Share:

Flat tires are occasionally caused by manufacturing defects, but this serious problem is more often the result of a puncture or poor air pressure. If you find yourself with an unexpected flat tire, you might be tempted to keep driving to the nearest service station for tire patching or replacement. But is this okay? Cheatwood's Service Station, located in Heflin, AL, is an auto repair shop with a wrecker service. Below, they share what you should do when your tire blows.

Potential Dangers of Driving on a Flat

You should never drive with a flat tire. Though some may think it will be okay as long as they drive slowly, your car’s wheel rim is not designed to be in contact with the road. If you attempt to drive on a flat, you could end up with a cracked or damaged rim.

Wrecker ServiceFlat tires also strain your vehicle’s frame. The expense of repairing the potential alignment problems that come with driving on a flat can be far more expensive than calling a wrecker service and getting a replacement tire.  

But there are also potentially dangerous aspects of driving on a flat. If one of your front tires has lost its air, you’ll have less control over your vehicle and can easily get into an accident. Stay safe and pull over as soon as you can.

What to Do When You Get a Flat Tire

When you feel your tire go flat while you’re driving, pull off the road slowly and carefully. Try to maneuver to a place that’s out of the way of traffic before calling your wrecker service. A flat tire doesn’t automatically mean you need a new tire. A patch may repair the damage, but it depends on the cause of the blowout. Ask your auto repair shop about your options.

If you have a flat and need a wrecker service for help, call Cheatwood's Service Station. Not only do they offer basic car maintenance and towing, but they also have an attached gas station and convenience store. Visit their website to learn more, or call (256) 463-7968 to schedule a service appointment.

tracking