You have a flat tyre: What should you do?

You’re driving along when suddenly you feel a jolt. Your ride becomes bumpy and there’s an odd flapping sound outside. Finding a safe place to pull over, you get out and as you see the rubber quickly deflate, so too does your mood: you’ve got a flat tyre.

If you’ve come prepared, you can have the flat tyre off and the spare on in a jiff - otherwise you’ll be waiting for roadside assistance. But even the best of us can get caught unaware — if you’re new to changing tyres, read on to find out just how it’s done.

What to do if you have a flat tyre?

Getting a flat tyre can be a real bummer, but it doesn’t have to bring your trip to a grinding halt (at least, not for long). In just a few simple steps, you can assess your tyre to find the source of the problem, assemble the required tools and swap out the flat for your spare. Don’t have a spare? If you live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or call the Gold Coast home, the team at mycar can come to you with our mobile tyre fitting service.

Can you drive with a flat tyre?

You should avoid driving with a flat tyre. It might be tempting to drive with your flat to the nearest tyre shop, but it can end up being a costly mistake. The air inside a properly inflated tyre provides protection for the metal rim of the wheel. Without that cushioning, the wheel is almost guaranteed to get bent out of shape as it carries the weight of your car. That's several tonnes versus just a few measly kilos — suddenly, a small patch job or new tyre becomes an expensive rim replacement too.

If you notice one of your tyres is flat, your best bet is to pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so and whip out your spare or call for roadside assistance.

Is my tyre flat or punctured?

Wondering if you have a punctured tyre or if it has simply gone flat? The key difference here is time: while tyres will gradually lose air pressure over weeks or months, a puncture will have your tyre deflated in as little as a few seconds, or in some cases, over the course of several days, depending on the size of the puncture.

If the air has suddenly disappeared but you can’t find evidence of any holes or cracks in the tyre, check that the valve is in good working order and wearing its cap. A worn-out tyre may also lose pressure more quickly and will need to be replaced.

How to change a flat tyre?

Before changing a flat tyre, find a safe, level spot to work. Avoid pulling over near a corner where passing cars may not see you. Working on flat ground will help to keep your car steady. When you have parked, ensure the hand brake is on, and put on your hazard lights to increase visibility and warn approaching motorists. For added safety, include a high-visibility safety vest and reflective triangle in your tool kit and use these while you work.

1. Consult your vehicle manual before attempting to replace the wheel for any specific instructions.

2. Remove the hubcap, if there is one, to expose the lug nuts. For most cars this can be done using the flat end of the lug wrench.

3. Loosen the lug nuts using the lug wrench, turning in a counter-clockwise direction. If they are too stiff to turn by hand, use your foot or even your whole body weight to shift them.

4. Position the jack under the car, near the flat tyre. It is important to place it against the exposed metal part of the car, which is usually out of sight behind a plastic guard. If you aren’t sure where to position it, consult your vehicle manual.

5. Raise the car using the jack, about 15cm. Do not put any part of your body under the car while it is raised on the jack.

6. Unscrew and remove the lug nuts.

7. Remove the flat tyre, gripping it by the tread and gently pulling toward yourself. Lay the tyre flat on the ground so it doesn’t roll away.

8. Take your spare tyre and mount it onto the lug bolts so that the bolts show through the holes.

9. Screw the lug nuts on by hand.

10. Lower the vehicle so that the tyre is just touching the ground.

11. Use the lug wrench to firmly tighten each of the lug nuts.

12. Wind the jack all the way down and remove.

13. Put the hubcap back on.

14. Put your tools and the flat tyre back into the car.

15. Check the tyre pressure on your spare; if it is low, drive slowly and carefully to your nearest service centre to inflate it properly.

16. Contact your tyre technician. Spare tyres will get you out of a pickle, but aren’t designed for long-term use and shouldn’t be driven more than is absolutely necessary. Your technician can advise if the damaged tyre can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.

Flat tyre repair Vs new tyres

Copped a nail to the tyre? It may not be all doom and gloom: for small punctures (less than 5mm in diameter) located in the tread area of the tyre, you may be able to get away with a patch job. However, large punctures or those that happen in the shoulder or beading (the part closest to the wheel rim) cannot be repaired and requires a tyre replacement. A flat tyre with no noticeable damage may be suffering from old age, and in this case also needs to be replaced.

While it’s never fun to get a flat tyre, with a bit of know-how and the right tools, you can avoid the hassle of calling roadside assistance. Remember to find a safe place to pull over, and limit driving on the flat tyre to avoid damaging the rim. Whether the tyre has a puncture or is leaking air for other reasons, it’s important to have it looked at by a specialist and get the spare back in the boot as quickly as possible.

If you’re feeling stranded, and you don’t have a spare, call mycar for mobile tyre fitting — we can come to you!