Driving through the streets of Crete is an experience that’s unlike any other. With the amazing views of the island, it’s no wonder that many travelers make this their get-away destination. From traditional villages, white sand beaches, ancient ruins, and more, you’ll never run out of things to do in Crete. However, when it comes to driving a rental car in Crete, many things can happen. The most common problem that can occur to you is a sudden flat tire.
Whether it’s due to nails on the road, sharp rocks, or broken shards, a flat tire is certainly a problem you don’t want to deal with. But what happens when this unfortunate event happens to you? Find out below to know the answer!
A flat tire is a terrible condition, which often occurs at an inopportune time, and might even put a driver's safety in jeopardy. The cause of a flat tire has been attributed to a variety of factors. Here are the most common ones below:
The most common cause of a flat tire is getting cut by a sharp object. This usually happens when you accidentally drive over a sharp object like a nail, glass, metal shard, or even a piece of wood. While it may not seem like much, these objects can cause serious damage to your tire, resulting in a slow leak or even a sudden puncture. When such a thing happens, an accident may occur. This can lead to costly fines, especially if you don't have personal accident insurance.
Another common cause of a flat tire is driving on rough terrain. This can include anything from potholes to gravel roads. Your tires are designed to handle a certain amount of wear and tear, but rough terrain can cause them to fail.
Temperature changes cause the air pressure in your car's tire to gradually increase or drop. This is due to the fact that air contracts when cold and expands when heated. For example, every minus 12 degrees Celsius reduction in temperature causes your tire to lose around 2% of its air, and vice versa.
Over-inflation can cause flat tires by putting too much pressure on your car's tires. When a tire is overinflated, the footprint of the tire can shrink. To prevent a flat tire, it is critical to ensure the maximum air inflation limitation of your tires as a preventative step.
Preventing heat buildup and flatness requires maintaining correct tire inflation. It also reduces your fuel consumption by a large amount and extends the life of your tires.
There are several ways to determine if you have a flat tire. One of the most common is by looking at your car. If you see that your car is leaning to one side, this is a good indication that you have a flat tire. Another way to tell is by listening to your car. If you hear a thumping noise coming from your car, this is also a good indication that you have a flat tire. Knowing how to inspect your vehicle is among the top tips when renting a car.
Another way to determine if you have a flat tire is by looking at your car's odometer. If you see that your car is not moving even though you're pressing the gas pedal, this is a good indication that you have a flat tire.
Being aware of the signs of a flat tire can save you time and money since you can change your tire before it gets too damaged. Plus, it can help you avoid getting into an accident.
Once you discover your rental car has a flat tire, the first thing you should do is to turn on your hazard lights. This will warn other drivers that you're having car trouble and they should be cautious when driving near you. Next, find a safe place to pull over. Once you're in a safe location, put your car in park and turn off the engine.
Now that your car is safely pulled over, it's time to change your tire. If you don't know how to change a tire, don't worry! We've got you covered with our step-by-step guide on how to change a tire.
If you have a spare tire in your trunk, great! If not, you'll need to call a tow truck to take your car to the nearest service station.
To change your tire, you'll first need to loosen the lug nuts with a wrench. Once the lug nuts are loose, you can remove them by hand. Next, lift your car up with a jack and remove the flat tire. Then, put the spare tire on and tighten the lug nuts. Finally, lower your car back down to the ground and you're good to go!
When you have a flat tire, it's good to inform the company you're renting from so they can send someone to help you, too.
Read also:
▹ Traffic Violation Tickets in Crete
▹ What type of equipment is available with car rental in Crete?
