When your car suffers a flat tire while you’re driving, it is both a nuisance and a serious hazard. Whether changing it yourself or calling a towing company, there are steps you should take to ensure you and other drivers stay safe. Garrett’s Towing & Recovery Service provides roadside assistance across the Thomasville, NC, area and has a few tips on how to stay safe while changing a tire.

Pull Over Slowly & Carefully to a Safe Spot

The first thing you need to do is calmly pull over to a safe location. If you’re on the highway, pull over to the emergency lane with your hazard lights on. If you’re in a neighborhood, find a quiet street or a parking lot to pull into. If you can do so, park on a flat road because it’s much easier to change a tire on level ground.

Change Your Tire With Proper Safety Precautions

If you can, set up reflective triangles behind your vehicle, especially if you’re changing a tire at night. This will allow other drivers to see you. Use wheel wedges on the tires on the opposite side of the flat to keep the vehicle from rolling. Then, prop the car up with a jack, but avoid putting any part of your body under the vehicle. Remove your hubcap, loosen the lug nuts, take the tire off, and replace it with the spare. Do not tighten your lug nuts with a wrench until you’ve removed the jack. After your new tire is on, check it for pressure. If you don’t have a gauge with you, drive to a gas station to ensure it’s safe enough to get you home.

Call for Help If You Need It

There are times when calling for towing services is the best move, even if it means costing you a bit of money. If you don’t have the proper tools to replace your tire, don’t attempt it on your own. You should also call a tow truck if you are in an unsafe location to change it yourself, such as a high-traffic area, dirt road, or slick surface.

If you aren’t sure how to change your tire correctly or you’re in an unsafe location and need roadside assistance, Garrett’s Towing & Recovery Service is here to help. With 24-hour service available, you can call them at (336) 476-3153, and their team will get to you quickly any time of the day. Visit their website for more details on their services.