Got a Flat Tyre? Here’s Exactly What You Should Do

A flat tyre is one of those things most drivers know they should be prepared for but aren’t, until it happens. The sudden pulling sensation, the flapping noise, the sinking feeling — and then the realisation that you need to sort this out right now.

Here’s a clear, practical guide to dealing with a flat tyre safely.

Step One: Don’t Brake Sharply

If a tyre deflates suddenly while you’re moving, your instinct might be to brake hard. Resist that. Sudden braking can cause you to lose control, especially if it’s a front tyre. Instead, hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands, ease off the accelerator gradually, and let the car slow naturally. Signal left and pull over when it’s safe to do so.

Step Two: Get Safely Off the Road

If you’re on a motorway, move to the hard shoulder. On a dual carriageway, pull as far left as possible. On a normal road, find a safe place to stop away from junctions, bends or narrow sections.

Turn your hazard lights on the moment you feel the tyre go. Set up a warning triangle if you have one — at least 45 metres behind the vehicle on a normal road (never on a motorway hard shoulder).

Do You Have a Spare Wheel?

This is the question that determines everything.

If you have a full-size spare: Follow the vehicle handbook instructions for changing the wheel. Use the jack provided, loosen the wheel nuts slightly before jacking the car up, replace the wheel, and tighten the nuts in a star pattern. Don’t fully tighten until the car is back on the ground. Check the pressure of the spare before driving.

If you have a space-saver spare (the smaller temporary wheel): Fit it, but be aware these are limited to 50mph and should only be used to get you to a garage. Don’t drive any distance on a motorway on a space-saver.

If you have no spare — tyre repair kit only: Many modern cars come with an aerosol sealant and a 12V compressor instead of a spare. This can seal small punctures in the tread area and reinflate the tyre. It won’t work on sidewall damage or blowouts. If it doesn’t seal, or if the tyre is too damaged, call for recovery.

What the Tyre Repair Kit Can’t Fix

A tyre inflation kit is not a solution for:

• Sidewall damage or cuts
• A blowout
• Large punctures (roughly bigger than 6mm in diameter)
• Visible wheel rim damage

If your tyre is in any of these conditions, the vehicle shouldn’t be driven. Call Jam’s Recovery on 07369 205 703 and we’ll bring it to a tyre fitting centre.

How to Know If It’s a Blowout vs. a Slow Puncture

A blowout happens suddenly and dramatically — the tyre fails while driving, usually making a loud bang and causing strong directional pull. A slow puncture deflates gradually — you might notice the car pulling slightly, or a low tyre pressure warning light, and only find the flat when you get back to the car.

Slow punctures are often caused by a nail or screw in the tread and can sometimes be repaired rather than replaced, depending on the location and size of the damage.

Preventing Flat Tyres

Check your tyre pressures monthly — including the spare if you have one. Under-inflated tyres are more vulnerable to punctures and blowouts, especially at motorway speeds. The correct pressures are in your vehicle handbook, usually on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame.

Inspect your tyres regularly for embedded objects, cracks in the sidewall or worn tread. The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, but safety experts recommend replacing at 3mm.

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*Stuck with a flat you can’t fix? Jam’s Breakdown & Recovery will come to you, change or repair your tyre, or transport your vehicle to a tyre centre. Call 07369 205 703, available 24/7.*