If you get a flat tire at night, you can change the tire yourself, call a friend, or call roadside assistance. Depending on your tire, you may be able to leave a flat overnight and deal with it in the morning.
Flat tires can appear without warning and often at the most inconvenient times—like when you’re in a rush before work or you’re driving at night. While flat tires are common (especially at night!), most people don’t know how to safely deal with this problem.
Jerry
is a trustworthy super app
that offers car insurance
quotes and a roadside assistance program. We've compiled this guide with everything you need to know about dealing with a flat tire at night. What to do when you get a flat tire at night
Imagine this: you’re driving at night when you suddenly notice a thump, vibration, and aloud flapping sound. Not good—you’ve got a flat tire!
The first thing you should do when you get a flat tire at night is stop driving and park your car in a safe location. If you are on a busy road or highway, pull into the shoulder on the right side of the road and turn on your hazard lights.
Once you’ve safely parked your vehicle, you can begin to deal with your flat tire. Let’s explore your options.
Contact roadside assistance
If you can't change the tire yourself or don't feel safe, call a roadside assistance company.
You may have to wait a little longer since it's after normal business hours, but the company will get a crew to you as soon as possible.
Most insurance companies partner with towing companies to provide 24/7 roadside assistance services. Contact your insurance to request roadside assistance, and they’ll send an expert to help you change your tire.
If you don’t have roadside assistance through your insurance, Google towing companies in your area that offer 24/7 roadside assistance and flat tire services. The cost of service will vary depending on your location and night rates.
Replace your flat tire
Many cars are equipped with a spare tire kit that includes everything you need to change a flat tire. If you have a donut tire, jack, and lug wrench in your trunk, then you have all the tools to replace your flat tire right on the side of the road.
First, make sure you feel safe. Try to find adequate lighting (get out your phone or a flashlight at a minimum) and follow these steps to replace your flat:
Loosen the lug nuts. Attach the wrench to a lug nut and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it.
Raise your car. Secure the car on jack stands under the metal part of your frame and lift your vehicle till the flat tire is off the ground. You may need to consult your owner’s manual for proper jack placement.
Remove the lug nuts and pull off the tire. Take off the lug nuts by hand and place them together in a safe spot before removing the tire by pulling it towards yourself.
Place the spare tire and the lug nuts. Align the holes in the spare with the lug nut posts and push the spare tire onto the wheelbase. Then, put the lug nuts back on, but do not tighten them.
Lower your car and tighten. Use the jack to lower your car until the spare touches the ground then tighten the lug nuts in an alternating pattern. Tightening every other lug nut will ensure your tire is straight.
Call friends or family
Not everyone has the experience (or tools!) to change a flat tire, but we all have that friend or family member who’s boasted about their tire-changing abilities.
If you’ve never changed a flat tire and aren’t ready to start now or have a spare tire but don’t have the tools to change it, call a friend or family for help. Be sure to ask someone who has experience changing tires and the tools to do so.
Key Takeaway When you get a flat tire at night, you can contact roadside assistance, change it yourself, or call someone you know for help. Don't leave your car unattended unless it's a true emergency.
How to avoid a flat tire
While flat tires are always a surprise, there are measures you can take to keep your tires in great condition and reduce your chances of experiencing a flat. Try these tips to avoid getting a flat tire:
Check your tire pressure regularly. It’s recommended you check your tire pressure once a month to keep your tires properly inflated and catch leaks before it’s too late. Use the same tire pressure gauge each time to ensure accurate readings and extend the lifespan of your tires.
Rotate your tires. Getting your tires rotated will prevent uneven wear patterns, make for a smoother ride, and prolong the life of your tires. In general, it’s a good idea to rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, but you should check your owner’s manual for your specific model recommendation.
Don’t overload. The label that indicates your tire pressure will also specify how much weight your car should carry. Keep this recommendation in mind to avoid overloading, which can ruin your tires.
How to get great car insurance and roadside assistance
Dealing with a flat tire at night can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t have the right car insurance
policy. That’s where we come in! Jerry
is the easiest and most effective way to find cheap car insurance without sacrificing coverage. We also offer our own roadside assistance package so you can feel safe no matter where your travels take you. After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies at the lowest rates, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top insurance pick so that you don’t have to. They’ll even help cancel your old policy!
Basically, you get all of the savings and coverage with none of the hassles.
“I had a great experience using Jerry
for the first time. Once my boyfriend buys his new car, we’ll use Jerry together to make sure he doesn’t end up overpaying on new insurance!” —Stephanie S.
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