Tire guides: what to do, in plain steps

What do you do when a tire goes at the roadside?

Safety first, then the spare or a new tire. These guides cover the moment it happens.

• Flat tire on the interstate? What to do, step by step

  If you are in danger, call 911. If the car still rolls, slow down gently, signal and get to the next exit or a wide shoulder, turn on your hazards and wait away from traffic.

• Tire blowout: what to do, and why it happens

  Grip the wheel, keep the car pointed straight and stay off the brake pedal until it loses speed, then steer to a safe spot. A blowout is a sudden loss of air, and the tire can't be repaired after it.

• How long can you drive on a spare tire?

  A small "donut" spare is for short trips only: keep to the speed printed on its sidewall and your owner's manual, and replace it with a full tire soon. A full-size matching spare can be driven like a normal tire.

• Flat tire and no spare? What to do

  You have three options: a tire sealant and inflator kit if your car has one (a short-term fix), a mobile tire service that brings a new tire to you, or a tow to a shop.

Can your tire be repaired?

Where the damage is decides it. These guides explain the tire industry rules in plain words.

• Tire plug vs patch: which repair do you need?

  The proper repair is both: a plug fills the hole and a patch seals the inside, done with the tire off the wheel. A plug alone, pushed in from the outside, is not the full repair the tire industry calls for.

• Can a sidewall be repaired?

  No. A cut, hole or bulge in the sidewall or the shoulder can't be safely repaired, so the tire must be replaced.

• Nail in your tire: is it safe to drive?

  Leave the nail in and drive only as far as you must, slowly. If the nail is in the tread and the hole is ¼ inch or smaller, the tire can usually be repaired; near the edge or in the sidewall, it must be replaced.

Where do you get a tire when shops are closed?

Sundays and evenings are harder. This guide covers your options.

• Can you buy new tires on Sunday in Memphis?

  Yes, many Memphis tire stores open on Sunday, but often with shorter hours, so check the store's Google listing first. A mobile tire service can bring the tire to you if your size is on hand.

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Who writes these guides?

We write them ourselves. Each guide is dated, and we change the date whenever we check it again.

We cite outside sources by name and link them, so you can check what we say. If something is wrong or out of date, tell us and we fix it. More on who we are.