Flat tires are a common automotive nuisance that can quickly disrupt travel plans and become a major inconvenience if drivers do not have the necessary equipment and knowledge to change the tire promptly and properly. Common causes of flat tires include punctures from road hazards like nails, glass, rocky gravel, exposed metal, and potholes, lack of inflation that leads to a blowout from too much flexing and heat buildup, and exceeding the vehicle’s tire load rating from overloading. Warning signs of an under-inflated or fully flat tire include inability to maintain adequate speed, steering wheel vibration, vehicle pulling to one side, and visible tire deflation or odd wear patterns. When experiencing a flat, it is important to maintain control of the vehicle, braking gradually and coming to a controlled stop in a safe flat location out of traffic lanes. Changing a flat yourself requires a spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and road flares or cones for visibility.