One of the most common dangers on the road is having a flat tire at night. A flat tire can be a severe problem when driving in the dark. Most drivers don’t have any backup plans if they have to get out and change a tire in the middle of nowhere. Finding a safe location to halt can be challenging due to the dark roads and poor visibility.
If you find yourself stranded with a flat tire at night on the side of the road, don’t freak out. You can take several actions to return to driving as soon as feasible. Here are five tips to help you get through a flat tire at night:
What To Do With A Flat Tire At Night
If you are unsure what to do with a flat tire at night, it is expect to become anxious. So, what do you do with a flat tire at night? If you find yourself stranded with a flat tire, you can do a few things to stay safe and comfortable.
First, ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas and enough emergency supplies to get you through the night.
Next, look for a secure parking space and avoid risky walking areas.
Finally, use a flashlight to check for obstacles in the road before getting out of your car.
After completing the initial task, you can take the following actions to get back on the road.
Replace A Flat Tire
Almost all cars come with a spare tire or specialized repair tools. If you have prior expertise in doing this, change the tire immediately on the side of the road. Any driver should be knowledgeable about tire replacement.
Call A Friend Or Relative
If a friend or relative is nearby and available, you can also call them. Asking someone with knowledge of tire patching for help when changing a spare tire will save you time and money.
Roadside Assistance
The best course of action can be to dial for roadside help. Roadside assistance can be helpful when you have a flat tire at night. For individuals who experience the circumstances above, support services are readily available around the clock and always handy. If you cannot text, phone friends and family, or fix it yourself, the repair team will be at your disposal. Even though one-time assistance may be costly, insurance helps cover this.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Finally, ask your insurance provider for assistance, although it may seem unconnected. This is a quick and efficient approach that will save you money. Many policies cover flat tires while driving, even if you’re not carrying your policy’s normal liability limits.
Insurance companies frequently collaborate with auto tire repair providers to exchange recurring payments. And most importantly, ensure that your phone’s battery is ultimately charged for emergencies.
How To Fix A Flat Tire
Outdoor enthusiasts are more likely than usual to experience a vehicle breakdown in a distant location without access to urgent assistance. So far, tire punctures are the most frequent issue a vehicle encounters and are more likely to occur on dirt roads. Thus, your spare tire is only sometimes a reliable option. We should equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to handle problems independently. Let’s briefly discuss how to fix a flat tire.
What You Need
- Rope plugs
- Needle-nose pliers,
- Spare valve cores,
- A folding razor blade
- Compressor
How To Fix A Flat Tire: Step By Step
Step 1: Identify The Puncture
A puncture can be caused by a nail, screw, piece of metal, or another object that has gone through the tire and into the tube. If the object is large enough, air will escape from the tire and become flat. If you can’t find the puncture, try using a stick to feel inside the tire for any objects that may have made it.
Step 2: Take The Wheel Off
This is typically done by removing the lug nuts and then removing the wheel. If the spare tire is installed, it should also be removed before proceeding. When the wheel is removed, use a wrench to remove the hubcap bolts. Then, use a screwdriver to pry off the hubcap. Finally, use a socket to take the wheel off the car.
Step 3: Evaluate The Puncture
If your tread has a crack, it can be repaired. Tires in good condition are most likely to sustain a small hole. If a hole appears across the tire’s sidewall, which is practically vertical, you need to mount your spare and change the tire as soon as possible.
Step 4: Solve The Issue
Remove any foreign object from your tire if it is causing the tire to lose its ability to hold air.
Step 5: Widen The Hole
Skip this step if the hole is more significant than a pencil. If not, take out the reamer from your tire-repair kit and use it to dig the hole bigger until its size is comparable to a pencil.
Step 6: Connect The Plug
Take a rope plug out of its plastic packaging. Then, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to flatten one end and insert it through the installation tool’s eyelet. Pull the plug through the eyelet and hold the protruding edge in your pliers so that plugs of equal length emerge from both sides.
Place the tool’s tip on top of the tire’s hole. When the tread and depth guide is flush, firmly grip the tool in both hands and push it through the tire. The eyelet on the plug should permit it to go through and stay inside the tire.
One plug is sufficient if there is just minor damage to the hole. If not, you might have to install a second or third.
Step 7: Reconnect The Wheel
Pump up the tire to the appropriate pressure using your air compressor. Reinstall the wheel when it has been inflated. To attach the wheel to the hub, manually install the lug nuts. Next, tighten the nut as much as you can. To ensure the wheel returns to the hub evenly, tighten them in a star pattern.
Why Does My Tire Keep Going Flat?
Many often ask, “Why does my tire keep going flat?” So, if you are among the folks wondering, “Why does my tire keep going flat?” there could be many reasons. The following are the most typical:
- Injury from a Sharp Object
- Damage to the valve stem or its failure
- A rubbed or torn tire
- Leaky Tire Beads
- Vandalism
- Unstable Tires
- Leaking Alloy Wheels
- Road Threats
- Unanticipated Damage
Wrapping Up
Experiencing a flat tire at night can be a very frustrating experience. However, if you are prepared for it, you can make the situation less stressful. Always have a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench in your car. Stay calm and act appropriately if you get a flat tire at night.
