If
a Tire Goes.Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially
if
you maintain your tires properly.
If
air goes
out
of
a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But
if
you
should ever have a “blowout,” here are
a
few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If
a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and
grip
the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
A
rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a
skid.
In
any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to
go.
It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake
to
a stop, well off the road if possible.
If
a
tire goes flat, the next section shows how to use
your jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing
a
Flat Tire
If
a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place.
Turn
on your hazard
warning flashers.
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