Quick Summary:
- Ease off, signal, hazards on, then stop far-right on straight shoulder.
- Stay in the car with belts on if traffic is close.
- Call roadside assistance first, then 911 if you feel unsafe.
- Take time-stamped photos of tyre, wheel, location, and receipts.
A tyre blowout on I-15 in extreme Las Vegas heat can feel sudden and chaotic. The priority is keeping everyone safe, then documenting what happened so your car hire agreement is protected from avoidable tyre and wheel charges. The good news is that a blowout is manageable if you follow a calm sequence, choose the right stopping place, and capture clear, time-stamped evidence.
This guide focuses on the I-15 corridor, where high speeds, limited shade, and summer temperatures can make standing outside dangerous. It also covers what to say when you request roadside assistance, and exactly which photos and receipts help show the damage was a blowout rather than misuse.
If you arranged a car hire through Hola Car Rentals for Las Vegas, keep your rental documents and the supplier’s roadside number accessible. Many travellers pick up at the airport, and the practical steps here apply regardless of whether you collected via Las Vegas airport car hire or another collection point.
First 30 seconds, control the car and protect passengers
A blowout often sounds like a bang, followed by vibration and a pull to one side. Your instinct may be to brake hard. In most cases, a gentle approach is safer.
Do: keep a firm grip on the wheel, look far ahead, and ease off the accelerator. Let the car slow gradually. If the steering feels unstable, avoid sudden inputs. When speed is dropping and you have space, signal right and begin moving towards the far-right side.
Don’t: slam on the brakes, swerve, or attempt an abrupt lane change across traffic. On I-15, traffic can be dense, and a sudden move can trigger a secondary collision that creates far more risk than the tyre failure itself.
As you move right, switch on hazards when you start to lose speed and you are clearly deviating from the flow. Hazards are most useful when you are slowing unexpectedly or stopped. If you can maintain traffic speed briefly while moving right, indicating first may communicate your intention better than hazards alone.
Where to stop on I-15, and where not to
Stopping location can be the difference between a safe wait and a dangerous situation. Choose the safest achievable option, even if it means driving slowly for an extra minute.
Best options: a wide right shoulder on a straight section, a designated pull-off, or an exit ramp shoulder that puts you away from fast-moving traffic. If you can reach a service area, petrol station, or well-lit car park without driving on the damaged tyre for long, that can be safer and easier for roadside access.
Avoid: stopping on a curve, on a narrow shoulder, near the crest of a hill, beside concrete barriers with no space, or on bridges. Also avoid stopping in gore points, the painted triangular areas where an exit lane splits, because other drivers may cut across them at speed.
If the tyre is shredding but the car remains controllable, it is often safer to creep to the next exit than to stop in a high-risk spot. Keep speed low, stay as far right as possible, and do not attempt to change the tyre in an exposed lane-edge position. Your car hire terms may also discourage self-repairs on busy highways, and roadside providers may refuse to service a location that is too dangerous.
When to use hazards, and what else to switch on
Use hazards any time you are travelling substantially below the flow, when you are on the shoulder, or when you are stopped. If visibility is reduced by dust or dusk, switch on headlights as well so rear lights are fully illuminated. At night, interior lights can make you more visible but may reduce your ability to see approaching traffic. Prioritise outside lighting and reflective triangles only if you can place them safely, which often is not realistic on I-15 in heavy traffic.
Once stopped, keep the wheels turned slightly away from traffic if you are on a shoulder. That way, if another vehicle hits you from behind, the car is more likely to move off the roadway rather than into live lanes.
Stay inside in extreme heat, unless it is clearly safer outside
In Las Vegas summer conditions, heat illness can develop quickly. If you are stopped on a narrow shoulder with fast traffic, staying inside with seatbelts on is usually safer than standing beside the car. Keep hazards on, remain buckled, and call for help.
If you smell smoke, see fire, or suspect a fuel leak, exit immediately and move well away from the roadway and the vehicle, ideally up the embankment and behind a barrier. Take your phone, water, and essential documents. If you have children or vulnerable passengers, the decision should prioritise exposure risk and traffic risk together.
Who to call, and what to say for roadside assistance
Start with the roadside assistance number provided by your rental supplier. If you booked a car hire via Hola Car Rentals, your confirmation paperwork typically lists the supplier and contact details. If you cannot find it, use your rental agreement in the glovebox, or call the number on the key fob tag if present. For general planning before you travel, keep your supplier information handy from the Las Vegas car hire page details and your confirmation email.
If you feel unsafe, cannot stop safely, or there is an accident, call 911 first. For a simple blowout with no collision, roadside assistance is usually the correct first call.
What to say: state that you have a tyre blowout on I-15, confirm you are on the shoulder, and give precise location details. Provide direction of travel (northbound or southbound), nearest exit number, and a mile marker if you can see one. If you used your phone map, read out a cross street or landmark. Mention whether the wheel rim appears damaged, whether the tyre is shredded, and whether the car is drivable at low speed to a safer exit if advised.
Ask these questions: whether they will dispatch a mobile tyre service, tow you to a tyre shop, or bring a spare. Ask for an estimated arrival time and a job reference number. Confirm whether you should stay with the vehicle, and whether you are authorised to purchase a replacement tyre yourself if needed.
If you are driving a larger vehicle, note it upfront, because dispatch differs. This matters if you arranged a people carrier or van through van hire in Las Vegas, where load weight and tyre sizes can affect availability.
Should you change the tyre yourself?
On I-15 in heat, changing a tyre on the shoulder is often a poor idea. It exposes you to traffic and heat, and many vehicles now lack a full spare. Even if you are capable, the safest approach is usually to let roadside professionals handle it.
If you are in a very safe location, the car is stable on level ground, and you have clear separation from traffic, you may decide to fit a spare or inflate a tyre temporarily. If you do, follow the vehicle instructions exactly and do not exceed the spare’s speed limitation. Avoid crawling under the car or placing any body parts where the jack could fail. If you are uncertain, wait for assistance.
Photos that protect you from avoidable tyre and wheel charges
Documentation is the difference between a straightforward incident and a disputed charge. Your goal is to show it was a sudden failure, not impact damage from a kerb, pothole strike, or driving on a flat for an extended time.
Take time-stamped photos in this order:
1) A wide shot showing the whole car, hazards on, and your position off the roadway. Include a visible mile marker, exit sign, or a recognisable landmark if possible.
2) A close photo of the damaged tyre showing the tread and sidewall. Capture any split, bulge, or tear pattern consistent with a blowout.
3) Photos of the wheel rim from multiple angles. Look for scraping, bends, or cracks. If there is no rim damage, make that clear with sharp, well-lit images.
4) The wheel well, suspension area, and underbody near the tyre. Do not touch hot parts, just document what is visible.
5) The dashboard showing the time, temperature (if displayed), and any tyre pressure warning light. This supports the heat context and timing.
6) A photo of the tyre valve and any tyre pressure reading if you have a gauge or the car shows live pressure.
7) If safe, a photo of the road surface near where you stopped, showing debris, sharp objects, or damage that may have caused the puncture. Do not walk into traffic to get this shot.
Also screenshot your phone’s map showing your location and the time. If you later have to explain why you drove slowly to an exit, your map timeline can help show you acted to reach a safer spot rather than continuing far on a flat.
Receipts and records to keep, even if you think you will not need them
Keep every receipt connected to the incident. This includes towing invoices, tyre replacement receipts, mobile tyre service fees, and any rideshare costs to reach a safe place if the vehicle is towed. If you bought water or first-aid supplies because you were stranded in heat, keep those too, as they can help demonstrate necessity and timeline.
Write down or screenshot: the roadside case number, the name of the agent, arrival time, and the tow operator details. If police attended, note the officer’s name and report number. Even when no report is created, the fact that you called can support your account.
If you use a major supplier in Las Vegas, their processes may differ slightly. For instance, travellers sometimes choose suppliers like Alamo car hire in Las Vegas or National car rental in Las Vegas, and each may have specific instructions for tyre incidents, approved repairers, and reimbursement rules. Follow the supplier’s instructions first, and document what you were told.
Common mistakes that lead to extra charges
Many disputed tyre and wheel charges come from a small number of avoidable errors:
Continuing too far on a flat. A blowout can destroy the sidewall quickly. Driving even a short distance can damage the rim. If you must move to safety, keep speed very low and distance minimal, then document why you moved.
Not reporting promptly. If you arrange your own repair without authorisation, you may lose reimbursement rights. Call roadside assistance first whenever possible, and keep a record of the call.
Insufficient photos. One blurry photo of a tyre is rarely enough. Take wide, medium, and close shots, and include context like signage and dashboard warnings.
Unsafe stopping choices. If you stop in a dangerous place and a second incident occurs, liability questions become more complex. Prioritise the safest available stop, even if it costs a tyre.
After the tyre is sorted, check the car before you continue
Before rejoining I-15, confirm the vehicle is roadworthy. If a spare is fitted, check the speed limitation and plan a direct route to a tyre shop or the rental return location. Listen for rubbing noises, steering pull, or new warning lights. If you hit debris during the blowout, ask the service provider to check for underbody damage.
When you later return the vehicle, present your documentation calmly. Provide the roadside reference number, your photos, and any receipts. Clear evidence reduces the chance of being held responsible for pre-existing issues or for wheel damage that did not occur.
FAQ
Q: Should I call 911 for a tyre blowout on I-15? A: Call 911 if there is a crash, injuries, fire, you cannot stop safely, or you feel in immediate danger. Otherwise, contact your rental roadside assistance first.
Q: Is it better to stop immediately or drive to the next exit? A: Stop as soon as you can do so safely. If the shoulder is dangerously narrow or on a curve, creeping to the next exit at very low speed can be safer, but limit distance to reduce rim damage.
Q: What photos matter most for avoiding tyre and wheel disputes? A: A wide location shot, close-ups of tyre and rim from multiple angles, dashboard warnings with time, and any relevant road debris photos, plus map screenshots showing time and place.
Q: Can I buy a tyre myself and claim it back? A: Sometimes, but you should get authorisation from the rental supplier or roadside provider first. Keep itemised receipts and note who approved the purchase, with time and case number.
Q: Should I change the tyre on the shoulder in Las Vegas heat? A: Usually no. Heat and high-speed traffic make it risky. If you cannot reach a safer spot, stay belted inside with hazards on and wait for roadside help unless there is fire or smoke.
