Since tires play a crucial safety role when you’re on the road, knowing when they may go flat is key. If a flat occurs while you’re driving, pull over as soon as possible and call your local towing company. However, you can prevent inconvenient flats by checking for signs that one or more of your tires will go flat soon and scheduling timely auto maintenance service.

How to Tell Your Vehicle Tires Are Going Flat

1. Sidewall Cracks & Bulges

Tires can sustain cracks, blisters, and bulges on their sidewalls after years of use, especially if they are routinely subjected to rough terrain and extreme temperature fluctuations. Cracks can morph into slow leaks, while bulges and blisters can cause the rubber to blow out when you drive over a pothole or hit a curb.

2. Thinning Tread

Over time, the tire tread that creates traction with the road wears down. If your wheels are misaligned, or if your tires aren’t regularly rotated or filled with the proper amount of air, the tread wears down unevenly, resulting in the need for premature replacements. Bald tires cannot grip the road, making slipping and sliding more likely. This also increases the risk of blowouts.

3. Vibrations

Misaligned or bent wheels cause your tires to vibrate, creating handling difficulties and a bumpy ride. Worn shock absorbers also increase vibrations and put undue stress on your tires. Without intervening auto maintenance, these problems can cause flat tires. If your tires are relatively new, repairing the wheels and replacing the shock absorbers may be enough to keep the rubber in good condition.

4. Pressure Issues

Slow leaks in your tires aren’t necessarily visible. If it seems like you’re always visiting the air pressure center at your local gas station, there’s likely a slow leak on one or more tires that can worsen at any time. A leak that gets large enough can cause the affected tire to go flat when you’re driving. 

If you find yourself dealing with a flat tire on the road, rely on OHS Towing of Columbia Falls, MT, to provide roadside assistance. The towing company serves Flathead Valley and the rest of northwest Montana, providing 24/7 services and quick response times. Call (406) 892- 1600 whenever you need towing assistance or visit the company online for a complete list of service areas.