How to Avoid a Flat Tire

Feb 8, 2017 8:00:00 AM

avoiding-a-flat-tire4.jpg

Nothing is worse that hearing and feeling that rhythmic thump-thump-thump of a flat tire when you’re driving. Here’s some tips to avoid that scenario altogether:

  1. Keep tires inflated to their proper pressure. That means checking regularly with a good quality tire gauge. And don’t think of using the gauge that comes with the air hose at the gas station pump. Those are damaged within days of being installed, and you run the risk of over- or under-inflating your tires.

    If you don’t know the proper inflation, check your owner’s manual. Or, many manufacturers put the pressure numbers in Pounds Per Square Inch (or PSI) on the inside of the driver’s door. Can’t find that either? Go to your local tire shop and ask them.

  2. Rotate your tires. Get your tires professionally rotated when you change your oil. Again, check your manual for the proper rotation pattern, as it isn’t enough to just switch the fronts with the rear tires.

  3. Check the tread. Newer tires have wear bars built into them; when the bars are even with the tread, that means it’s time to replace the tires. Or, you can use the coin trick. Take a penny and place it between the treads with Lincoln’s head facing upside down. If you can see the top of his noggin, there’s not enough tread left.

  4. Consider tire sealant. There are a variety of foam sealants on the market that are injected into tires prior to inflation. Then, if a puncture occurs, the foam seals the hole, allowing you to drive on to a nearby shop for a patch.

  5. Opt for run flat tires. Like sealant, run flat tires are designed to withstand punctures, allowing you to drive 50 or so miles on a punctured tire—or run while “flat,” hence the name. A word of caution though: run flat tires must be compete replaced once a puncture occurs—so if you live in an area with lots of construction, you may be in for a number of high ticket tire replacement purchases.

Want to keep rolling? Check out vehicle service plans offered by ForeverCar. There are options and prices for every need and budget, so you can keep going longer.

Get started

 

 

Lists by Topic

see all

Posts by Topic

see all

Recent Posts