Nobody wants to be outside the safe cocoon of their houses in the dead of night; we just want to arrive home as soon as possible! Too bad, some people might not get so lucky, suffering from a white car flat tire at night! What should they do in those cases, then?
In this article:
Why Did Your Tires Go Flat At Night?
Curious about the reason behind your black car flat tight at night? Here are some of the most common causes:
Punctures Hole by Sharp Objects
Sharp objects like glass or nails are often littered on uneven roads, causing tire punctures. The best way to sidestep puncture blowouts from a car flat tire at night time is to drive carefully around road debris or parking lots!
Damage or Failure To Your Valve System
Another prevalent issue associated with flat tires is defects and malfunctions in the valve stem – a tiny protrusion where the tire gets inflated.
Corroded or damaged stems allow trapped air to leak, flatting the tire entirely. Dirt-clogged or loose screws might also play a part in stripping your tires of their inflation, worsening the situation.
Ripped Tire
Rips and tears are clearly where the air escapes, putting you and other drivers in extremely dangerous situations! Always make sure to keep an eye on all tire damage, such as:
- Deeply worn or scuffed areas
- Uneven wear on one of the tire sides
Leaks from The Tire Beads
Though rarer, the air can sometimes leak from your beads – the tire edges fixated on the rims. Failure to tend to that leak on time will inevitably lead to flat-tire problems.
How to confirm the bead’s condition, though? Simple: Spray the valve system and wheels with some soapy water. Do you see a consistent bubble stream emerge? If yes, then bead leaks are clearly at play.
What To Do If You Have A Flat Tire?
Pull Your Car Off The Road Safely
Do not keep trying to drive at night in such conditions. Stop immediately and pull away safely from other automobiles. Going too far on flat tires is never recommended, after all (50 miles right after getting punctured, tops).
Also, do not forget to turn the lights on, alert other drivers and ensure your car is visible in the dark!
If you ignore the issues and keep moving forward on the road, your wheels will be put under permanent damage risks, completely ruining any repair chance the tires could have had.
Replace The Flat Tires
Most car models arrive with spare tire kits covering every necessary tool for changing tires. Not that the procedure demands much, anyway: just a lug wrench, a jack, and one or two donut tires are enough! Time to get down to the business.
Step 1. Confirm your safety (no unfortunate incidents or collisions might happen during the process). Next, seek a good lighting source (ex: a flashlight or phone).
Step 2. Loosen the tire’s lug nuts by attaching your wrench and turning the device counterclockwise.
Step 3. Secure the vehicle on a jack stand and raise it till the broken tires are above the ground. If necessary, consult the manual recommendations for correct jack placements.
Step 4. Remove the nuts by hand before placing them somewhere safe. Next, pull the tire towards yourself to get it off the car.
Step 5. Install the spare and the nuts. How, though? Simply align the spare’s holes and the nut posts, then push the replacement tires onto your automobile wheelbase. Once done, return the nuts to their place – but don’t tighten them yet.
Step 6. Lower the vehicle with the jack until all tires touch the ground. Tighten all the nuts in alternating circles to guarantee straight alignments.
Contact A Roadside Assistance Service
What if you have no tire-changing skills or feel unsafe being outside this late? Then do not hesitate to dial the number of a road assistance service.
Sure, the wait might be a bit longer than usual since it’s long after their working hours; but be confident that the crew from these emergency roadside assistance companies will arrive at your place as fast as they can.
Even better, many insurance companies join hands with towing services to offer 24-hour roadside service. Hence, another option is to contact your insurance representative directly to ask for roadside assistance. They will likely send a professional to help diagnose and change the tires!
How about people whose insurance has no roadside services? Then open your phone and google nearby towing companies that work 24/7. Note that service fees might fluctuate depending on night rates and your specific location.
Call Family or Friends
All of us have a good friend or relative with good tire-changing skills. If neither roadside services nor DIY tire replacements sound appealing, you can call them for help. Ask them to bring their own tire repair kit, too!
Extra Tips for Flat Tires on Highways
Highways are much more dangerous than regular roads – as some vehicles tend to go at higher speeds at night. Here are some methods to keep everybody safe:
- Flashlights to let people know you are having trouble. That way, unfortunate collisions will be kept at bay.
- Install a light warning sign next to or behind your car to warn others about possible obstacles.
- Write a signal or tie some cloth on your car, letting the pedestrians and police know you want help.
Can You Leave Your Flat Auto Tire Overnight? What Might Happen If You Do So?
Yes, but make sure you have jacked the car and lifted its flat tires off the ground. Only then can you keep the car’s weight from resting entirely on the wheel and causing further damage!
Otherwise, leaving flat tires overnight without a jack stand is a big no, destroying the entire wheel-tire system. Your repair charges later on will be off-the-roof!
What Should You Do to Prevent Flat Tires In The Future?
- Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly. You can do so with an automobile tire gauge or monitor the sensors on the tire pressure monitor system. If low-pressure signals are detected, have your tires inflated immediately.
- Rotate The Tires. Treat your car tires with good rotation services to avoid uneven tread wear and expand their lifespans. Each brand has different suggestions about how often to rotate them, but the safest range is every 5,000 – 10,000 miles.
What To Do When Other Drivers Have Flat Tires At Night?
Slow down and try to keep a good distance from that malfunctioning car. Perform safe driving maneuvers by:
- Maintaining a firm steering wheel and handle
- Operate within safe, allowable speeds
- Never get closer than 2 meters to that car
And does that driver seem to have trouble finding assistance? Then you can also call for some help.
Conclusion
Standing on a highway with a flatty at night is terrifying, but it does not necessarily mean the end of the world! There are still many solutions and tips to address the dilemma.
Also, to avoid such disasters from returning in the future, never leave your tire pressure unchecked for longer than a month. Keep that in mind, and you are good to go.
