Flatbed Towing

Flat Tire on Canyon Road or TV Highway? Here’s What Beaverton Drivers Should Do

A flat tire can turn a routine drive along Canyon Road or TV Highway into a stressful situation. These roads are busy, have limited shoulders in places, and show little margin for error. Below are practical, step-by-step actions Beaverton drivers should take to stay safe, get back on the road, and minimize damage.

Stay calm and get to a safe spot

• Turn on your hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers.
• Slow down gradually and steer to the right. If possible, exit the roadway at the nearest safe turn, driveway, parking lot or side street.
• Avoid stopping in traffic lanes or on blind curves. On Canyon Road and TV Highway, look for business driveways, wider shoulders, or intersections where you can pull completely off the pavement.

If you cannot reach a safe spot, stay in the vehicle with seatbelts on and call for help. If you feel unsafe or there is a crash risk, dial 911.

Assess the situation

Once stopped in a safe location:

• Check the tire to see if it’s shredded, punctured, or simply low on air.
• Note your surroundings (mile markers, cross streets, nearby businesses) so you can give clear directions when calling for help.
• If traffic is heavy or you’re on a narrow shoulder, do not attempt risky maneuvers like changing the tire in the lane of travel.

Decide whether to change the tire or call for help

Ask yourself:

• Do you have a full-size spare, a working jack and a lug wrench?
• Is the area safe to work in (wide shoulder, low traffic, good visibility)?
• Are you comfortable changing a tire?

If the answer is no to any of these, call roadside assistance. For busy corridors like TV Highway (OR‑8) and Canyon Road, professional help is often the safest choice.

If you change the tire yourself: quick checklist

If conditions are safe and you opt to change the tire, follow these essentials:

1. Park on level ground and apply the parking brake.
2. Use wheel chocks (or large rocks) on the opposite wheel if available.
3. Loosen lug nuts slightly before jacking the car up.
4. Raise the vehicle with the jack at the manufacturer’s recommended lift point.
5. Remove the flat, mount the spare, and hand-tighten lug nuts.
6. Lower the vehicle and fully tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
7. Check the spare’s pressure before driving.

Remember: many factory spares are “donut” spares with speed and distance limits (commonly 50 mph and 50–70 miles). Drive cautiously to a tire shop.

If you use a temporary fix

Products like sealants or a portable air compressor can get you to a nearby shop, but:

• Only use them as a temporary measure.
• Follow manufacturer guidance and get a professional inspection as soon as possible.

Whom to call in Beaverton

• Your roadside assistance provider (AAA, insurance-sponsored services, or an auto club) is usually the fastest option.
• Local tow and tire services can often respond quickly to Canyon Road and TV Highway locations; use a trusted app or search engine to find nearby providers.
• For non-emergency police assistance or to report a hazard, contact the Beaverton Police non-emergency number or Washington County authorities.
• For incidents affecting traffic flow on state highways, ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) can help with lane closures or debris removal.

What to do after you’re back on the road

• Get the damaged tire inspected immediately. A puncture near the sidewall or multiple punctures may mean the tire is not repairable.
• If you used a spare, replace it with a full-size tire as soon as possible and have your vehicle’s lug nuts re-torqued after a short drive.
• Consider having the wheel alignment checked—hitting a pothole or curb can cause alignment issues that accelerate tire wear.

Prepare now to avoid future stress

Keep a small roadside emergency kit in your car:

• Spare tire, jack, and lug wrench (and know how to use them)
• Portable tire inflator and tire pressure gauge
• Reflective vest and warning triangle
• Flashlight, gloves, and a basic tool kit
• Phone charger and a list of roadside numbers

Joining a roadside assistance program and regularly checking tire pressure and tread depth will reduce the chance your next drive on Canyon Road or TV Highway ends with a flat.

Flat tires happen, but knowing the right steps keeps you safe and helps you get back on the road quickly.