Quick Answer: Pull far right, turn on hazards, set parking brake, place reflective triangles 100+ feet behind your car. Change tire quickly but carefully. Never attempt on busy highways or in poor weather conditions. Call for professional help instead.
What To Do
Get off the road immediately
- Pull as far right as possible onto the shoulder
- Avoid curves, hills, or narrow shoulders
- Turn on hazard lights before you stop
- If the shoulder is dangerously narrow, keep driving slowly on the flat until you reach a safer spot. A ruined rim costs far less than getting hit by passing traffic.
Make yourself visible
- Set parking brake and turn wheels away from traffic
- Place reflective triangles 100-200 feet behind your vehicle
- At highway speeds, drivers need extra distance to react. On a 65 mph road, push that first triangle out to 200 feet minimum.
- Turn on interior dome light if dark
- Wear bright clothing or reflective vest
- If you have road flares, use them at night or in rain. They are visible through fog and rain where triangles are not.
Position your jack safely
- Find solid, level ground away from traffic
- Locate proper jack points in your owner’s manual
- Never jack up the car on soft ground or asphalt. Hot asphalt on a summer day is soft enough to let a jack sink and tip. Carry a small piece of plywood in your trunk to place under the jack on questionable surfaces.
- Do not crawl under a car supported only by a scissor jack. If the car shifts, it will come down fast.
Change the tire quickly
- Loosen lug nuts before raising the vehicle. Breaking them loose while the tire is on the ground prevents the wheel from spinning.
- Raise car until flat tire clears ground by about two inches
- Remove flat tire, install spare
- Hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern, not a circular one. Circular tightening warps the wheel slightly and causes vibration.
- Lower vehicle and fully tighten lug nuts. Apply your full body weight to the wrench. Under-torqued lug nuts can allow the wheel to loosen at highway speed.
Clean up and get moving
- Stow flat tire and tools in trunk
- Collect triangles and safety equipment
- Check spare tire pressure at next gas station. A donut spare that has been sitting in a trunk for two years may be down to 30 psi or less. It needs 60 psi to carry the car safely.
Photo: Pexels
What It Might Cost
- Roadside assistance call: $75-150
- New tire (if spare is temporary): $80-300
- Tow to tire shop: $100-200
Most roadside assistance programs through AAA, your auto insurer, or a credit card membership cover one tire change per incident at no extra charge. Check your wallet before you pull out your credit card at the scene.
If you drive on a flat even briefly, inspect the rim before mounting a new tire. A cracked or bent rim needs replacement too, adding $75-300 depending on wheel size and material.
Photo: Pexels
Common Questions
Q: Can I change a tire on the highway myself or should I always call for help? A: If you have a safe, wide shoulder, level ground, and light traffic, a competent adult can change a tire in 15-20 minutes. If any of those conditions are missing, call roadside assistance. The risk of being struck while kneeling on a narrow shoulder next to fast-moving traffic is not worth it.
Q: How far can I drive on a donut spare before I need a real tire? A: Donut spares are rated for 50 mph and 50 miles maximum. Driving faster or farther risks blowout, and the smaller diameter also puts extra strain on your transmission and ABS sensors. Get to a tire shop the same day whenever possible.
Q: What if my car doesn’t have a spare tire at all? A: Many newer vehicles come with only a tire inflation kit instead of a spare. That kit works for small punctures in the tread area, but it will not seal a sidewall blowout or a large gash. If your inflation kit fails to hold pressure after five minutes, stop and call for a tow.
Stay Safe
Don’t attempt if:
- Traffic is heavy or moving fast
- Weather conditions are poor
- Shoulder is too narrow or unsafe
- You’re on a bridge or in a tunnel
Call 911 or roadside assistance instead. Your safety matters more than your schedule. Temporary spare tires are only rated for 50 mph and 50 miles maximum.
Need roadside help? Visit Tow With The Flow for real answers when your car breaks down.