How to Identify and Fix a Flat Tyre on the Road

Punctured tyre? Learn how to safely change or repair your tyre to get back on the road quickly. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for identifying tyre problems and performing emergency repairs.

Identifying a Flat Tyre

Before you can fix a flat tyre, you need to confirm that you actually have one. Here are the common signs:

• Vehicle pulling to one side - A flat tyre can cause your car to pull in the direction of the affected wheel
• Vibration or thumping - You might feel unusual vibrations in the steering wheel or hear thumping sounds
• Difficulty steering - A front tyre flat can make steering more difficult
• Low tyre pressure warning light - Modern cars will alert you with a dashboard warning
• Visual inspection - The affected tyre will appear flatter than the others when viewed from outside

What You'll Need

Before attempting to change a tyre, make sure you have these essential tools:

• Spare tyre (check regularly that it's properly inflated)
• Jack
• Lug wrench
• Wheel chocks or bricks (to prevent rolling)
• Reflective vest (for visibility if changing a tyre at night or in poor conditions)
• Torch (for nighttime emergencies)
• Gloves (to keep your hands clean and protect from sharp edges)

Step-by-Step Tyre Changing Process

1. Find a Safe Location

Pull over on level ground away from traffic. Avoid soft surfaces like grass or mud that might cause the jack to sink. Set your parking brake and turn on hazard lights.

2. Prepare Your Vehicle

Place wheel chocks or bricks on the opposite side of the flat tyre to prevent rolling. For example, if changing a rear right tyre, place chocks in front of the front left tyre.

3. Loosen the Lug Nuts

Use the lug wrench to loosen (but not remove) the lug nuts on the flat tyre. Turn counter-clockwise to loosen. Do this before jacking up the car while the wheel is still on the ground for better leverage.

4. Position the Jack

Place the jack under the designated jack point nearest to the flat tyre. Your owner's manual will show the correct locations. These are usually reinforced areas of the frame or chassis.

5. Raise the Vehicle

Carefully jack up the vehicle until the flat tyre is about 15cm off the ground. Raise it enough to fit the inflated spare tyre.

6. Remove the Flat Tyre

Completely unscrew the lug nuts and remove them. Carefully pull the flat tyre straight toward you to remove it from the wheel hub.

7. Mount the Spare Tyre

Align the spare tyre with the wheel bolts and push it into place. Put the lug nuts back on and tighten them by hand initially.

8. Lower the Vehicle and Fully Tighten

Partially lower the vehicle so the tyre touches the ground but still bears some weight on the jack. This prevents the wheel from spinning while you tighten. Tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern for even pressure. After tightening all nuts, completely lower the vehicle and remove the jack.

9. Final Checks

Give all lug nuts a final tightening check with the wrench. Store your flat tyre and all tools securely in your vehicle.

When to Call a Professional

While changing a tyre is a valuable skill, there are situations where it's better to call for professional help:

• If you're on a busy road with no safe space to change the tyre
• During extreme weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, or intense heat)
• If you have physical limitations that make changing a tyre difficult or dangerous
• When you don't have the necessary tools or a usable spare
• If you're unsure about any step in the process