How to Prepare for a Flat Tire (If Your Car Doesn’t Have a Spare Tire)
If you find yourself on the side of the road with a flat tire, your first step will probably be to pull out the spare tire and replace it, or call someone to help you with the shift. The spare for your car may be a compact, smaller tire designed just to get you to the shop and have a full-size tire repaired, but if you’re driving a new car, you should check to see if you have a spare tire on board. All.
According to Consumer Reports , about 40% of cars sold today are not equipped with some type of spare tire, even a temporary one, likely due to manufacturers’ desire to improve fuel economy and reduce costs. Some vehicles don’t even have the tools needed to seal or repair a flat.
If you find your car is among the 40% that don’t have a spare, here’s how to prepare ahead of time for the possibility of a flat tire.
Learn to use an emergency repair kit
If your vehicle does not have a replacement part, emergency repair supplies for flat and flat tire repair may be included instead – these may include tire sealant and CO2 cartridges. Take the time to become familiar with the tools and read all the instructions that explain how to apply the sealant (which can actually be easier than changing a tire). If you don’t have any of the essentials on hand, you can purchase them yourself, including just sealant packs or complete repair kits . A portable air compressor can also be useful for inflating sealed or low-pressure tires while on the road.
Repair kits provide a temporary solution, and you should not drive more than 50 mph or more than 100 miles before getting your tire inspected. Please note that tire sealant is not effective on sidewall tears or severe flat damage and, if used, may incur additional costs to remove during repair.
Buy a temporary spare tire or a used tire.
Even if your car doesn’t have a spare tire, it may have a place to store one. You can purchase a compact temporary tire that matches the make and model of your vehicle, or consider purchasing a used (retreaded) full-size spare tire online. (First, make sure the full-size wheel will fit in the spare tire well.) Make sure you also have the tools needed to change the flat , including a jack and wrench.
Check your roadside assistance benefits
Whether or not you decide to add a spare tire to your vehicle, you should know how to call for roadside assistance when you need it. New vehicles purchased from a dealer may include free roadside assistance as part of your warranty or service benefits, so check before paying for an additional subscription. Otherwise, you can add roadside assistance to your auto insurance plan or sign up for AAA.