A flat tire or a brake repair on a motor vehicle is one of the most common problems encountered on Australian roads. Many people either know or have heard stories about the horrific road accidents that can occur because of a car or truck tire burst.

In Australia, a combination of fast-moving weather conditions and drivers unfamiliar with the roads can result in a flat tire. Several myths are surrounding the idea of how to prevent a flat tire. It’s important to dispel these myths and expose the simple, proven methods that can save you time and money.

Remove the flat! The most popular advice is to simply remove the tire and try to do it yourself, but this is not necessarily a good idea. You may not be familiar with the mechanics of removing a tire, especially if it’s an expensive spare tire that you may have borrowed from a friend. For this reason, it’s a good idea to let a professional Flat Tyre removal company deal with the job.

Do not forget the fire retardant mat! If you have a flat tire and your trip has been planned to be made in the very hot summer months, it may be necessary to invest in some fire retardant mat for your journey. This will help reduce the risk of a vehicle catching fire or catching on fire itself, particularly on a hot day.

Do not fill up the tank with gas! Even if you’re traveling around town with no service stations close by, there is still no reason to put fuel into the gas tank of your vehicle. Fuel is a flammable liquid and you may get some unwanted attention if you attempt to fuel up your vehicle on the side of the road. No, the best practice when traveling long distances, is to simply fill up your car with gas at your main service station.

Clean the area! If you have already caused a flat tire by coming across a clogged tire and are stuck at the traffic lights, use a vacuum cleaner to clean the outside of the vehicle. Not only does it make the inside of the vehicle clean, but it also prevents any additional road debris from being placed in your tire. Most tire stores sell cleaning products that are safe enough to use when cleaning the inside of a vehicle. However, using such cleaning products on the outside of the vehicle is a totally different issue.

Do not carry a phone call! When you have a flat tire, a roadside assistance plan may seem like the right choice. However, do not wait until you’re stranded on the side of the road to contact them.

Many people make the mistake of assuming that when you’ve got an emergency roadside assistance plan that they will turn up to your rescue and you’ll be able to drive yourself home. However, if you have a flat tire and need a tow to an emergency stop, a roadside assistance car will not arrive until your flat tire has been fixed.

Remember to be considerate of other motorists! If you have a flat tire on your car or truck, do not stop at the first off-ramp you see. Instead, try to follow the same procedure as you would in using another way to get to the other side of the road.

Ride across the sharp edge! When driving through a deep pothole or a few inches of mud that hasn’t been washed away, a little bit of extra caution is in order. When traveling on slippery roads, the driver should be prepared to use extra caution when going over the edge.

Keep the hazard lights on and the automatic hazard warning lights on when driving on the left side of the road and switch them off when driving on the right side of the road. Whenever you have a flat tire, it’s best to do everything possible to prevent any more damage from occurring.

If your vehicle is carrying passengers, then ensure you get commercial van insurance. Your passengers’ safety and belongings are protected under this type of insurance. If your vehicle is covered by dental insurance, then make sure you have a rental cover for your rented vehicle, you do not want it to be your last business venture.