Everyone gets a flat tyre sooner or later. These steps help you deal with it quickly and safely.
1. Stop safely
- Hold the steering wheel firmly and brake gently. Don't brake hard.
- Indicate and stop as far from the traffic as possible, ideally in a car park or on the hard shoulder.
- Switch on your hazard lights.
2. Stay safe
- Put on your high-visibility vest before you get out.
- Place the warning triangle about 30 metres behind your car, further on the motorway.
- On the motorway, let passengers wait behind the crash barrier.
3. Choose your solution
- Spare wheel: only change the wheel if you're in a safe place. A space-saver is usually limited to 80 km/h.
- Tyre repair kit: inject the sealant and inflate the tyre. This is a temporary solution.
- Run-flat tyre: drive on calmly to a tyre centre.
- Breakdown service: the safest choice on the motorway or when in doubt.
Can your tyre be repaired?
A punctured tyre can often be repaired if:
- the hole is in the tread, not in the sidewall or shoulder,
- the hole is no larger than about 6 mm,
- you haven't driven far on a flat tyre.
A repair is done from the inside, with a plug and a patch. A tyre with a repair in the sidewall may no longer be used.
After using a repair kit
Have your tyre checked as soon as possible. The sealant has to come out and the rim must be cleaned before a proper repair is possible.
Got a flat tyre? Call us and we'll tell you straight away when you can come in.
