Stranded with a FLAT
If you've just discovered your car's tire has had a blowout or it has just gone flat, you need to take immediate action. If help isn't readily available, follow these easy steps.
Pull over – right-away.
If you’re driving and notice your car is bouncing, pull over ASAP – preferably into a parking lot or onto a spacious shoulder – before your rims start shooting sparks. If possible, call someone to give the heads-up about your situation. If you've got Roadside Assistance (aka Towing and Labor), you can call your insurance company for help. Or you can take matters into your own hands.
Size up your damages.
Look at your tire to assess the damage. If there's enough separated tire tread to resole your old boots, chances are you'll need to get rid of the tire because it's not salvageable. But, if the damage isn't obvious, Markham Auto Repair may be able to save the tire by patching it.
Strap on a tool belt and start playing mechanic.
Once you put your car in park and set the parking brake, run a quick inventory and ensure you've got a jack, a wrench and a good-to-go inflated spare tire. A good tip: Have the spare tire pressure checked each time you change your oil or rotate the tires. You don't want to swap a flat with another flat.
Loosen the nuts.
Before you raise the car, loosen the lug nuts (the bolts that strap the wheel to the rest of the car) by rotating the wrench counter-clock-wise. Remembering this step will keep you from lots of backtracking and rework. Trust us on this one.
Jack it up.
Now, the fun part. Place the jack in the correct place (look in your car manual or on the jack itself to locate the magic spot) and begin lift-off. Raise the car until the jack stops or until the entire tire is suspended a few inches from the ground.
Make the change.
Continue to loosing the lug nuts until they are removed. Slide the wheel off the car. Don't forget where you stored the nuts because you'll need them for the spare tire. Slide the spare onto your car and tighten the nuts (in a clock-wise motion) until the wrench first stops moving. Lower the jack and once the spare is resting on the ground, give the nuts a few hard twists until you can't turn the wrench anymore.
Enter the home stretch.
You've done it! You're now ready to get going again. However, if you just put a doughnut tire onto your vehicle, you'll need to drive at a slower speed (usually no more than 80 kms or 50 mph). This will compensate for the smaller tire size.
Fix it or ditch it.
If the tire seems fixable, drive it to Markham Auto Repair so we can run a quick test to find the leak and verify if you can fix it or ditch it. It's worth the effort because the patching charge is minimal and you'll double your benefits by saving some money and giving your tire it’s second life. If your tire needs replacing, Markham Auto sells a complete line of tires to match your car.
To discuss any of these tips in further detail, contact Markham Auto Repair and we'll be glad talk to you about them.
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If you've just discovered your car's tire has had a blowout or it has just gone flat, you need to take immediate action. If help isn't readily available, follow these easy steps.
Pull over – right-away.
If you’re driving and notice your car is bouncing, pull over ASAP – preferably into a parking lot or onto a spacious shoulder – before your rims start shooting sparks. If possible, call someone to give the heads-up about your situation. If you've got Roadside Assistance (aka Towing and Labor), you can call your insurance company for help. Or you can take matters into your own hands.
Size up your damages.
Look at your tire to assess the damage. If there's enough separated tire tread to resole your old boots, chances are you'll need to get rid of the tire because it's not salvageable. But, if the damage isn't obvious, Markham Auto Repair may be able to save the tire by patching it.
Strap on a tool belt and start playing mechanic.
Once you put your car in park and set the parking brake, run a quick inventory and ensure you've got a jack, a wrench and a good-to-go inflated spare tire. A good tip: Have the spare tire pressure checked each time you change your oil or rotate the tires. You don't want to swap a flat with another flat.
Loosen the nuts.
Before you raise the car, loosen the lug nuts (the bolts that strap the wheel to the rest of the car) by rotating the wrench counter-clock-wise. Remembering this step will keep you from lots of backtracking and rework. Trust us on this one.
Jack it up.
Now, the fun part. Place the jack in the correct place (look in your car manual or on the jack itself to locate the magic spot) and begin lift-off. Raise the car until the jack stops or until the entire tire is suspended a few inches from the ground.
Make the change.
Continue to loosing the lug nuts until they are removed. Slide the wheel off the car. Don't forget where you stored the nuts because you'll need them for the spare tire. Slide the spare onto your car and tighten the nuts (in a clock-wise motion) until the wrench first stops moving. Lower the jack and once the spare is resting on the ground, give the nuts a few hard twists until you can't turn the wrench anymore.
Enter the home stretch.
You've done it! You're now ready to get going again. However, if you just put a doughnut tire onto your vehicle, you'll need to drive at a slower speed (usually no more than 80 kms or 50 mph). This will compensate for the smaller tire size.
Fix it or ditch it.
If the tire seems fixable, drive it to Markham Auto Repair so we can run a quick test to find the leak and verify if you can fix it or ditch it. It's worth the effort because the patching charge is minimal and you'll double your benefits by saving some money and giving your tire it’s second life. If your tire needs replacing, Markham Auto sells a complete line of tires to match your car.
To discuss any of these tips in further detail, contact Markham Auto Repair and we'll be glad talk to you about them.
GO TO NEXT TIP • CLOSE WINDOW • PRINT THIS WINDOW