What to Do When You Get a Flat Tyre

A flat tyre always seems to happen at the worst possible moment: on the way to work, late at night or miles from home. Knowing what to do when you get a flat tyre can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a dangerous situation. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, in the right order, along with the mistakes to avoid and the options for getting back on the road quickly. It forms part of our wider mobile tyre fitting guide for Suffolk and Essex drivers.

If you are dealing with a flat tyre right now and need help, call Tyrex on 0751 066 6066. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Flat Tyre, Puncture or Blowout: What Is the Difference?

The right response depends on what has happened to the tyre, so it helps to know the terms.

What Is a Flat Tyre?

A flat tyre is any tyre that has lost enough air that it can no longer support the weight of the vehicle safely. The cause can be a puncture, a damaged valve, a bent wheel or a tyre that has come away from the rim.

What Is a Puncture?

A puncture happens when a sharp object such as a nail or screw pierces the tyre. Some punctures cause a sudden loss of air, while others cause a gradual leak. Our slow puncture guide explains how to spot the slower kind.

What Is a Tyre Blowout?

A blowout is a sudden and rapid loss of pressure, often with a loud bang. It can be caused by hitting a pothole or kerb, an old or damaged tyre, or running at very low pressure. A blowout at speed is the most dangerous type. Read our tyre blowout safety guide for more detail.

Signs You Have a Flat Tyre

You will not always hear a bang. Watch for these warning signs:

The steering pulls to one side
A thumping, flapping or rumbling noise from one corner of the car
The vehicle feels unusually wobbly or hard to control
A tyre pressure warning light on your dashboard
A tyre that looks visibly lower than the others

If you notice any of these while driving, treat it as a possible flat and follow the steps below.

What to Do When You Get a Flat Tyre: 7 Steps

Step 1: Stay Calm and Hold the Wheel Firmly

Grip the steering wheel with both hands. The car may pull to one side, especially if a front tyre has failed. Do not panic and do not stamp on the brakes.

Step 2: Ease Off the Accelerator and Slow Down Gradually

Lift off the accelerator smoothly and let the car slow down. Avoid sudden braking and sharp steering because both can cause you to lose control, particularly after a blowout.

Step 3: Switch On Your Hazard Lights and Pull Over Safely

Turn on your hazard lights and signal. Look for the safest place to stop: a lay-by, a quiet side road, a car park or a wide verge. Choose firm, level ground, away from bends and as far from moving traffic as possible. Try to avoid stopping on a slope, soft ground or the brow of a hill.

Step 4: Apply the Handbrake and Turn Off the Engine

Once stopped, apply the handbrake, put the car in park or first gear, and switch off the engine. Turn your front wheels away from the road if you are on a verge so the car rolls away from traffic if it moves.

Step 5: Get Everyone to Safety

If it is safe to do so, get all passengers out on the side away from traffic and move them well clear of the vehicle, behind a barrier or up a bank if possible. Do not leave children or pets near the road. If you cannot leave the vehicle safely, stay inside with your seatbelt on and call for help.

Step 6: Assess the Damage

Look at the tyre from a safe distance. Is it completely flat, torn or off the rim? Can you see a nail or screw? Remember that a tyre that has been driven on while flat is rarely repairable, a point we explain in our guide on whether you can drive on a flat tyre.

Step 7: Decide Between Changing It Yourself and Calling for Help

Your decision depends on where you are, the conditions and your confidence. We cover this choice in detail in the next section.

Should You Change the Wheel Yourself or Call for Help?

When Changing It Yourself May Be Reasonable

Changing a wheel yourself can be fine if all of the following apply: you are on firm, level ground well away from traffic, you have a working jack and wheel brace, you have a roadworthy spare, and the weather and light allow you to work safely. If your wheel has a locking nut, you also need the key. If you do not have it, see our guide on a lost locking wheel nut key.

When You Should Call a Professional Instead

It is safer to call for help if:

You are on a motorway, dual carriageway, busy A-road or a bend
It is dark, raining or visibility is poor
The ground is soft, sloping or uneven
You do not have a spare, jack or locking nut key
You have a space-saver spare and do not want to drive on it for long
You are alone, unwell or travelling with children
You are simply not confident doing it

A mobile tyre fitter can repair or replace the tyre at your location without you needing to touch the wheel. Our roadside tyre emergency guide explains who to call, even if you do not have breakdown cover.

What About Repair Kits and Space-Saver Spares?

Many newer cars come with a sealant repair kit or a space-saver spare instead of a full-size spare. These are temporary solutions. Sealant may not work on larger punctures or sidewall damage, and a space-saver spare has a speed and distance limit marked on it. Either way, you will need a proper repair or replacement soon afterwards.

What to Do If It Happens on a Motorway or Fast Road

A flat tyre on a fast road needs extra care.

Move to the hard shoulder or the nearest emergency area if you can, and stop as far to the left as possible.
Leave the vehicle by the left-hand doors and get everyone behind the barrier, well away from traffic.
Do not attempt to change the tyre on the carriageway or hard shoulder. It is too dangerous.
Call for help from a safe spot behind the barrier. If you feel at risk, call 999.
On roads without a hard shoulder, follow the signs to emergency areas. If you cannot reach one and cannot leave the vehicle safely, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on, keep your hazard lights on and call 999.

Our dedicated tyre blowout safety guide covers high-speed incidents in more depth.

What Not to Do With a Flat Tyre

Do not keep driving. Even a short distance can ruin the tyre and damage the wheel.
Do not brake hard or swerve if the tyre bursts at speed.
Do not stop on a bend or somewhere you cannot be seen.
Do not work on the wheel on soft ground or a slope.
Do not stand in the road or between your car and traffic.
Do not ignore a slowly deflating tyre. A small leak can become a blowout.

After the Tyre Is Fixed: What to Check

Once the problem is sorted, make sure you finish the job properly.

Check the other tyres. If one tyre failed, look for damage or low pressure on the others. Use our correct tyre pressure guide.
Check your tread depth. Worn tyres are more likely to puncture. See the UK tyre tread depth law for the legal limit.
Make sure the wheel is balanced. A correctly balanced wheel prevents vibration. Read wheel balancing explained.
Replace a temporary spare. Do not use a space-saver for longer than you need to.
Check wheel nut tightness. If you changed the wheel yourself, have the nuts checked with a torque wrench as soon as possible.

Repair or Replace? What Happens to the Damaged Tyre

Not every flat tyre needs replacing. A small puncture in the central tread area can often be repaired properly, which saves you money. However, sidewall damage, large holes, bulges, and tyres that have been driven on while flat usually cannot be repaired safely. We explain the rules in our guides on puncture repair vs tyre replacement and whether a sidewall puncture can be repaired. If you hit a pothole or kerb before the flat, read our tyre damage guide. You can also see our mobile puncture repair and mobile tyre repair services.

How to Reduce the Risk of a Flat Tyre

You cannot prevent every puncture, but you can lower your chances.

Check your tyre pressure monthly, and before long journeys.
Inspect your tyres regularly for nails, cuts, bulges and cracks.
Replace tyres when they wear down or age. Our guide on how often you should replace your tyres explains the signs.
Avoid potholes and kerbs wherever possible.
Know your tyre size, so you can order the right replacement quickly. See how to read tyre size.
Keep your locking wheel nut key somewhere you can always find it.

Call Tyrex for Flat Tyre Help in Suffolk & Essex

If you have a flat tyre and do not want to risk changing it yourself, call us. Our fully equipped vans carry budget, mid-range and premium tyres, so most jobs are completed in a single visit. We aim to reach you within 30 to 45 minutes for emergencies, and we cover Suffolk and Essex 24/7, including bank holidays. See our emergency and mobile tyre fitting page for more.

We help drivers in:

Frequently Asked Questions About Flat Tyres

What should I do first if I get a flat tyre while driving?

Stay calm, hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator and avoid sudden braking or sharp steering. Switch on your hazard lights, signal and slow down gradually, then pull over to a safe, level spot as far from traffic as possible.

Is it safe to change a flat tyre myself at the roadside?

Only if you are on firm, level ground well away from moving traffic and you have the right tools. On a busy road, a motorway or a bend, it is much safer to stay clear of the vehicle and call for help instead.

Can I drive a short distance on a flat tyre?

You should not. Driving on a flat tyre can destroy the tyre, damage the wheel and affect steering and braking. Only move the vehicle a very short distance if it is essential to reach a safer place to stop.

What if I do not have a spare wheel?

Many modern cars come with a repair kit or no spare at all. If you do not have a spare, or you are not comfortable using a repair kit, call a mobile tyre fitter who can repair or replace the tyre at your location.

Can a flat tyre be repaired or does it need replacing?

It depends on where the damage is and how far the car was driven while flat. A small puncture in the central tread area can often be repaired. Sidewall damage, large holes and tyres driven while flat usually need replacing.

How quickly can Tyrex reach me if I have a flat tyre?

For emergency call-outs we aim to reach you within 30 to 45 minutes across Suffolk and Essex, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Arrival times can vary with traffic and road conditions, and we will keep you updated.

Need Help With a Flat Tyre Right Now?

Do not take risks with a flat tyre. Call Tyrex on 0751 066 6066, email info@tyrexmobiletyre.co.uk or visit our contact page. We will come to you, wherever you are in Suffolk and Essex, and get you back on the road safely.

What to Do When You Get a Flat Tyre or Blowout: A Step-by-Step Guide