You can’t control when and where you have a blow out, but you can prepare for how you’re going to handle it when it does happen. For instance, if you have to change a tire on a busy road these simple safety tips will get you back on the road in one piece.
Safety Tips For Changing A Tire On A Busy Road
Tip #1: Get As Far Off The Road As You Can
Whether you’re on two-lane blacktop or an 8-lane superhighway, you need to get your car as far out of the way as possible. If you can put the flat tire on the side of the car facing away from traffic then, you’re already much safer than you were moments before.
Tip #2: Clearly Mark That There’s An Emergency
Putting on your hazard lights will let other drivers know there’s something wrong, but that’s just the start. You should always have road flares in your trunk, along with portable road cones or signs to help direct traffic into the lane away from your car. These signs will help you create a little breathing room around your car, and they’ll give you space to change out the tire.
Tip #3: Make Sure You Have Solid, Flat Ground For Your Jack
Before you can change your tire , you need to jack the car up. The jack must be set against the frame of the vehicle to bear its weight, but it also needs to be set on flat ground that’s sturdy. If you jack your car up on an angle then, the jack will likely slip. Worse, the car could roll backward, or down an incline. These risks are bad enough in normal circumstance, but on a busy road they can get even worse.
Tip #4: Be Aware of Your Surroundings
It might seem like common sense, but if you’re changing a tire on a busy road you need to be aware of the traffic around you. No matter how many precautions you take or what signs you put out, there is always a danger. If you have someone with you it’s a good idea to have that person act as a lookout, but you shouldn’t get so involved with the tire that you don’t know what’s coming your way.
Have you had any close calls while changing a tire? Let us know below.
