Flat Tyre: What Now?

Secure the scene first

Hazard lights on, drive to a safe spot, and put on a hi-vis vest. Only change the tyre where it's safe: on level ground, not at the edge of a fast road, and not on the motorway hard shoulder.

How to recognise tyre damage

• The vehicle suddenly pulls to one side
• There's a flapping or thumping sound
• The tyre-pressure warning light comes on
• You hear a hissing sound, or the tyre visibly looks flat

Don't brake sharply; ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel firmly, and coast to a stop.

What your vehicle carries

• Spare wheel: change it if you're standing safely and know the procedure.
• Puncture kit (sealant and compressor): many new vehicles only carry this. It helps with small holes in the tread, not with sidewall damage.
• Run-flat tyres: allow you to continue at reduced speed. Details are in the owner's manual.

After a repair with a puncture kit, a speed limit of around 80 km/h and a short distance to the garage usually applies. The exact figures are on the kit.

Changing the wheel in five steps

1. Apply the handbrake, engage a gear, use a wheel chock if you have one.
2. Loosen the wheel nuts slightly while the wheel is still on the ground.
3. Raise the vehicle at the point specified by the manufacturer.
4. Change the wheel, screw the nuts on by hand.
5. Lower the vehicle and tighten the nuts in a crisscross pattern. Have them re-torqued with a torque wrench soon after.

When a towing service is better

• The tyre's sidewall is torn
• There's no spare wheel and the puncture kit doesn't help
• You're on the motorway, in a tunnel, or somewhere with poor visibility
• You can't loosen the wheel (locking nut, wheel lock) or it's dark and wet
• The jack or tools are missing

Direct transport to a tyre service is often the simplest solution. We'll take your vehicle there or to the garage of your choice.

After the change

Have the tyre pressure and wheel nuts checked soon. A space-saver spare is only meant for short distances. Have the damaged tyre inspected: a tyre driven on the rim can be damaged on the inside.