Here’s what drivers need to know.
If you get a flat tire on vacation, get to a safe location first and do not keep driving on a flat or severely underinflated tire. Once you are safe, check whether your vehicle has a spare tire, temporary spare, inflator kit, sealant kit, run-flat tires, or roadside assistance.
If a tire plug is used to stop the leak, treat it as temporary until the tire can be removed from the wheel, inspected from the inside, and properly repaired or replaced by a trained tire repair professional. A tire plug may help stop air from escaping, but a plug alone should not be treated as a proper permanent repair for a passenger or light truck tire used on public roads.
1. Get to a safe location first
A flat tire on vacation can be stressful, but your first priority is safety.
Slow down carefully. Avoid sudden braking or sharp steering. If possible, pull into a parking lot, rest area, gas station, wide shoulder, or another safe location away from traffic.
Turn on your hazard lights. Keep passengers away from traffic. If you are on a narrow shoulder, blind curve, bridge, hill, or busy highway, call roadside assistance instead of trying to inspect the tire yourself.
Action Step
Get the vehicle and passengers to the safest location available before worrying about the tire.
2. Do not keep driving on a flat tire
Driving on a flat tire can damage the tire internally. Even if the tire later holds air, it may no longer be safe to repair.
When a tire runs flat or severely underinflated, the sidewall and internal structure can flex too much and generate heat. That damage may not be visible from the outside.
If the tire is flat, shredded, smoking, bulging, or the vehicle feels unstable, stop driving as soon as it is safe.
Action Step
Do not try to “make it a few more miles” on a flat tire. Stopping sooner may help prevent additional tire damage.
We want to remind you that it is a temporary emergency puncture repair kit for highway tires. For your safety and optimal performance, we strongly recommend getting your highway tires repaired by a professional to ensure a proper and lasting solution.
3. Check what your vehicle actually has
Many drivers assume they have a spare tire. That is not always true.
Your vehicle may have a full-size spare, temporary spare, inflator kit, sealant kit, run-flat tires, roadside assistance coverage, or no spare tire at all.
Check your owner’s manual or emergency storage area so you know your options. If you have a temporary spare, follow the speed and distance limits listed on the spare or in your owner’s manual.
Action Step
Before your next road trip, confirm what emergency tire equipment your vehicle has. Do not wait until you are stranded to find out.
4. Treat tire plugs, sealants, and inflator kits as temporary
A tire plug may stop an air leak. That does not automatically mean the tire has been safely repaired.
A plug is usually installed from the outside of the tire. It can help fill the puncture channel and slow or stop air loss. That may be useful in an emergency, especially if you need to move the vehicle to a safer location or reach a nearby tire shop.
But a plug alone does not allow anyone to inspect the inside of the tire. It also does not confirm whether the tire is safe to return to service.
The same idea applies to tire sealants and inflator kits. They may help in the moment, but they should not be confused with a complete repair.
Action Step
If a plug, sealant, or inflator kit gets you moving, use it to get to a qualified tire repair shop. Do not treat it as the final repair.
5. Have the tire removed and inspected from the inside
A proper tire repair starts with removing the tire from the wheel.
This matters because the inside of the tire tells the rest of the story. When a nail, screw, or sharp object punctures a tire, it creates an injury path. That path can allow air to escape and may also allow moisture, dirt, or debris into the tire.
If the tire was driven while low on air, there may also be internal damage that cannot be seen from the outside.
A trained tire repair professional should inspect the inner liner, check for internal damage, confirm the puncture location, and determine whether the tire can be safely repaired.
Action Step
Ask the shop: “Will you remove the tire from the wheel and inspect the inside before deciding whether it can be repaired?”
6. Know when the tire should be replaced instead of repaired
Not every flat tire can be repaired.
A passenger or light truck tire may be repairable if the puncture is in the repairable tread area, the injury is within industry repair limits, and the tire passes a full internal inspection.
A tire may need to be replaced if:
- The puncture is in the sidewall or shoulder
- The puncture is too large
- The tire was driven while flat or severely underinflated
- There is internal damage
- The tire has a bulge, crack, separation, or exposed cords
- The tread is too worn
- There are multiple injuries too close together
- A previous improper repair is present
Replacing a tire while on vacation may feel inconvenient, but replacing an unsafe tire is better than trusting a tire that should not be back on the road.
Action Step
Ask the shop to explain why the tire can be repaired or why it needs to be replaced.
7. Check your tires before the next road trip
The best time to deal with tire issues is before vacation starts.
Before a summer road trip, check tire pressure, tread depth, visible damage, your spare tire or emergency kit, roadside assistance information, and any previous plugs or temporary repairs.
Use the tire pressure listed on the driver-side door placard or in your owner’s manual. Do not use the number molded on the tire sidewall as your normal inflation target.
If a tire has a slow leak, visible puncture, or previous plug, have it inspected before you leave. A tire that seems fine during short local drives may not be something you want to trust for hours of highway driving, summer heat, and a fully loaded vehicle.
Action Step
Make tire inspection part of your road trip checklist, just like fuel, directions, hotel reservations, and packing.
Why tire safety deserves attention
Tire safety is not just about avoiding inconvenience. It is about reducing risk.
NHTSA recommends checking tire pressure at least once a month, including the spare, when tires are cold. NHTSA also recommends checking tires before long trips and says underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure.
USTMA says a tire must be removed from the wheel assembly and inspected for possible damage before repair. USTMA also states that a plug alone is an unacceptable repair; a proper repair includes a rubber stem or plug to fill the puncture injury and a patch to seal the inner liner.
TIA similarly says on-the-wheel repairs like string plugs are not recommended and must be considered temporary. TIA also notes that the inside of the tire must be inspected because a simple nail in the tread can result in damage that cannot be seen from the outside.
FAQ: Tire Plugs, Flat Tires, and Summer Road Trips
What should I do first if I get a flat tire on vacation?
Get to a safe location away from traffic, turn on your hazard lights, and avoid driving on the flat tire. Then check your spare, inflator kit, or roadside assistance options.
Is a tire plug safe for road trips?
A tire plug alone should not be treated as a proper permanent repair for a passenger or light truck tire. It may help stop air loss temporarily, but the tire should be removed from the wheel, inspected from the inside, and properly repaired or replaced before long-distance driving.
Can I drive on a plugged tire?
A plugged tire may hold air temporarily, but it should be inspected by a trained tire repair professional before normal driving or highway travel.
Why does the tire need to come off the wheel?
The tire must be removed from the wheel so the inside can be inspected for internal damage, inner liner damage, signs of underinflation, and whether the puncture is in a repairable area.
Can a tire with a nail or screw in it be repaired?
Sometimes. A tire may be repairable if the puncture is in the repairable tread area, the injury is within size limits, and the tire has no internal damage. A trained tire professional should make that decision after inspection.
What should I check before a summer road trip?
Check tire pressure, tread depth, visible damage, your spare tire or emergency kit, roadside assistance information, and any previous tire repairs. If a tire has been plugged or has a slow leak, have it inspected before the trip.
A flat tire on vacation can turn a good trip stressful fast. A plug, sealant, spare, or inflator may help you get to safety, but temporary fixes should not be confused with proper tire repairs.
Before your next summer road trip, check your tire pressure, inspect your tread, look for damage, and make sure you know what emergency equipment your vehicle has.
And if you get a flat while you are away from home, remember this:
Get safe first.
Do not drive on a flat.
Treat temporary repairs as temporary.
Have the tire inspected before continuing the trip.
References
- USTMA states that tires must be removed from the wheel for inspection and that a plug alone is an unacceptable repair; a proper repair fills the injury and seals the inner liner
- TIA says on-the-wheel repairs like string plugs are not recommended and must be considered temporary
- NHTSA recommends checking tire pressure monthly and before long trips, including the spare, and notes that underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure