How To Repair a Flat Tyre
If you find that you’re far away from home or a tyre repair shop, and you suddenly get a flat tyre, this is your perfect guide on how to fix it yourself.
Get your car ready
If your tyre goes flat while you’re driving, you’ll likely hear a loud thump, feel a vibration and you’ll notice a change in the steering. The drive will likely be noticeably more uncomfortable too.
The first thing you need to do if this happens while you’re driving is switch on your hazard lights to make other drivers aware. Park in a safe place, even if it does risk damaging the tyre and wheel rim further.
At this point ensure your car is properly parked and stable too, preferably on flat ground. Then put your high vis jacket on, if you have one, and place your warning triangle at least 45 metres away from your car.
Use your spare tyre
This is one of the most reliable options to fix a flat tyre.
You’ll need the following tools to change your tyre:
- A wrench to remove the wheel nuts
- A jack to lift the car up
- Wheel nut key for if locking nuts are fitted
- Your car handbook - this will show you how to use the car jack and other tools to change the tyre safely
The majority of cars will come with all this equipment as standard, but if not, you can always move onto the next option.
TIP- It’s vital to not only check your tyres on a weekly basis, but also the spare too. This includes the tyre pressure and also checks you have all the tools you’ll need to fit your spare tyre.
How to fit a spare tyre
1) Loosen the wheel nuts but don’t remove them all the way
2) Block off the rear wheels so the car doesn’t roll anywhere (you can do this with a brick)
3) Jack up the car
4) Finish removing the wheel nuts and take off the wheel
5) Slide the spare tyre on in line with where the wheel nuts should go, screw them tight and then lower the car using the jack
Remember, spare tyres aren’t intended to be a long term replacement, so ensure you get the tyre properly changed as soon as possible.
Use a tyre repair kit
You’ll once again need to remove the tyre, then spin it and search for the puncture. You can always drive a little forwards or backwards as an alternative.
Check both the tread and where the rim and tyre meet too. If you find any damage to the sidewall, because this is structural damage, the entire tyre needs to be completely replaced.
A tyre repair kit is primarily meant to be used if you find a nail or other object in your tyre that has caused the puncture.
A lot of the time you’ll have a tyre sealant that you have to connect to the tyre valve which gets pushed into the tyre and seals the puncture from the inside. Here’s an example. The way you use the sealant depends on which one you buy, so always check the instructions before you use it.
Call for help
At Bob Davies we offer warranties courtesy of the RAC. Various levels are available including Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus, which all include breakdown cover, and can give you peace of mind in the event you get a flat tyre. Explore our deals today by visiting our warranty page or by getting in touch with a member of our team.