If a Tire Goes FlatIt is unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you are driving,especially if you maintain your tires properly. SeeTires on page 5-57. If air goes out of a tire, it is muchmore likely to leak out slowly. But if you should everhave a “blowout”, here are a few tips about whatto expect and what to do:If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag thatpulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off theaccelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake toa stop well out of the traffic lane.A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like askid and may require the same correction you’d usein a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from theaccelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control bysteering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may bevery bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gentlybrake to a stop — well off the road if possible.If a tire goes flat, and your vehicle has a spare tire,see Changing a Flat Tire (CTS Only) on page 5-84.This information shows you how to use your vehicle’stire changing equipment and how to change a flattire safely.{CAUTION:Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to domaintenance or repairs is dangerous withoutthe appropriate safety equipment andtraining. The jack provided with your vehicleis designed only for changing a flat tire.If it is used for anything else, you or otherscould be badly injured or killed if the vehicleslips off the jack. Use the jack provided withyour vehicle only for changing a flat tire.5-82
