Got a puncture?
Before you start searching used cars for sale in frustration at the situation, know that in many cases punctures are very easily repaired. Sure, you might need a professional to carry out the final fix, but there are certainly methods available to get you on your way, without resorting to calling out a breakdown service. However, if you find yourself in need of assistance, remember that norksonbreakdownrecovery.co.uk is just a phone call away.
How can a puncture be repaired mid-journey?
If you suddenly feel like things are going flat you have three main options – and none of those includes carrying on regardless. No matter how slowly you travel (which can be dangerous in itself in some circumstances) it’s best not to go further than absolutely necessary on a punctured tyre.
Once you’ve stopped – ideally in a safe location, away from busy roads – you should then be able to pick the most appropriate option:
- Use a tyre repair kit
- Change the wheel and tyre completely
- Call a breakdown service.
Option 2 is better than option 1 if you have a full-size or space-saver spare wheel, but only if you’re confident about doing the job safely (you don’t want to drop the car on your foot or put your back out).
Option 3 is safest of all, but will likely take the longest as you have to wait for the breakdown service to arrive and be most expensive – if you haven’t already got breakdown cover.
But how does a puncture repair kit work?
The kind you are likely to have in the car (now often supplied by the car manufacturers instead of a spare wheel) are typically cans of compressed gunk – more technically known as sealant – that can temporarily seal the hole, allowing you to carry on until the entire tyre can be safely replaced.
These are often known as emergency tyre repair kits or roadside tyre repair kits.
They are not to be confused with a permanent tyre punction repair that may be possible at professional tyre fitters such as Kwik Fit – or on a DIY basis via a different kind of puncture repair kit. These involve inserting a kind of rubber plug into the hole and permanently bonding it in place.
Both the cans of gunk and the more permanent sorts of repairs will only work in certain circumstances. In some cases, you’ll just have to bite the bullet and replace the whole tyre immediately.
When shouldn’t you attempt to repair a tyre puncture?
There are a number of situations where attempting to fix a puncture isn’t advised:
- As above, if you’ve got a spare wheel in the car, this is safer than repairing a damaged tyre. Do this instead if you can.
- Repair kits cannot fix tyres that are punctured through the sidewall or have suffered a blowout.
- Large holes in any location are unlikely to be repairable.
- Any situation where the wheel itself is damaged will require a professional repair; the car will be unsafe to drive until this is rectified (usually by replacing the wheel).
- Try and avoid repairing a puncture on very busy roads. If you can, drive to a quiet location first. If on the motorway, look for a refuge or service area rather than the hard shoulder, if at all possible. But equally don’t drive further than you have to, especially if the tyre is rapidly deflating.
Assuming none of the above present an issue, once you’ve made the attempted repair, drive a short distance at low speeds (keeping safety in mind) and check the tyre again.
If all is ok you can proceed. A temporary repair made using a can of tyre sealant will need seeing to by a professional as soon as possible. It’s best to get the more permanent type of puncture repair checked professionally as well. Tyres are absolutely critical to road safety.
Other things to consider about car puncture repairs
Always read the instructions on the tyre repair kit carefully. How they work and what you need to do may vary even between similar types of kit, and they will also specify the kinds of punctures they are suitable to repair.
Don’t forget to replace your tyre repair kit if you have to use it. The emergency sealant type are usually one-shot affairs so won’t be suitable for a second puncture, should you be unlucky enough to get one.
A repaired tyre is unlikely to perform as well as an unblemished tyre. So even if you’ve successfully fixed the puncture with a plug-type repair kit it’s a good idea to keep a closer-than-ever eye on your tyre pressures.
Tyre pressures should be monitored regularly regardless, and tyres inspected generally to make sure they remain in safe and legal condition. The construction of modern tyres means that it’s not always easy to tell when pressure loss has occurred, but this can still be very dangerous.
A lot of modern vehicles make checking tyre pressures straightforward thanks to built-in tyre pressure monitors. Aftermarket versions of these systems are also available.
If you hit a pothole or object on the road and the tyre seems fine, other warning signs of problems include new vibrations and changes to the steering. If you experience these get the tyre and the wheel checked for hidden damage as soon as you can.
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