Flat Tire? Here Is What to Do (and What Not to Do)

A flat tire does not have to ruin your day. Learn the right steps to handle a flat safely — whether you change it yourself or call for roadside assistance.

A flat tire is one of the most common roadside emergencies, and how you handle it in the first few seconds matters. The biggest mistake drivers make is braking hard or jerking the wheel — both can cause a loss of control, especially at highway speeds.

If you feel a flat, grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator gradually, and steer toward the nearest safe pull-off area. Do not brake suddenly. Let the vehicle slow naturally and guide it to the shoulder or a parking lot.

Once stopped safely, turn on your hazard lights and assess the situation. If you have a usable spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench — and you are in a safe location away from traffic — you can attempt to change the tire yourself. Make sure the vehicle is on flat, stable ground before jacking it up, and never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack.

If you do not have a spare, if the spare is also flat or damaged, or if you are in an unsafe location such as a highway shoulder or a dark street, call for roadside assistance. Mian Towing LLC can come to your location, change your flat if you have a usable spare, or tow your vehicle to the nearest tire shop.

One thing to avoid: driving on a flat tire. Even a short distance can destroy the wheel rim and turn a simple tire change into a much more expensive repair. If the tire is flat, stop and call for help rather than trying to limp to a shop.

Call Mian Towing LLC at (503) 984-0458 for fast flat tire assistance anywhere in the Portland metro area, including Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, Aloha, Portland, and Lake Oswego.