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Tyres > Help > Tyres Help > What to do with a flat tyre?
What does having a flat tyre mean?
A flat tyre is when the air pressure in your tyre drops significantly – leading to the tyre to deflate, lose shape and no longer be able to support the vehicle correctly.
This can make it difficult or even dangerous to drive your vehicle.
How to know you have a flat tyre?
There are a few signs that you have a flat tyre.
These include:
• Feeling the car pulling to one side when driving
• Hearing a strange thumping or flapping noise
• Feeling a lot of vibration in the steering wheel
• Seeing a bulge or tear in the tyre
• Seeing the tyre pressure warning light appear on your dashboard.
If you notice any of these, check your tyres as soon as possible.
How long can I drive on a flat tyre?
It's important not to drive on a flat tyre for any length of time.
Driving with a flat tyre(s) will lead to further damage to the tyre – and potentially your wheel rim and the suspension of your car.
You should not drive on a flat tyre for more than a few hundred yards or meters, at most.
What causes a flat tyre?
There are several reasons why you may experience a flat tyre, including:
• Punctures from nails, screws, or other sharp objects on the road
• Damage to the tyre from hitting a curb or pothole
• Wear and tear from driving over long distances or at high speeds
• Faulty valve stems or rims
• Over or under inflating the tyre
What to do with a flat tyre?
If you have a flat tyre, the first thing to do is to quickly and safely find a somewhere safe to pull over and stop.
Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. If it is safe to do so, check the damage to your tyre – try to work out if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.
If you have a spare tyre and the necessary tools, you can change a tyre yourself. If not, you may need to call a roadside assistance to help you.
What to do once you have changed your flat tyre?
Once you have replaced your tyre, ensure that the air pressure for all of your tyres is correct. It’s also a good time, if safe to do so, to check the other tyres for any sign of wear and tear.
Make sure the wheel nuts are tight and that the spare tyre is properly secure before you set off on the rest of your journey.
Replace your spare tyre as soon as possible. Most spare tyres are only fit for use for a limited amount of time and a new tyre will be required.