You can get a flat tire at any time, whether you’re at home, on the road, or on a long trip. If you know how to fix a flat tire yourself, you can save time, money, and stress, especially in an emergency. For safety, it’s always best to get professional help, like mobile tyre fitting services. But every driver should know how to fix a flat tire.
We’ll show you how to fix a flat tire step by step in this full guide. We’ll also tell you when it’s safe to do it yourself and when you should call an emergency tire service like TyreVortex.
Close-up view of punctured, flat tire on rear wheel of automobile. Fault, damage wheel while driving on asphalt road. Bad luck, accident concept.
Reasons Why a Tyre Goes Flat
Before you fix a flat tyre, you should know why it happened:
Nails or other sharp things on the road
Low tyre pressure over time
Tread on the tires that is worn or damaged
Leakage from the valve
Potholes or hitting the curb
Some punctures can be fixed for a short time, but others need to be repaired or replaced by a professional.
Things You Need to Fix a Flat Tire
Always have these things in your car:
Extra tire (or tire repair kit)
Jack for cars
Wrench for lug nuts
Tyre pressure meter
Portable air compressor (optional)
Warning triangle and gloves
If you don’t have these tools or don’t feel safe, the best thing to do is to look for “tyres near me” or book a mobile tyre fitting.
How to Fix a Flat Tyre Yourself, Step by Step
Step 1: Find a safe place to park your car
Park your car on a flat, safe area away from traffic.
Turn on the hazard lights
Put the handbrake on
If you have them, put out warning triangles.
Always put safety first.
Step 2: Look at the flat tyre
Look for nails or screws in the tire.
Damage to the sidewall
Tyre that is completely flat
Important: Don’t try to fix a tire yourself if it has a cut or bulge in the sidewall. Get in touch with a tire service right away.
Step 3: Loosen the nuts on the lugs
Get a lug wrench
Loosen the nuts a little bit (don’t take them off yet)
Turn to the left
This is easier when the tire is still on the ground.
Step 4: Raise the Car
Put the jack at the right place to lift it
Slowly raise the car until the tire is off the ground.
Before you go on, make sure the car is stable.
Step 5: Take off the flat tire
Take off all the lug nuts.
Take off the flat tire with care
Put it flat on the ground.
Step 6: Put on the extra tyre
Make sure the spare tire lines up with the wheel bolts
Tighten the lug nuts by hand.
Slowly lower the car
When the tire touches the ground, make sure the lug nuts are tight.
Step 7: Look at the pressure in the tyres
Check the pressure in your tires
If you need to, fill up the spare tire.
Drive slowly and don’t go too far.
Spare tires are usually only for a short time, so fix or replace the flat tire as soon as you can.
Can You Fix a Flat Tyre Yourself?
A tire repair kit can sometimes fix small tread holes, but this is only a short-term fix.
If the hole is small, you can fix it yourself.
The damage is in the tread area.
The tire isn’t completely ripped up.
For long-term safety, it’s always best to have a professional fix or replace a flat tire.
When you shouldn’t fix a flat tyre yourself
Do NOT try to fix it yourself if the sidewall of the tire is broken.
The tire is completely ripped.
You are driving on a busy road
The weather is not safe
You don’t have the right tools
In these situations, the safest thing to do is to book a mobile tyre fitting or call an emergency tyre service.
Why getting your tyres fitted on the go is better
DIY repairs are helpful, but hiring a professional gives you peace of mind.
Here are some benefits of mobile tyre fitting:
You don’t have to drive on a flat tire.
Expert fitting and inspection
You can get it at home, at work, or on the roa
Lowers risk and saves time
TyreVortex brings tyre services right to your door, so you don’t have to keep looking for “tyres near me.”
Common Questions (FAQs)
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