Do I have a flat tire?
A car tire should give you at least 70,000 miles of safe driving. This is assuming you don’t run over any nails or otherwise damage your tires.
But what happens when one of your tires unexpectedly goes flat? There are many car maintenance shops around that can fix the problem and get your car back on the road in no time.
But before you call a mechanic, you want to be sure that your tire is deflated and that no other issues are causing problems. Keep reading for everything you need to know about identifying a flat tire.
Signs of a Flat Tire
The first thing you should do is a visual inspection. If you notice that one of your tires appears lower than the others, or if there’s a bulge in the sidewall, then you’re likely dealing with a flat tire.
Press down on your tire with one hand to see if it feels like there’s less pressure than normal. If there is, change your tire as soon as possible.
If you’re ever stuck in the middle of a highway and can’t get out of your car to check on your tires, here are other signs that your tire is flat.
Vibrating Steering Wheel
The vibrations from a flat tire can cause the car to lose its balance, which causes the steering wheel to shake. If you notice this symptom while driving on an uneven road, try switching lanes or slowing down until the shaking stops. If it doesn’t stop after a few minutes, then chances are that one of your tires has gone flat and needs attention.
Thumping Noise
If you hear a loud flapping noise while driving, especially when going over bumps in the road or hitting potholes, then one of your tires is probably flat. When a tire is under-inflated, it will not maintain its shape and the material will slap against the road’s surface instead of rolling smoothly.
Uneven Driving
The most obvious sign you need a tire replacement is when your car leans to one side. When a tire loses its air pressure and can’t support the weight of your vehicle, it will cause that side of your car to sag. The ride will also be bumpier since the remaining wheels are struggling to balance themselves.
Trouble Speeding
You might notice that when you’re driving on flat terrains, the car feels like it’s struggling to pick up speed. Though many car problems can lead to this, there’s one sure sign that it’s a tire problem: the car will be off balance.
If one side of your car is leaning, this will cause an imbalance in how much traction each wheel gets from the road’s surface. The car will have a harder time gripping the road and accelerating because the weight of the car is being distributed unevenly.
Driving With a Flat Tire
If you’re driving with a flat tire, you must be extra cautious. You’ll need to drive slowly and avoid potholes or other obstacles that could cause your car to swerve.
Also, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel at all times. This will help keep you in control of the imbalanced vehicle.
Fix a Flat Tire
A flat tire can be scary, especially when you discover it on the highway. If yours goes down while you’re driving to work one morning, call Dugger Services for emergency roadside assistance. We’ll send someone to meet you on the road and help you get back up and running safely.
Our services are 24/7, so don’t hesitate to contact us at any time of the day or night. We’re here to help!
