Quick Answer
If you get a flat tire on the highway, slow down gradually, turn on hazards, pull as far from traffic as safely possible, stay out of the travel lane, and call for roadside help. A tire change is possible only when the location is safe and you have a usable spare.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid sudden braking after a blowout.
- A safe shoulder matters more than saving the tire.
- No spare, damaged wheel, or unsafe shoulder usually means towing to a tire shop.
What To Do
- 1
Ease off the accelerator
Hold the steering wheel firmly, avoid hard braking, and let the vehicle slow gradually while you look for a safe place to stop.
- 2
Get away from traffic
Turn on hazard lights and pull as far onto the shoulder or into a lot as you safely can. If traffic is close, remain belted until it is safe to exit.
- 3
Check for a usable spare
A technician can install a spare when it is present, inflated, accessible, and safe for the vehicle. Wheel lock keys matter too.
- 4
Choose towing when the change is unsafe
If the car is too close to traffic, the rim is damaged, or there is no spare, towing to a tire shop is usually the safer option.
Tell Dispatch
Which tire is flat
Whether you have a spare and wheel lock key
Whether the vehicle is on a shoulder, ramp, driveway, or parking lot
Nearby exit, mile marker, cross street, or landmark