Once you're safely stopped, check whether you have a usable spare and a safe place to change it. If you don't have the tools, aren't comfortable doing the work, or are stranded somewhere unsafe, call Rexburg Lock & Key at (208) 483-1153. We offer 24/7 roadside tire change assistance in Rexburg and surrounding areas.
1. Slow Down and Stop Safely
If a tire suddenly loses air while you're driving, hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and avoid abrupt braking or steering. Turn on your hazard lights and pull out of traffic when you can do so safely.
Check your surroundings before getting out. A tire on the traffic side of the car can put you dangerously close to passing vehicles. Don't attempt a tire change where you or someone helping could be struck. If you or your passengers are in immediate danger, call 911.
If you're unsure what to do where you've stopped, call Rexburg Lock & Key at (208) 483-1153 and explain your location.
2. Check Whether You Have a Usable Spare
Don't assume there's a spare just because there's space for one in the trunk. Some vehicles come with a tire mobility kit instead, and a spare that has sat unused for years may need air.
Before considering a tire change, check for:
- A spare tire that is in usable condition and inflated to the pressure specified for it.
- The correct jack and a lug wrench suitable for your vehicle.
- The locking-wheel-nut key, if your wheels use locking nuts.
- Your owner's manual, which identifies the proper lifting points and procedure.
Missing equipment is a good reason to ask for help. Don't improvise with a jack that isn't suitable for the vehicle.
3. Can You Safely Put On the Spare Where You Are?
Before raising the car, look at the ground and passing traffic. You need firm, level, non-slippery ground, enough light, and room to work away from traffic. An exposed shoulder, ice, a slope, or soft ground means you should leave the jack alone and call us.
Even in a safe parking spot, missing tools or difficulty lifting the wheel can make help the better option. You don't have to try first.
If you decide to put on the spare yourself, follow the full tire-changing procedure in your owner's manual. Secure the car against movement and use the specified lifting point. Nobody should be inside while it's raised. Never put any part of your body beneath a car supported only by a jack. If you're unsure you can do it safely, call for assistance.
What If You Don't Have a Spare?
A mobility kit may temporarily help with a small tread puncture if the damage is within the limits described in the kit's instructions. It won't fix every flat, including a shredded tire or sidewall damage. Read the instructions before using it.
Don't assume your vehicle has run-flat tires. If your vehicle does have run-flat tires, follow that specific tire manufacturer's restrictions for driving after pressure loss. There is no single distance or speed limit that applies to every run-flat tire.
Call us and describe what you have available and what happened to the tire. We can discuss whether tire change assistance is possible in your situation.
Call for 24/7 Tire Change Assistance in Rexburg
Call Rexburg Lock & Key at (208) 483-1153. Tell us your location, your vehicle's make and model, and whether you have a usable spare and any required locking-wheel-nut key. Let us know if traffic, weather, or the ground makes the location unsafe.
After fitting a temporary spare, follow its labeling and your vehicle's manual for speed, distance, and other restrictions. Arrange a proper repair or replacement for the damaged tire; a temporary spare isn't meant for everyday driving.
For 24/7 tire change assistance in Rexburg and surrounding areas, call (208) 483-1153.
