Whether you notice a bang, a thump, a wobble in the steering or a warning light, the first rule is the same: do not carry on as normal.
Step 1: Slow down and stay in control
Hold the steering wheel firmly. Lift off the accelerator gently and avoid sudden braking or steering. If a tyre has failed at speed, see tyre blowout on the motorway for a fuller version of this advice.
Step 2: Put your hazards on and find a safe place
Indicate and pull over somewhere safe, as far from traffic as you can. Avoid stopping on a bend, the brow of a hill or a narrow lane. Level, firm ground is best. If you are on a motorway, use the hard shoulder or emergency area and exit via the left-hand side.
Step 3: Get everyone out safely
On a fast road, passengers should leave the car through the side away from traffic and wait behind a barrier or well up the verge. On a quiet residential street, it is usually safe to stay near the car, but stay alert to passing traffic.
Step 4: Look at the tyre
Check which tyre is affected, and whether you can see a nail, cut or bulge. Do not pull out any object. Note the tyre size printed on the sidewall; see how to read tyre sizes. Do not drive further on a flat tyre; see can you drive on a flat tyre.
Step 5: Decide how to get it fixed
You have several options, each with pros and cons:
- Fit the spare yourself. Possible if you have one, the tools and a safe, level place. Not advised on a live road, a motorway or soft ground. Check locking nuts first; see lost locking wheel nut key.
- Use a repair kit. A sealant and compressor kit can get you moving for a short distance. It is a temporary fix, and does not suit sidewall damage.
- Call breakdown cover. Recovery services may fit your spare or tow you, but may not carry a replacement tyre.
- Call a mobile tyre fitter. A technician comes to you, repairs the tyre if it is suitable or fits a new one. See emergency tyre fitting and mobile tyre fitting.
For a comparison of spare options, read spare wheel, repair kit or run-flat.
Step 6: Repair or replace
Not every puncture can be repaired. A small hole in the central tread, with no sign of the tyre having been driven flat, can often be repaired from the inside. Sidewall and shoulder damage cannot be repaired. See puncture repair and mobile tyre repair. A tyre that has been driven flat or has a bulge is replaced; see tyre bulge in the sidewall.
Step 7: Check the other tyres and the wheel
After a puncture, check the other tyres' pressure and the rim for damage. Make sure the valve and TPMS sensor are fine; see TPMS light on and TPMS and valve replacement. Ask the technician to check the tyre on the opposite side of the axle for wear. If both need replacement, see replace tyres in pairs.
Common mistakes
- Driving "just a little further" on the flat.
- Pulling out the nail before the tyre is inspected.
- Using a sealant and forgetting to tell the fitter.
- Changing a wheel on a hard shoulder or soft verge.
- Forgetting to check the spare's pressure beforehand.
- Not tightening wheel nuts properly or rechecking after a short drive.
Prepare for next time
Keep the breakdown number and a tyre fitter's number in your phone. Know where your locking nut key is, whether you have a spare, and where the repair kit lives. Check pressures monthly, and look at tyres as you walk up to the car.
If you have a puncture right now, call TyreBlitz on 0800 772 0355 for a quote. We cover places like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds; check the areas list. Call now for a quote or book now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing to do after a puncture?
Slow down smoothly, put hazards on and move to a safe place. Do not brake hard.
Should I remove the nail?
No. Leave it in for the fitter to inspect.
Can I drive to a garage on a flat?
No. It can ruin the tyre and damage the wheel.
Can a mobile fitter come to me?
Yes where it is safe to work. Call now for a quote on 0800 772 0355.
Related Help
Need help with your tyres now?
Call now for a quote, or book now online. Phone 0800 772 0355.