Overview
More vehicles today are sold without a full-size spare — or any spare at all. When a tire fails on an Indiana road (or roads in general) and there's no backup, a calm and informed response makes all the difference. This guide covers four steps, what to avoid, and who to call.
The Four Steps
How to Respond to a Flat Tire Without a Spare
Exit the Live Lane Immediately
If the tire still has some air, use it. Ease off the accelerator and steer toward the nearest exit, parking area, or paved shoulder — avoid hard braking. Turn on your hazard lights right away and keep them on. If you can't reach a shoulder safely, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on and call 911.
Make Your Vehicle Visible to Other Drivers
Once stopped, exit from the passenger side and place warning devices at least 100 feet behind the vehicle — farther in fog, rain, or low light. Reflective triangles, flares, or LED beacons all work. If you don't have any, keep your hazards on and use a phone flashlight toward oncoming traffic from a safe distance off the road.
Call for Help
Once you're safely off the road, call for assistance. Don't drive further on a flat — it can damage the rim, leave debris on the road, and affect your steering. Even run-flat tires are typically limited to about 50 miles at reduced speed. See the contact section below for Indiana-specific options, and have a mile marker, exit number, or GPS location ready when you call.
Wait Safely Until Help Arrives
Get back in the vehicle and wait with the doors locked. Staying inside on the shoulder is safer than standing outside near traffic. If someone stops to offer help you didn't call, crack your window — you're not obligated to accept. Ask them to call 911 or wait nearby with their hazards on. In hot or cold conditions, run the engine in short intervals rather than continuously.
Indiana Resources
Who to Call for Roadside Help
Indiana State Police — *ISP (*477)
Dial *477 from a cell phone to reach ISP dispatch, available 24/7. Good for highway breakdowns, safety concerns, or when you need a trooper for traffic control.
Emergency — 911
Call 911 if anyone is injured, you feel unsafe, another vehicle has hit yours, or your car is stopped in a live lane and can't be moved.
Your Auto Insurance — Roadside Assistance
Most policies include roadside assistance and towing. Check your insurer's app or the back of your insurance card — coverage limits and tow distances vary.
AAA — 1-800-222-4357
Members get towing, flat service, jump-starts, and lockout help. Non-members can use pay-per-use service at the same number — rates and wait times will vary.
INDOT — Hoosier Helper Patrol
If stranded on an Indiana highway, call INDOT at 1-855-463-6848 or visit in.gov/indot to ask whether a Hoosier Helper patrol is available near you. It's a free service on select interstates that can push your vehicle to safety, provide a small amount of fuel, or help with a tire change if a spare is on hand. Coverage isn't statewide and availability isn't guaranteed, but it's worth a quick call before paying for a tow.
Local Tow Service
In rural Indiana, a local operator may reach you faster than a national dispatch. Search "tow truck near me" using your phone's GPS to find the closest option.
Quick Reference
Key Things to Remember
- Hazard lights on the moment the tire fails — before you reach a stopping point.
- Never stop in a travel lane if it can be avoided, even briefly.
- Warning devices go behind the vehicle, not in front of it.
- Driving on a fully flat tire risks rim damage, debris on the road, and loss of vehicle control.
- Your location is the most important piece of information when calling for help — note mile markers and exit numbers as you drive.
- Waiting inside the vehicle is safer than standing on the shoulder near traffic.