Many owners of relatively new vehicles might be surprised to know that cars rarely come with a spare tyre these days. Annoyingly, this is a fact that people usually only discover when they need that spare tyre.
With Christmas approaching and many people heading off for festive weekends, roads will be busier than normal, which makes it even more important that you know what to do if you get a flat and don’t have a spare.
Run flat tires
While continuing driving with a flat conventional tyre is dangerous and could cost you a lot more money than just the cost of replacing a tyre, run flat tyres have reinforced sidewalls that allow you to keep driving for up to 50 miles after you pick up a puncture. These tyres were introduced to compensate for the lack of a spare tyre and they pretty much do, but it is important to check your pressure regularly as it is harder to tell if a run flat tyre is low on air pressure, making it easier to get a puncture while affecting your vehicle’s handling and fuel economy.
Tyre repair kits
For vehicles that don’t come equipped with run flat tyres as standard, tyre repair kits are usually included. If you have replaced your original run flat tyre with the standard variety, make sure that you also invest in a tyre repair kit. The kits usually consist of a canister containing foam that coats the inside of the tyre (filling any hole) so you can reinflate it, or it may have external sealants. As always, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with your kit and what you need to do in case of an emergency, before the emergency actually happens.
Get help
If you have managed to make it so that you can limp to a garage to get your tyre repaired or replaced, it is a good idea to find the local garage or tyre specialists nearest to you and call ahead to see that they are open, and if they can help you. If you can’t fix your tyre on the roadside, either because it is too dangerous to do so, or because you don’t have the equipment or knowledge to do it, call roadside assistance. Remember to wait outside of your car in a safe place, and if you were unable to pull over safely, put your hazard lights on and place a warning triangle out to alert drivers.
Consider your options
Nobody plans to get a flat tyre, but it is something to consider when you buy a car, and when you plan a long journey. If you are not sure what you have in terms of tyres and repair kits, check your manual and have a good look around so that, if the time does come, you are suitably prepared.
Do you want to know more about run flat tyres? Follow Trust A Garage on Facebook or X.