop.
If the tire is not holding any air, then you can either remove the flat tire and put on your spare tire or call someone for assistance. In many cases, roadside assistance is included in comprehensive vehicle insurance coverage, and they can install your spare tire for you.
Keep in mind that trying to repair the tire yourself with a DIY repair kit often leads to a repair that can jeopardize the integrity and safety of the tire. As soon as you can safely drive your vehicle, bring the flat tire to your closest Goodguys Tires & Auto Repair location. Our tire experts will evaluate the extent of the damage and perform a proper tire repair, if necessary.