Flat Tyre on the Road? How to Handle It Safely

A flat tyre usually happens at the worst possible time: on the way to work, in the rain, or on a busy road with nowhere to stop. Knowing what to do keeps you safe and stops a small problem from turning into an expensive one.

Spotting a Flat Tyre While Driving

You'll usually feel it before you see it. Common signs include the car pulling to one side, a thudding or flapping noise, heavy or vibrating steering, or a tyre pressure warning light on the dashboard. A sudden blowout feels more dramatic, often with a loud bang and the car swerving.

What to Do Straight Away

1. Don't brake hard. Hold the steering wheel firmly and let the car slow down gradually.
2. Switch on your hazard lights so other drivers know there's a problem.
3. Find a safe place to stop. A lay-by, car park, side road or hard shoulder is far safer than a busy carriageway. Driving slowly on a flat for a short distance may ruin the tyre, but your safety matters more.
4. Get everyone out on the side away from traffic, and stand somewhere safe.

On a motorway, never try to change a wheel yourself on the hard shoulder. Move behind the barrier and call for help.

Changing the Wheel Yourself

If you're somewhere safe and away from traffic, you can change the wheel if you're confident doing it:

1. Make sure the car is on firm, level ground with the handbrake on and in gear (or Park for automatics).
2. Get the spare wheel, jack and wheel brace from the boot. Check your handbook for the jacking points.
3. Loosen the wheel nuts slightly before you lift the car. This stops the wheel from spinning.
4. Jack the car up until the flat tyre is just off the ground.
5. Remove the nuts and the wheel, fit the spare, and tighten the nuts by hand.
6. Lower the car, then tighten the nuts fully in a diagonal pattern.

Many cars have locking wheel nuts, which need a special adaptor that's usually kept in the glovebox or with the spare. Without it, the wheel can't come off.

No Spare Wheel?

Many newer cars come with a tyre inflation kit instead of a spare. These work well for small punctures in the tread, but not for large cuts, sidewall damage or blowouts. After using one, drive gently and get the tyre checked or replaced soon.

If you have a space-saver spare, it's only a temporary fix. Most are limited to 50mph, so check the sticker on the wheel and replace it with a full-size tyre as soon as you can.

When to Call for Help

There's no shame in calling a professional, especially if:

• You're on a motorway or a fast, busy road
• It's dark or the weather is bad
• You don't have a spare, a jack or the locking wheel nut key
• The wheel nuts are seized and won't move
• You simply don't feel confident doing it

A mobile wheel change service can come to you, fit your spare safely, and get you moving again. If the wheel can't be changed on site, the car can be recovered to a garage. In Greater Manchester, MW Recovery Services offers both around the clock.

Preventing Flat Tyres

• Check tyre pressures once a month and before long journeys.
• Check tread depth. The UK legal minimum is 1.6mm, but performance drops well before that.
• Look for cuts, bulges or nails in the tread.
• Check your spare is inflated and that you know where the jack and locking nut key are.
• Avoid potholes and kerbs where you can.

A flat tyre is one of the most common problems drivers face, and with a bit of preparation it's also one of the easiest to deal with safely.