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One of the challenges that drivers face on a regular basis is having a flat tire. Oftentimes, it happens without a warning and not knowing what to do can be stressful and challenging. 

Blowouts that occur on the road late at night, in the middle of nowhere, or in inclement weather are not only an inconvenience; but can also seriously jeopardize a driver’s safety. 

If you drive your own car, you should have ample knowledge about fixing a flat tire on a car since it's a really easy process. Even so, a lot of people don’t know the right way to do it.  

You can save a lot of time and money by fixing your own tire. There are a few ways on how to do it, and most of them are pretty simple and don’t require more than just a few tools. 

Here are easy steps to repairing a flat tire that you can do by yourself. 

What Causes A Flat Tire

These are the most common causes of a flat tire you should know: 

1. Puncture by Sharp Object 

Sharp objects such as nails or glass on the road are the most common cause of a flat tire. Avoid puncture blowouts by driving  in parking lots or around debris in the road whenever possible.

2. Failure or Damage to the Valve Stem

Another common cause of tire problems are valve stem issues. The tiny protrusion from your tire that you unscrew when you need to inflate it is called the valve stem. 

A corroded or damaged valve stem can cause air to leak out of the tire, making it go flat. Then the loose or dirt-clogged stems will cause tires to lose air.

3. Rubbed or Ripped Tire

A ripped or worn tire can end up in a very dangerous situation for you and for other drivers on the road. So be sure to check the tires frequently for any damages, such as worn or deeply scuffed areas. Or uneven wear on one side of the tire.

4. Vandalism 

Someone letting the air out of your tires is considered vandalism. This can get fixed easily and will not result in the need for a replacement. Just reflate the tire and be careful where you park your car next time. 

5. Over Pumped Tires

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. An over-pumped tire can create a dangerous pressure situation, often resulting in a blowout.

You can check your owners' manual or on the inside of the driver's side door of your car for the standard cold tire inflation pressure.

6. Alloy Wheel Leaks

Regular check of the tire pressure is recommended for car owners with aluminum wheels. If leakage becomes a recurring problem, you need to bring your car to a mechanic for a professional fix.

7. Road Hazards

Uneven roads, potholes and unexpected debris. There are a lot of things on the road that can damage your car's wheels, axles, and undercarriage. 

8. Separation of Tire and Rim by Collision with Another Object

This occurs when your tire pops a curb or if you rub the wheel sharply against the sidewalk. The tire slips slightly from the rim, causing a slow loss of air over time. This is something  you can try fixing on your own, but an experienced car mechanic will have the tools to take care of this easily.

9. Unexpected Damage

Since you can't prevent a flat tire, always drive safely and carefully. If you experience an unexpected blowout on the road: don’t slam on the brakes, allow the car to slow down naturally while steering to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights, and don’t attempt to change the tire yourself unless you are on the safe side of the road. 

Tools To Use

This is going to be some work so you will need the following:

• Pliers
• Car jack
• Lug wrench (tire iron)
• Tire plug kit
• Tape

How to Fix a Flat Tire

Having a punctured or flat tire is never easy. Since it happens unexpectedly most of the time, you should learn a thing or two about how to fix it. 

Here's how to fix a flat tire on a car by using a tire plug kit: 

1. Find the Leak

The first step is to take a close look at the tire to see if there’s a nail or something sharp that sticks out of it. Or check if there’s any holes or cuts. 

If you don't see anything wrong by visual inspection, inflate the tire to the appropriate pressure level and listen if there’s any hissing sound.  

If those two didn't work, mix some dish soap with water and brush or spray the mixture on the tire. If you see any bubbles on the leaking area, mark it with tape.  

2. Loosen the Lug Nuts and Jack the Car up

Loosen the lug nuts with an impact wrench or a lug wrench. Make sure to do this before jacking up the car. Otherwise, it can spin dangerously at the time of removing the nuts. 

Then jack up the car so you can remove the wheels. Keep your car on a concrete or hard surface and use jack stands to make sure the vehicle is stable. 

3. Remove the Lug Nuts and Clean the Hole

Remove the lug nuts completely and pull the wheel off the wheelbase. Then, clean the leaking area by inserting the rasp tool (included in the kit) in and out of the hole a few times.

4. Insert the Plug

 Thread the plug at the middle of the insertion tool and push into the hole. You can use an adhesive like a glue or rubber cement to lubricate the plug for easy insertion and to seal it better. Leave the plug at least for one minute to let the adhesive set and dry. Then, cut out the part of the plug protruding from the tire surface. 

5. Inflate the Tire

Fill the tire with the recommended air pressure. Then, re-install the wheel, remove the floor jack, and attach and tighten the lugs to the proper torque.  

Keep in mind that repairing a tire using a plug is not a permanent solution. You still need to take the tire to an auto repair shop for patching or replacement before driving it for another 20,000 miles.  

How To Replace A Flat Tire

If fixing a flat tire is not an effective solution, try replacing it with a new tire. Here are 2 easy steps that you can follow: 

Step 1: Removing the Flat Tire

Use a lug wrench for loosening the lug nuts on your flat tire. After you loosen all the nuts (do not remove them yet). Use the car jack to lift up the car side that you are working on. Make sure you do this on level ground to avoid the car from rolling or any accidents.  

After jacking up your car, remove the lug nuts and then take the flat tire off.

Step 2: Attaching The Spare

Inspect and check the spare wheel. Make sure that it has the same size as the one you are replacing. Then, reattach the lug nuts to the bolts. Lower the car jack until all the weight of the vehicle is back on the tire. Remove the car jack and lock down the lug nuts. 

Note: The spare is not recommended for long driving. Therefore, you should drive your car under 50 mph when using a temporary spare. Visit the nearest auto repair shop to get a tire replaced by a professional.

Conclusion

If you spend most of your time driving, you should know that having a flat tire is inevitable. Damaged tires are much more common during warmer weather and in areas with heavy construction. 

It’s important to know what to do and make sure you’re prepared before this situation happens. It's always recommended to do a maintenance check periodically to make sure that your car is equipped with the right tools and a working spare before it’s too late.