A flat tire can turn into a roadside safety problem before it becomes a repair problem. If there is a crash, injury, fire, or immediate danger, contact emergency services first. For an ordinary breakdown, flat tire roadside assistance is most useful when you can describe your location clearly and stay out of moving traffic while help is arranged.

Get as far from moving traffic as you safely can

If the tire loses pressure while you are driving, focus on keeping the vehicle controlled and moving toward a safe stopping place. NHTSA advises drivers dealing with a blowout to stabilize the vehicle, slow gradually, and pull off the road where and when it is safe.

Once stopped, make the vehicle visible according to your owner’s manual and local conditions. Hazard lights may help other drivers recognize that you are stopped. Avoid standing beside traffic or walking around the vehicle when the shoulder is narrow or visibility is poor.

If the location feels unsafe, tell the roadside dispatcher. The exact position of the vehicle can affect how assistance is handled.

Do not start a tire change unless the location and vehicle make it safe

A spare tire in the trunk does not mean a roadside tire change is always appropriate. Jack points, lifting procedures, temporary-spare limits, and run-flat instructions vary by vehicle. The owner’s manual controls those details.

If you are close to traffic, on unstable ground, unsure about the equipment, or physically unable to do the job safely, request professional help. Jacking procedures vary by vehicle and equipment, so follow the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions rather than relying on a universal procedure.

Our Forms & Disclosures page links to the Route 66 brochure that lists flat-tire assistance among its roadside services. 

Have useful details ready for dispatch

Roadside providers can work faster when the initial request is specific. Before calling, gather what you can without putting yourself in danger:

  • your exact location, direction of travel, and a nearby landmark;
  • the vehicle year, make, model, and color;
  • which tire is affected and whether the damage is visible;
  • whether the vehicle carries a usable spare or manufacturer-provided inflator.

Keep a callback number available and mention any access issue, such as a parking garage or secured lot. After dispatch is arranged, follow the provider’s instructions and avoid moving into an unsafe position just to inspect the tire. Keep children and passengers in the safest available place for the specific location.

Check what the current service agreement actually covers

A brochure can show that flat-tire service existed in a particular plan description. It cannot establish the limits, exclusions, dispatch process, or current eligibility for every contract.

Review the Service Agreement tied to your coverage. Confirm whether tire changing, towing, or another service applies to the situation, and verify the current contact method before you need it. Do not rely on an old brochure phone number simply because the PDF remains online.

Reduce the chance of the next tire emergency

The NHTSA TireWise guidance recommends checking tire pressure, including the spare, at least monthly when tires are cold. It also advises regular tread and visible-damage checks.

Before longer trips or difficult-weather driving, NHTSA’s vehicle preparation guidance is another useful reference. A five-minute check cannot prevent every puncture, but it can reveal low pressure, worn tread, or an unusable spare before those problems leave you waiting at the roadside.