Introduction
Driving is one of the most stressful things we do, but it doesn’t have to be. Having a flat tyre is often considered to be the worst thing that can happen on your journey and may even give you a panic attack. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that this doesn’t happen in future.
Use Spare Wheel
The first thing you should do is to use the spare wheel. Most cars have this now, and it’s usually located in the boot or truck. If there is no spare wheel, call for help.
If you have to change a tyre yourself, make sure that you do it correctly with a 2 ton car jack. You can find out how by watching videos on YouTube or reading articles online as well as googling “how to change a tyre”.
If you don’t know how to change a tyre and cannot get someone else to help, then take your car into a garage where they will be able to do it for you at no cost.
Repair the Tyre
The first thing to do is to get out of the car and survey the damage. You want to make sure that you have a flat tyre and that it isn’t just something on the road (or inside your vehicle) that’s causing the issue.
If you can fix it yourself, then let’s begin. First and foremost, look at the instructions in your tyre repair kit; this will explain how to use a tyre repair kit properly. If you can’t fix it yourself or don’t have one in your car already (you should), then call AAA or 911 immediately and ask for help from professionals like this tyre service in Burleigh Heads who know exactly what they’re doing when they see punctured tyres; they’ll likely arrive at your location very quickly.
Contact Car Towing Services
Contact your breakdown recovery service. If you have a breakdown cover, this should be a no-brainer. However, if you don’t have it, then it might be worthwhile considering how much the repair will cost and whether or not paying for the work is worth it in comparison to what you would pay for another car.
Call the emergency services if you are on a motorway. The police will attend to help with further road closures if necessary and they may also arrange for other cars to pass through once they are done with their investigations (although this depends on where in the country you are).
Call a breakdown recovery service like this tow truck in Darwin if you’re not on a motorway or major road (or live nearby). This option isn’t free though so make sure you have sufficient funds before calling one.
Make a note of the location
When you have a flat tire, the first thing you should do is make a note of where your puncture is located. This will help you determine how to proceed when it comes time to change it. You also want to write down the name and location of the nearest service station or a safe place nearby where you can park and call for help.
Try to steer onto the breakdown lane
If you’re able to steer onto the breakdown lane, do so. But if you can’t, stay in your lane and try to slow down. If your vehicle is still moving too fast, steer into the right-hand lane and stop at the next exit.
Find somewhere safe to park your vehicle
If you have a puncture, you’ll want to find somewhere safe to park your vehicle. This is because the tyre can become unstable as it drops pressure and may cause another blowout or damage to other parts of your car.
Avoid parking on a bridge, in a tunnel, or on hills. Make sure that you are not parked in any areas where there are restrictions such as bus lanes or box junctions as this could result in fines for you if caught by traffic wardens or police officers who are patrolling those areas.
Turn on your hazard lights and put out warning triangles, if you have them.
First, turn on your hazard lights. This will alert other drivers to be cautious and give them time to slow down or pull over safely if possible. If you have warning triangles, put out at least one of them as far behind the vehicle as possible (and in a safe place). If not, use a reflective jacket or another object that can be seen from far away by other vehicles so they know what’s going on.
You don’t want to leave your car if it is dark or raining because this could make it even more difficult for others to see where you are standing—and that could cause even more accidents!
Call your breakdown recovery service or insurance company.
If you have a puncture while driving, the most important thing to do is call your breakdown recovery service or insurance company.
If you’re in no immediate danger and just need some help, call the police. If there’s an accident and someone needs medical attention, call for an ambulance as well. For example:
- “Hello? I’m stuck in traffic on the motorway.”
- “Emergency services? I would like to report a flat tire.”
Check your spare tyre before you leave home and keep the number of an emergency breakdown service in your car.
Check the tyre pressure and tread depth. Ensure that you have a spare wheel in your car, along with the jack and wheel nut spanner.
Make sure that the spare wheel is compatible with your car. The size of each of these components will vary depending on which vehicle you drive. For example, many modern cars now use a run-flat tyre as their standard spare (the same type used on most vehicles), while some older models still come equipped with traditional tyres with removable rims.
Conclusion
When you have a puncture while driving, it can be very scary and stressful. However, if you are prepared for this kind of situation then it will be easier to handle. Make sure that you always check your spare tyre before leaving home. Also, keep the number of an emergency breakdown service in your car just in case something happens when there’s nobody around who can help.
