Changing a flat tire

1. Prevention is the best cure for a flat tire! Check the air pressure in your tires periodically (every 3 months) and chances are, you'll rarely, if ever, face the situation.


2. Unless you love dirtying your hands or otherwise get a macho kick out of it, you'll likely prefer not changing a flat tire yourself. I certainly loathed the idea. So the next best thing is to take insurance. America sells insurance for everything! The kind of insurance that helps you with flat tires (or a dead battery or any other similar problem) is termed "emergency roadside assistance". You can purchase roadside assistance as a rider with your normal automobile insurance policy or you could buy an independent policy. If you opt for the latter, I would recommend the policy by the American Automobile Association (AAA) - pronounced Triple A. Its cheap (the premium is less than $10 a month for a couple) and very popular. If you do have a breakdown, call the designated helpline 24/7 and a mechanic will reach you, wherever you are. Assistance is free of charge for things like changing a flat tire or providing a limited amount of gasoline if you're empty.


3. If you'd rather change the flat yourself, here's a good video to guide you:

Changing a flat tire - video



4. And finally, here's a good tip. Keep a can of Flat Tire Inflator or Sealer (any brand) in your trunk at all times. You can buy one from a Home Depot, a Walmart or any gas station. If you do have a flat and either don't want to change tires or don't have a spare tire, use the sealer to plug the puncture and you'll be back on the road in minutes. The sealer connects to your tire through a hose and plugs holes or leaks using a high pressure solution. You can later go and get your tire fixed at your convenience.

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