What to Do When You Get a Flat Tire on the Highway

Updated September 7, 2026

A flat tire on a highway requires attention to traffic, vehicle control and a safe stopping place. Once stopped, give the dispatcher the road, direction and nearest exit or marker. Call (319) 936-2108 with your vehicle, exact location and the service you need. The owner confirms suitability, availability, the quote and an estimated arrival time before dispatch.

Step 1: Get Off the Road Safely

As soon as you realize you have a flat, do not slam the brakes. Instead:

• Grip the steering wheel firmly and gradually reduce your speed. NHTSA advises against sudden braking, which can cause loss of control.
• Turn on your hazard lights immediately.
• Scan for a safe place to pull over. A wide shoulder, a rest area, or an exit ramp is ideal.
• On I-80 between Iowa City and the Quad Cities, exits can be far apart. Aim for the widest shoulder you can find.
• Never stop in the left lane, on a curve, or just over a hill where drivers behind you cannot see your vehicle.

Step 2: Make Yourself Visible

Once you are stopped and off the road as far as possible:

• Keep your hazard lights on.
• Use warning equipment only when it can be deployed without exposing yourself to moving traffic. Do not walk into the roadway to place it.
• If it is dark, turn on your interior dome light so other drivers can see you are there.
• A reflective vest may improve visibility, but it does not make working beside moving traffic safe.

Step 3: Decide Whether to Change It Yourself

Changing a tire on a highway shoulder is risky. Consider these factors:

• Traffic speed and volume — If vehicles are passing at 70 mph just feet away, it may be safer to call for help.
• Surface conditions — Soft ground, slopes, or gravel can cause a jack to slip. A flat, paved surface is essential.
• Weather — Rain, snow, or ice make highway tire changes extremely dangerous. Iowa winters are no time to be crouching on a highway shoulder.
• Your comfort level — If you have never changed a tire before, the highway shoulder is not the place to learn.

Step 4: Changing the Tire (If Safe to Do So)

If conditions are safe and you are confident:

• Follow the vehicle manual's parking, wheel-chocking and spare-change procedure on a firm, level surface away from traffic.
• Loosen the lug nuts slightly before jacking up the vehicle.
• Use only the designated jacking point and suitable equipment specified for the vehicle. Never work beneath a vehicle supported only by a tire-change jack.
• Raise the vehicle, remove the lug nuts, swap the flat for the spare, and tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Follow the manufacturer's tightening procedure and torque specification, and the spare's stated speed and distance limits. If you cannot complete those steps safely, request help.

Step 5: Call IC Roadside & Key

If you cannot change the tire safely, or do not have a usable spare, call (319) 936-2108. We can discuss a usable-spare change or a suitable new or used replacement. New or used replacement tires are subject to suitable fit and availability. Current replacement work includes taking the tire to a shop; confirm the handling, timing and complete quote before agreeing. A fully equipped mobile tire shop is a later upgrade. Confirm the current arrival estimate and work plan; do not assume all tire work can be completed beside the vehicle.