Why does it always seem like you only get a flat tire when you’re in a hurry? Sometimes it happens in the morning when you discover your vehicle has a flat just as you’re ready to head to work or when your rushing to your child’s daycare to pick them up and notice you’re car pulling to one side and is a bit sluggish or when your driving down the 405 freeway and get a blow out. Although these are all worst case scenarios, Orozco’s Auto Service of Long Beach Bixby Knolls understands, we know how inconvenient a flat tire can be. Tires can go flat for many reasons, including punctures, leaky valve stems, a damaged wheel or just worn tires. If you experience a flat or your tire is low on air, bring your vehicle to a safe stop as soon as possible without jeopardizing your safety or the people around you. If you’re stuck on the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights and raise your hood, if it’s a safe place to exit your vehicle. Once you are safely situated, you can then change to your spare tire, try a tire sealer/inflator or call for a local tow truck. If your tire is flat don’t try driving for even a short distance on a deflated tire because it can damage your tire beyond repair and more than likely destroy your rim.

Unfortunately, even if  you have a simple puncture you may not be able to get your tire repaired. Here are a few examples of why.

The Puncture Isn’t in A Safe Area They Can Patch
To repair a tire the puncture can’t be more than 20% away from the tires treads. If your puncture is to close the sidewall and is repaired, this can compromise the structure of the tire making it unsafe to travel on. Besides selling tires Orozco’s Auto Service shops have a big responsibility in keeping you safe, and they all follow industry standards and will not repair a puncture too close to either sidewall. Even if it’s close they won’t patch it to protect your safety and themselves from any liability.

Your Tire May Have Additional Issues
Even if you have a simple puncture there are several reasons your mechanic can’t just patch your tire. If your tire is too worn or if your tire has uneven wear or any of the metal parts inside are visible or your tire has a bubble, or a large chunk of road debris stuck into your tire, it is unrepairable. Unfortunately, if your tire wasn’t safe before the puncture, the tire shop won’t and shouldn’t try to repair it.

Run Flat Tires
Most auto repair shops won’t and should not repair run flat tires that have been punctured. Although, run flats are designed to get you to a repair shop or safely home within a certain distance with a common puncture, they’re not designed to be repaired or continue in service after having been driven when deflated.

If You’ve Driven To Far On A Flat
Today’s tires have a complex inner structure for the sidewall that isn’t designed to support a vehicle’s weight when not inflated. Sometimes you can get away with driving on a flat for a very short distance – meaning a few feet but not a few blocks. Driving just a few minutes on the flat will not only destroy the sidewall structure in your tire, but you may also need to get a new wheel to go with that new tire.

If you get a flat tire or think you have a slow leak and would like to have your tires checked, call Orozco’s Auto Service of Long Beach, Bixby Knolls today at 562-427-4256. Remember to always keep your vehicle in good condition to ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and those around you!

Orozco’s Auto Service Long Beach / Bixby Knolls – Los Angeles County CA
3619 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA USA
Call Today: 562-427-4256 – Auto/Fleet/Diesel Service Repair

https://orozcosautoservice.com

Orozco’s Auto Service has five convenient locations throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties Long Beach, Bellflower, Garden Grove or Fullerton!