It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly. See Tires . If air goes out of a tire, It is much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a blowout, here are a few tips about what to expect and what to do:

If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to a stop well out of the traffic lane.

A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may require the same correction you would use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.

If a tire goes flat, and your vehicle has a compact spare tire, see Changing a Flat Tire . This information shows you how to use your vehicle's tire changing equipment and how to change a flat tire safely.

Caution: Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do maintenance or repairs is dangerous without the appropriate safety equipment and training. If a jack is provided with the vehicle, it is designed only for changing a flat tire. If it is used for anything else, you or others could be badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack is provided with the vehicle, only use it for changing a flat tire.

If your vehicle has 255/45ZR18 size tires, there is no spare tire, jack, or tire changing equipment. A tire inflator kit, included with your vehicle, may be used to seal small punctures in the tread area of the tire. See Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit .

Run-Flat Tires (STS-V)

If your vehicle has run-flat tires, there is no spare tire and no tire changing equipment. Run-flat tires can operate effectively with no air pressure for a limited distance and speed. These tires perform so well without any air pressure that a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) is used to alert you when there is a low tire condition.

Caution: When the low tire warning light is displayed on the instrument panel cluster, your vehicle's handling capabilities will be reduced during severe maneuvers. If you drive too fast, you could lose control of your vehicle. You or others could be injured. Do not drive over 55  mph (90 km/h) when the low tire warning light is displayed. Drive cautiously and check your tire pressures as soon as you can.

See Run-Flat Tires and Tire Pressure Monitor System , for additional information.

Caution: Special tools and procedures are required to service a run-flat tire. If these special tools and procedures are not used you or others could be injured and the vehicle could be damaged. Always be sure the proper tools and procedures, as described in the service manual, are used.

To order a service manual see Service Publications Ordering Information .