Reno Towing - Emergency Roadside Service

Flat Tire Solutions -and When To Call For Help

We have come to end of our book review regarding the topic of flat tire service. I appreciate all that Julie Sussman, et al has shared with us in her book, Dare To Repair Your Car. Here's the excerpt below. I hope we have imparted valuable and essential information to all our readers.

Portable Air Compressor

A portable air compressor works by adding enough air to a low or flat tire to enable to get you back on the road until you can get it replaced. The upside is that it won't ruin the tire. Also, it's super easy – it's just like filling the tire up at the gas station. The downside to using this method is that it can take up to 20 minutes to fill a flat tire.

Before using the air compressor, you'll need to read the manufacturer's directions, as well as knowing the correct air pressure for your tire (refer to the car owner's manual or the vehicle's certification label located on the doorjamb on the driver's side).

Note: Remember to use the same safety rules for changing a flat.

The first thing you need to do is to check the air pressure in the low or flat tire (see "Checking Tire Pressure," pages I 25-26). Based on the reading, you'll know how much air you should be adding. Typically, for a flat tire, you won't need more than 35 to 40 psi.
Insert the 12-volt plug of the air compressor into the cigarette lighter inside your car (you'll need to leave the car door open). Remove the cap from the valve stem and place it in your pocket for safekeeping.

Place the valve/tire adapter over the valve stem and push down on the valve lock lever to secure it.

On the air compressor box, you'll see an "on/off" switch. Turn it "on" and watch the gauge. When the dial reaches the correct psi number needed, turn it "off." Release the adapter from the tire valve and remove the plug from the lighter. Replace the valve cap.
Note: The portable air compressor can get hot, so do not put it back inside its casing until it has cooled, which will probably take about 10 minutes. Drive to the nearest repair shop to get the tire fixed or replaced.

DIFM

Calling for Help

It's raining cats and dogs, you have your two young children in the car, and you get a flat. There's no way you're going outside to change flat, tire, so you decide to call for roadside assistance. And we completely agree with your decision. Sometimes, it's just not worth the hassle.

There are a few things that you need to do prior to contacting your auto club service or a towing company so that everything will run smoothly ... a lot smoother than the flat tire.

First, check the condition of the spare. A tow truck does not carry spare tires, so if you're spare is missing, or it's flat, you'll need to let them know. (For more information on what to tell the auto club service or towing company, see "Towing," page 299.) Second, be sure to follow the safety rules for getting off the road (see "Getting Off the Road," pages I 33-34)."

Follow our next articles for more safety tips while on the road!