In the case of a puncture, run-flat tires are able to travel a limited distance at a reduced speed (usually under 50 mph). A run flat tire can also provide more stability in the case of a tire blowout. Trim the end of the plug so that it is flush with the tire wall.Pull the tool from the puncture hole, leaving the plug in the tire.Insert the repair tool and the plug all the way into the puncture.

Expand the puncture hole and lubricate it to prepare for repair plug insertion.

Locate the tire that is losing air and remove debris from the puncture hole.

Familiarize yourself with these steps before you find yourself in an emergency. These should help you use your tire to drive your car to a mechanic. Now that you know to keep a repair kit in your car, here are some quick steps to temporarily patch a tire. While this is only a temporary fix, it is a cheap option that can save you from being stranded if the culprit is a hole in the tread. Kits often include sealant that can be used to cover small punctures on the tread, as well an air compressor to then inflate your tires. If you get a flat, a small patch can be just want you need to make it to a service stop. Here are some simple tips on what to do when you have a flat tire and no spare: 1. However, that doesn’t mean you’re automatically stranded. “We started seeing it a few years back in some of the cars we’d test, and noticed that car manufacturers were beginning to get rid of the spare tires.”

“It’s been a slow, progressive change,” says Gene Petersen, tire program manager for Consumer Reports. For about the past four years, most car manufacturers have been leaving an old standard off of new cars: the spare tire. If you haven’t bought a new car in a few years, you may be in for a surprise the next time you need to change your tire.

What to do when you have a flat tire