What to Do If Your Tyre Has a Puncture
Tyres · Posted by: Mobile Tyres 2 U · 11th August 2020
Punctures are the bane of all motorists and, unfortunately, they can be pretty common too, particularly when we’re not careful enough about where we drive and how we treat our vehicles.
But don’t worry, if you’ve noticed that one of your tyres has a puncture, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to be answering some key questions so you’re armed with the right knowledge to handle the situation.
Are their different kinds of punctures?
Generally, you can split punctures into two main types:
Slow punctures: slow punctures will take a proper inspection to fully identify and are usually characterised by slight deflation, sidewall damage or noticeable debris stuck in the surface.
Rapid punctures: these sorts of punctures don’t usually require a visual inspection, as they can be felt while driving. That is, given that one of your tyres will be quickly losing pressure, the change in your vehicle’s handling will be extremely obvious.
Can you drive with a flat tyre?
To put it bluntly, if you have a flat tyre, you shouldn’t be driving. If you notice that you have a flat tyre while out on the road, the best thing to do is stop in a safe location as soon as possible. Always bear this in mind:
Driving a short distance on a flat tyre in order to find a safe place to assess the damage is acceptable in the eyes of the law. However, driving an unnecessarily long distance on a flat tyre is considered dangerous and reckless, and could net you a fine and points on your license.
What kind of puncture can I repair at the roadside?
While some punctures can be repaired at the side of the road using tyre foam, not all can. If you have a rip in the tyre sidewall, a hole over 4mm in the tread or the wheel itself is damaged, a simple repair kit just won’t cut it. In such cases, it’s best to call a mobile tyre technician to help you solve the problem.
Also, if, upon inspection, you notice that there is a nail or piece of glass in your tyre, the best thing to do is simply leave it there and call up a repair team. Removing it will simply make the hole bigger.
What are run flat tyres?
Run flat tyres are tyres with reinforced sidewalls that were purposely constructed to withstand punctures. If your vehicle has run flat tyres, you will be able to drive safely with a puncture for up to 50 miles, meaning you can get yourself to a garage with no issues. If you want to avoid the hassle of having to fix a puncture at the side of the road, run flat tyres could be a good investment.
Have you experienced a puncture recently? Mobile Tyres 2 U offer tyre replacements and puncture repairs to customers throughout High Wycombe, Watford and the surrounding areas. Operating 7 days a week, our experienced team will assess your vehicle for any damage. If it is required, we will replace your tyres the very same day with our stock from the world’s most reliable tyre brands. To enquire further about our services, get in contact with our team today.