A flat tire is one of the most common roadside problems — and one of the most manageable if you know what to do. Whether you are using your spare, limping to a shop, or dealing with a nail in the tread, here is exactly what to do.
Step 1: Pull over safely
The moment you feel or hear a flat, do not brake hard. Ease off the throttle, grip the steering wheel firmly, and steer to a safe location — a parking lot, wide shoulder, or exit ramp. Turn on your hazard lights immediately.
Never stop on an interstate unless there is absolutely no alternative. A blowout on a highway at speed is scary, but a controlled coast to the next exit is much safer than stopping in a travel lane.
Once stopped: put the car in park on level ground, set the parking brake, and confirm hazard lights are on.
Step 2: Assess before doing anything
Look at the tire. Is it fully flat or losing pressure slowly? Can you see the cause — a nail, screw, or foreign object in the tread? Is the sidewall damaged?
If the object is still in the tire and the tire is holding some air, it may be possible to drive slowly (under 20 mph) to a nearby shop. The object is plugging its own puncture. This only works for tread-zone punctures, not sidewall damage.
If the tire is a blowout — chunks missing, sidewall torn — do not attempt to drive it. You will destroy the rim.
Changing to your spare
Locate your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench — typically under a cargo mat in the trunk, or mounted underneath the bed of trucks. Consult your owner's manual for the exact jack points on your vehicle.
Loosen the lug nuts before jacking (it is easier when the tire is still on the ground — turn counterclockwise). Jack the vehicle until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground. Remove the lug nuts completely and swap the tires.
Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern — not circular — to avoid warping the hub. Torque to spec with a proper wrench when you get to a shop.
Full-size spare: drive normally to a shop for repair or replacement. Compact donut spare: these are typically rated for 50 mph maximum and 50–70 miles of use only. Get to a shop the same day.
Getting a flat professionally repaired
If the puncture is in the tread area (not the sidewall or shoulder), a tire shop can often repair it with a patch-plug combination. The tire is dismounted, the area is inspected from the inside, and a combined patch-plug is installed.
A proper patch-plug repair costs $15–30 and should last the life of the remaining tread. A plug-only repair (the roadside type) is considered temporary by most tire manufacturers.
The shop will also check the rim for damage, reseat the bead properly, and re-balance the tire. Total service time is usually 20–45 minutes.
When a flat cannot be repaired
Sidewall punctures or cuts: the sidewall flexes constantly while driving — a repair there will fail under load. Any sidewall damage means a new tire.
Shoulder-area damage: the area where the tread meets the sidewall is under too much stress to hold a repair reliably.
Multiple prior repairs in the same area, or repairs too close together, compromise structural integrity enough that a new tire is the right call.
Tread worn below 2/32" at the time of the flat: even a successful repair leaves you with a tire that needs immediate replacement anyway.
Frequently asked
Can I drive on a flat tire?
Only if absolutely necessary, and only for a very short distance at very low speed. Driving on a completely flat tire destroys the sidewall within a mile and can damage the rim. If the puncture is in the tread and the object is still embedded, you may be able to drive slowly to a nearby shop. Otherwise, use your spare.
How much does it cost to fix a flat tire?
A professional patch-plug repair at a tire shop is typically $15–30 and takes 20–45 minutes. If the tire needs replacement, you are looking at the cost of a new tire for your size. Many shops do flat repairs for free if you bought the tires from them.
How long does a tire repair take?
Most flat tire repairs at a shop take 20–45 minutes. A proper patch-plug repair involves dismounting the tire, inspecting the inside, applying the patch, remounting, and balancing. A plug-only repair is faster but is not a permanent fix.
Do I need to replace all four tires if one gets a flat?
Usually no — one tire can be replaced individually if the others still have adequate tread and are relatively close in brand and model. On AWD vehicles, the manufacturer often recommends matching all four tires in tread depth to avoid differential stress. Check your owner's manual if you drive an AWD.
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Last updated 2026-06-27. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.