How to tow a car with flat tires


Can you tow a car with a flat tire?

I was doing doughnuts in an abandoned junkyard (it seemed like fun at the time), and a giant nail punctured one of my tires. I’m in a bit of a pickle. Can you tow a car with a flat tire?

Jason Tushinski · Answered on Sep 14, 2022

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

Yes, you can tow a car with a flat tire, as it’s often a safer option to call a tow truck than to try and repair the tire on the side of the road, even if you know what you’re doing.

Dealing with a punctured tire is no fun. We could suggest repairing the tire yourself if you have a tire repair kit, but since you’re in an abandoned junkyard, we here at Jerry are going to suggest you go ahead and call that tow truck. You never know, the tow truck driver might be able to fix the flat themselves—no, they’re fine, they don’t need your help—or they’ll be able to tow your vehicle to a repair shop to get the tire fixed or replaced.

If you have towing and labor coverage—such as the roadside assistance plan offered by Jerry that costs just $6.99 per year and offers towing and a slew of other services—give them a call and a tow truck will be sent out, pronto.

So yes, you can tow a car with a flat tire. But we highly recommend that you stop doing doughnuts again in abandoned junkyards—for your own safety, of course.

Protect your car (yes, the one you do doughnuts in) with a robust car insurance policy by using Jerry! The average Jerry user saves more than $800 per year on car insurance!

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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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    Top 5 Things To Do If You Get a Flat Tire

    Top 5 Things To Do If You Get a Flat Tire

    Tiger Towing • Sep 23, 2019

    Car troubles are never fun, especially flat tires. It’s unsettling, inconvenient, and costly. When it comes to quality roadside assistance, everyone wants quality, trustworthy service. With Tiger Towing services, you can trust we’ll be on the scene quickly and get you taken care of in no time. To learn more about the services offered at Tiger Towing, visit our services page. 

    What To Do If You Get a Flat Tire in Columbia, Mo 

    A Guide On How To Protect Yourself While Changing A Flat Tire From mid-Missouri’s Most-Trusted Towing Service, Tiger Towing!

    Feeling a tire pop or flatten while on the road is never a good feeling. The thudding sensation your vehicle makes as you pull over creates a sense of panic: now what? Here’s our top five tips for dealing with a flat tire. 

    Tip 1 – Stay calm & pull over. 

    First, take a deep breath. Safely navigate off the road, turn your flashers on, and put your car in park. Make sure you put as much space as possible between you and oncoming traffic, so you can safely exit the vehicle when the time comes.

    Tip 2 – Stay put, and make any necessary phone calls or texts. 

    Car trouble can be incredibly unsettling. Before you call a roadside assistance service or try to get out of the car, stay where you are and call your employer, spouse, friend, or anyone else who needs to know where you are. 

    Tip 3 – No spare? Call Tiger Towing. 

    If you don’t have a spare or are dealing with issues besides the flat tire (car won’t start, etc.), not to worry. Tiger Towing (link to TT’s website) offers emergency roadside assistance, flat tire change and towing services. We’ll be on the scene quickly to help you out and get you back on the road safely. 

    Tip 4 – If you have a spare, use it.

    If you have a spare tire and know how to put it on, go for it! A spare tire is always a better option than a tire plug, which is more likely to bust your tire a second time due to poor hold. Here’s a quick crash course in tire replacement (only do this if you feel comfortable):

    • Once your car is on a level area away from traffic, put the gearshift in park (or reverse for a stick-shift vehicle) and set the parking brake.
    • Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for proper wheel chocking, use of jack, and tire replacement. Then, take out the spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and wheel chocks. If you have any passengers, have them get out of the car and move to a safe place away from the roadway.
    • Block the wheel that’s diagonally opposite the flat tire with two wheel chocks. Place one in front of the wheel and the other firmly behind it. This will keep the car from rolling once it’s raised up by the jack.
    • Assemble the jack and position it under the car. Jack up the vehicle just a little bit, so  the flat tire still touches the ground and can’t turn. Then, loosen the lug nuts (the devices that hold the wheel to the car) using the lug wrench.
    • Now, jack up the vehicle until the tire completely clears the ground. Remove the lug nuts so you can remove the wheel with the flat tire. Once the flat tire is out of the way, mount the wheel with the spare tire and rock it gently into position. Then, replace and tighten the lug nuts.
    • Lastly, lower the vehicle slowly and remove the jack. Tighten the lug nuts once more before putting all your tire changing equipment back into the trunk.  

    Tip 5 – Breathe easy.

    With Tiger Towing on your side, there’s no reason to stress. We get it, car trouble is the last thing anyone wants to deal with, and that’s why we provide efficient and friendly service, to make it a little easier.

    If you find yourself on the side of the road with a flat tire, don’t panic. Eliminate anxiety and lean on the experts at Tiger Towing. Our roadside assistance and towing services are the best in Columbia, Mo!

    FAQ’s About Flat Tires and How to Get a Tow Truck in Columbia, Mo

    Will low tire pressure give me a flat tire?

    • There’s not a concrete answer on this, but if your tire pressure light comes on, don’t ignore it. If your tire has low pressure, it can eventually lead to a flat, but it won’t go flat immediately. We recommend finding an air filling station at a gas station and checking the pressure on all of your tires, then filling accordingly. 

    Can I drive on a flat tire? How long? 

    • Driving on a flat tire won’t make it completely flat immediately, but it’s definitely a risk, as your tire is compromised at this point.

    What are common tire problems that could lead to a flat? 

    • Cracking and Bulging. This usually comes from hitting a pothole, curb, or debris.
    • Cupping (Also Called Scalloping) It happens when worn or damaged suspension components cause the tire to bounce as it travels, coming down harder on some spots of the tire than others. 
    • Feathering. This is caused when the tread ribs are worn lower on one side and higher on the other. This can be due to a combination of improper alignment settings, such as excessive toe and caster.

    How often should I rotate my tires? 

    • The general rule for tire rotations is every 5,000 to 7,5000 miles, or about every 6 months. If you have an older vehicle, it is recommended to have your tires rotated closer to every 3,000 miles, or every 3 months.

    How do I know when it is time to replace my tires? 

    • Generally, you should replace your tires when they reach approximately 4/32″ of remaining tread depth, which is about every 5 years. The better care you take of your tires, the longer they’ll last. This means getting routine rotations and adjustments as needed. 

    What if I need a tow truck? When do I call for one?

    • Call for a tow truck when it is unsafe for you to drive due to car troubles. Here are some examples of situations where you’d need towing services:
      • Vehicle won’t start
      • You’ve run out of gas
      • Flat tire and no spare
      • Car accident
    • Before you call, make sure to take photos of any damage and call your insurance company. In the wake of anxiety with car trouble, many people forget to do this, but it is crucial.  
    Call Tiger Towing for Towing Service in Columbia, Mo 

    Have a flat tire? Don’t hesitate to call Tiger Towing in Columbia, Mo. We offer the best towing service in Columbia, Mo and we are here to help! Car troubles are annoying, and we do what we can to make your experience a little more bearable. To learn more about our services, visit our website.

    Newer Post > < Older Post

    Vehicle evacuation with wheel lock - Evacuation Service 112

    Wheel lock is a fairly common occurrence that any motorist may encounter. If the faults are minor, the vehicle can be towed. But if the wheels do not rotate, you will have to rent a crane. Thanks to this technique, the evacuation of a car with wheel locks becomes a simple process.

    Why are the wheels blocked?

    A car of any make and model can lose control. Many drivers complain that during a long trip or after parking for 2-3 hours, the front or rear wheel may jam. Sometimes they stop spinning and get blocked for a variety of reasons:

    • wheel axles are mechanically damaged,
    • there are problems in the operation of the brake system,
    • the car had an accident,
    • the alarm system worked,
    • the locking systems failed.

    Many drivers in such situations complain that the front or rear wheels are blocked. Accordingly, independent control of the vehicle becomes impossible, and you have to call a tow truck.

    Features of evacuation when wheels are blocked

    If a wheel is blocked on a car or two at once, you will have to call special equipment to transport it to a service center. This can happen right while driving, and therefore close attention must be paid to the state of the brake system. If this still happened, you will have to call a tow truck. This process has a number of features:

    • standard loading requires the use of rolling carts that can support the heavy weight of the machine. The car is placed on the platform and then rolled onto the ramp in the usual way;
    • if the use of rolling carts is not possible, the use of hydraulic lifts, cranes is required, through which the damaged car is placed on the tow truck platform.

    If the rear wheels or front wheels are locked, evacuation requires unloading the gearbox. In order not to damage the body and trim elements of the car, the carts are installed with a jack. The rear wheels can jam for various reasons:

    • after a certain mileage, the brake pads need to be replaced, which wear out over time,
    • depressurization of the brake system occurs, resulting in blocking of the rear brake cylinder,
    • in some cases, the car's handbrake mechanism is stuck.

    The rear wheel may jam due to hydraulic failure. However, this malfunction can be determined independently, since liquid will leak under the standing machine. This indicates a depressurization of the brake cylinder or damage to the hose.


    What transport to transport?

    When the wheel lock has worked, the vehicle will have to be transported on special equipment. A conventional tow truck is not suitable for such a case, as it can harm the vehicle. That is why in most of these cases, cranes are used. These special devices are a truck with a mobile platform and a retractable boom. It is with the help of it that loading and unloading operations and the evacuation of cars are organized.

    The boom can be extended several meters forward, which makes loading the machine easier and faster. The crane has a rotator, through which you can turn the car in the air for its convenient location on the platform. It is necessary to call a towing crane in the following cases:

    • punctured or flat tire,
    • door lock occurred,
    • jammed ignition,
    • Steering lock has occurred,
    • wheels came off,
    • there are problems with the operation of the gearbox,
    • after the impact the wheel is crooked,
    • after the accident, the car was badly damaged.

    Before transport, the wheels are first secured. For this, four hooks on the traverse are used. This approach avoids deformation of the towed vehicle. Then the machine is transferred to the platform with reliable fixation of the wheels with tightening straps and special stops in front and behind. For greater reliability, winching can be used.


    What are the advantages of loader cranes?

    Mechanical locking of the wheels is a frequent occurrence that can happen at the most inopportune moment. In urban conditions, with such breakdowns, it is advisable to rent a tow truck with a crane, which has the following features:

    • versatility,
    • Mobility,
    • ease of use,
    • the possibility of replacing the crane and truck.

    All models of modern manipulators have modern security systems that meet the parameters of reliability and quality. Due to special sensors, the driver can assess the level of safety during loading.

    If evacuation is required when the wheels are turned out, the usual technique is not enough. For example, a tow truck with a sliding platform is most often used to transport vehicles that must first be removed from a ditch or ravine, as well as for vehicles that have received serious damage after an accident.


    Where to order?

    The wheels of a car can stall in a variety of situations. For example, the ABS locks the wheels during emergency braking, which makes the braking distance shorter, reducing the risk of an accident on the road. In such situations, you will need to rent a tow truck, and it is advisable to order a crane.

    In our company, you can order a tow truck with a crane-manipulator in case of any difficult situations on the road. We offer:

    • special equipment, which is selected for different situations,
    • individual work with each client,
    • prompt delivery of the car to the specified place,
    • registration of all necessary documentation.

    If the brakes have blocked the wheels, the car cannot move on its own, you will need to call a tow truck. You can do this at any time of the day through our company. We guarantee fast delivery of equipment to the desired location.

    Tow Truck Tips

    What you need to know about towing a car?

    In the life of every motorist or professional, there is a situation when a car breaks down on the road and it needs to be towed to the place of repair. There are several types of delivery of a faulty vehicle. There are 4 of them: flexible and rigid couplings, partial or full loading onto the tow truck platform. Company "General" offers tow truck services in Togliatti . We have vehicles in the direction of all types of evacuation.

    The following types of towing can be distinguished:

    Read more: What you need to know about towing a car?

    What to do if the car is stuck?

    The roads in Russia are very bad. In some cases, you can get stuck. In order to leave, you need to follow a number of simple rules. What you need if the car is stuck in the mud , sand or snow. So, let's start in order.

    Technical assistance - solution number one

    The most correct method of solving the problem is to call technical assistance. Towing services will allow you to quickly solve the problem and continue moving. You can also stop passing cars and ask you to tow you. People passing by can also be a solution to the problem - you need to ask to push your car. However, you can solve the problem yourself. In Tolyatti and the region, you can call the General company for help.

    Read more: What to do if the car is stuck?

    What to do if you run out of fuel?

    It doesn't matter if you are a beginner motorist or if you have many years of driving experience. On the road, many unforeseen situations can happen to anyone. One of these unforeseen cases - ran out of fuel . There may be several reasons: they didn’t refuel on time, the fuel level sensor is faulty, or they hoped that there would be enough fuel until your favorite gas station. The end result of all these cases is an unforeseen stopover. A logical question arises - what to do in such a situation? There are several options for getting out of this situation. Let's consider some of them.

    Read more: What to do if you run out of fuel?

    What should I do if my battery runs out on the road?

    If you have a car, then you had to face or in the future will have to face a situation when battery suddenly ran out on the road. There can be many reasons for this, but the question arises: what to do in such a situation? There are many ways to solve this problem, in this article we will consider some of them.

    Basic methods for solving the problem

    If you can ask ordinary passers-by, you can start the transport from the "pusher". This requires people to push your car, while you shift into second gear and quickly release the clutch. In most cases, this is enough and the car starts. Instead of passers-by, you can ask to pull a passing car in tow, the action with the gearbox and clutch pedal is the same as in the first case.

    Read more: What to do if the battery runs out on the road?

    Wheel puncture. What to do if there is no spare?

    Trouble on the road. Nobody is safe. Cars not only break down, but even a simple wheel puncture can cause a lot of problems. It is better if flat tire will be found at home or in the parking lot. If trouble caught you on the road, then do not panic. There are a number of services that you can call and help will arrive as soon as possible.

    Car standing in the middle of the road with a flat tire

    What can you do yourself? If you have a spare tire or compressor, then many problems can be avoided. However, for other unpredictable drivers, there are a number of measures that can help solve traffic problems. Initially, you should make sure that the wheel does not have a puncture. It may also be that "well-wishers" let him down. In this case, no repair is required. However, if a nail, screw or other foreign object is found in the wheel, repairs can hardly be avoided.

    Read more: Wheel puncture. What to do if there is no spare?

    How to light (charge) a car battery?

    Various situations may occur along the way. Sometimes even a dead battery can cause a lot of problems. Do not panic, any problem can be solved.

    Useful information for those affected

    The battery can be completely discharged if the headlights are not turned off, the alarm is often triggered, the vehicle has not been used for a long time and other reasons (including prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures). In this case, starting cables (special wires for "lighting up" a car) may be the only salvation.

    Read more: How to light (charge) a car battery?

    How to properly tow a car?

    If your vehicle breaks down, it must be towed to a parking lot or garage. This can be done in different ways. However, they all require certain rules to be followed in order to avoid new accidents.

    In practice, four main methods of towing are used:

    1. Flexible hitch;
    2. Partial loading method;
    3. Full load;
    4. Rigid hitch.

    Read more: How to properly tow a car?

    How to change a wheel on a car: step by step instructions

    A car is a great means of transportation. However, situations often occur when it is necessary to demonstrate knowledge and apply practical skills in order to maintain the vehicle's performance. For example, a tire puncture may occur on the road. Further movement will be impossible. So, following a simple algorithm, you can independently change the damaged wheel to a serviceable one, and continue driving.

    Changing wheel takes less than 10 minutes. Coordinated actions will allow you to quickly solve the problem and move on. If you have no desire to change the wheel yourself, then you can stop the car and ask for help. There will be people who will not refuse you.

    Read more: How to change a wheel on a car: step by step instructions

    How to transport oversized cargo by car?

    In the life of every car owner there comes a moment when it is necessary to transport bulky cargo by car . It can be transportation of furniture to the dacha, moving to a new house or something else. Of course, you can go the easy way and use the services of cargo transportation, but, having your own car, most motorists prefer to manage on their own.

    If your car is equipped with a roof rack, it will not be a problem to load large items , secure and transport .


    Learn more