Got a Flat Tire in Raleigh? Here's Exactly What to Do
You are driving down Capital Boulevard or sitting in a parking lot in Cary and you notice the car pulling to one side. Or maybe the tire pressure warning just popped up on your dash. Either way, you have a flat tire and you need to figure out your next move.
Here is what to do step by step, whether you are on I-40, parked at Crabtree Valley Mall, or stuck on a back road in Wake Forest.
Pull Over Somewhere Safe
If you are still driving, slow down gradually and get off the road as far as you can. A parking lot is ideal. If you are on the highway, pull onto the shoulder and get as far right as possible. Turn on your hazard lights immediately.
Do not keep driving on a flat tire. Even a quarter mile on a completely flat tire can destroy the rim. If the tire is just low but not flat, you might be able to limp to a nearby lot at low speed. Use your judgment, but err on the side of stopping sooner.
Check What You Are Dealing With
Once you are stopped safely, get out and look at the tire. You are trying to figure out a few things. Is the tire completely flat or just low? Can you see what caused it, like a nail or screw in the tread? Is the damage on the tread or on the sidewall?
If you can see a nail or screw stuck in the tread and the tire is still holding some air, that is usually a repairable situation. If the sidewall is torn or bulging, or if the tire is shredded, you are looking at a replacement.
You do not need to diagnose it perfectly. Just get a general sense so you know what to tell whoever comes to help.
Decide How You Want to Handle It
You have a few options depending on your situation.
If you have a spare tire and know how to change it, go for it. Most cars come with either a full size spare or a compact spare in the trunk. The compact spare is only rated for about 50 miles at 50 mph, so it is meant to get you to a shop, not to drive on for the next two weeks.
If you do not have a spare or do not want to deal with it on the side of the road, call for mobile tire service. A lot of newer cars do not even come with spares anymore. Manufacturers started dropping them to save weight and trunk space. If that is your situation, you are not stuck. You just need someone to come to you.
If you have a tire repair kit or Fix-a-Flat, those can work as a temporary measure for small punctures in the tread. They will not fix a sidewall blowout or a large gash. And most shops will tell you that sealants can make a proper repair harder later. Use it if you need to get somewhere safe, but plan on getting the tire actually fixed after.
Why Calling a Mobile Tire Service Makes Sense
Changing a tire on the shoulder of I-440 during rush hour is not a fun experience. It is also not the safest one. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hundreds of people are killed every year in incidents involving stopped vehicles on the roadside.
A mobile tire service comes to wherever you are, whether that is the side of the highway, your driveway, a parking deck in downtown Raleigh, or a neighborhood street in Durham. The technician handles the repair or replacement on the spot so you do not have to get your hands dirty or put yourself in a risky situation.
It also saves you a tow. If the tire can be patched or plugged, you drive away on your own tire. If it needs to be replaced, a mobile tech can help you figure out next steps.
Common Flat Tire Causes in the Triangle
If you drive around Raleigh, Durham, Cary, or the surrounding areas regularly, certain things cause more flats than others.
Construction debris is a big one. The Triangle has been one of the fastest growing regions in the country for years, and all that construction means nails, screws, and metal fragments on the road. Routes near new developments in Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, and north Raleigh are especially bad for this.
Potholes are another common cause, particularly in early spring after winter weather has broken up the pavement. A hard pothole hit can pinch the tire against the rim and cause a blowout or a slow leak that shows up hours later.
Low tire pressure is the one most people overlook. When the temperature drops overnight, tire pressure drops too. About 1 PSI for every 10 degree change. A tire that was fine in September might be dangerously low by December. Check your pressures once a month and you will avoid a lot of problems before they start.
Keep This Number in Your Phone
Flat tires do not happen at convenient times. They happen at 11 PM on a Tuesday or in the rain on the way to pick up your kids. Having a number saved ahead of time means you are not frantically Googling for help while standing on the shoulder.
Amp Rescue handles flat tire service across the entire NC Triangle. Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, Morrisville, Holly Springs, Garner, Knightdale, Chapel Hill, and everywhere in between. We come to you, assess the tire, and either repair it on the spot or help you get a replacement sorted out.
Call or text (919) 526-5165. We are available 24/7, every day of the year.