Flat Tire? Here’s What Experts at Our Tire Shop Tells You to Do

Having a flat tire is probably one of the most unwanted things to happen to your car while traveling. It’s a real hassle for car drivers, pulling over to locate the damage only to find out you have a flat tire. So, what happens next?

When you have a flat tire, you should avoid driving your car because, without the right tire, you could badly damage your wheel, requiring tire replacement. Some reasons for having a flat tire are either a puncture, tire breakdown, valve system damage, improper inflation, or a detached tire and rim. If you are ready beforehand, replacing a flat tire will be easier.

However, many drivers are unaware of how to repair a flat tire and do not consider the problem until they are stuck on the side of the roadway. You should not wait and hope that someone will stop to assist you. If you can’t handle flat tires, you can call Cutter Mazda Waipahu to repair or get your new tires.

Below are what experts at our tire shop tell you to do:

Stop Driving

When you suffer a flat tire, the first step is to stop driving and immediately pull over to a safe zone away from other vehicles. Never drive any further because it will decrease all possibilities of mending the tire and may harm your wheel.

Always Have the Necessary Equipment

The entire process is much easier when you have the necessary tools in your vehicle and ensure that it has everything you need to repair a flat tire properly. Here’s the list of everything you’ll need to change a tire:

• Extra tire – spare tire can be utilized as a backup option. Monitor your tire pressure weekly and fill it regularly before your long travels.
• Jack – again, these are often standard tools in most vehicles. So, to gain access underneath the car, use a jack to lift it off the ground. If you don’t have one, Cutter Mazda Waipahu will assist you in finding the perfect one for your vehicle.
• Lug Wrench – A lug wrench is a tool for removing the nuts on your car’s tires and if you want something much larger, go to the nearest tire shop.
• Safety Equipment – includes warning lights and triangles, a reflector, and a flashlight. These are essential equipment if you are stuck on the road.
• Equipment for Inflation – When you need equipment to replace a flat tire, you might consider purchasing an air compressor. This also comes in handy in a variety of situations.

Change or Repair Tire

A flat tire should be changed or repaired as quickly as possible. Once you’ve removed it, assess whether your tire can be fixed or replaced. Most drivers are unsure of the appropriate response, so take it to a reputable tire shop like Cutter Mazda Waipahu.

Our tire experts can inspect your flat tire and advise you on the best actions.

• Repair your tire: If the tire still has plenty of rubber, this will be the option. In such cases, you can usually patch the flat, fill your tire, and get on your way. However, if the tire tread is thin, it may not be advisable to repair it.
• Replace your tire: Nobody likes to hear that their tire needs to be changed and, in some circumstances, replacing the tire is the only option. These are the kinds of damages that require tire replacement: Damaged sidewalls, blown-out tires, and insufficient tread.

The best remedy is that when your tire has worn out you need to replace all four, or you may only have to change two tires if it only has decent wear. But you should never change one tire only since it can result in a poor riding experience, misalignment and wear concerns, or wheel damage.

Proper Maintenance

Your tires have a limited lifespan, so it is essential to maintain them properly with regular tire maintenance, examine them for symptoms of degradation and the need for new tires, and you should appropriately handle your flat tire if it happens. You must know when your routine maintenance is conducted, you can see it in your owner’s handbook or seek guidance from your trusted tire shop.

• Tire Rotation – This involves shifting your tires to different positions so that each tire touches the road and generates friction. The road’s resistance wears down the tires, yet it only brushes a portion of the road. Rotating the tires allows you to distribute the wear from one side to another, extending the tire’s life span. It allows your tire tread to wear evenly and enables your technician to double-check your tire pressure and inspect your brakes.
• Tire Inspection – Perform a visual check while working on your tires. This inspection will tell you whether your tires are cracking, having objects stuck to them, running low on tread, and so on. When it comes to car tread, have you ever heard about the penny test?

The penny test is a simple technique to determine the condition of your tire’s tread. Put a penny, Lincoln’s head first, between two ribs on your tire. If you can see his entire head, then it is time to visit a tire shop.

In Conclusion

Tire service is concerned with keeping tires safe to use and extending their life, so if your tires make your driving dangerous, it’s better to replace them. Our experts are here for all your tire services, regardless of the condition of your tires. We offer the inventory and qualified experts to maintain your tires in optimal condition, whether you need a patch, rotation, or balancing or require a new set of tires. Cutter Mazda Waipahu will help you!

Call or stop by Cutter Mazda Waipahu today to assist you with your tire services!

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