What to do if you get a flat tire

Getting a flat tire, especially whilst driving is far from a relaxing experience. The sudden jolt as wheel hits road is bad enough without the stress of being stranded at the roadside without any assistance.

Firstly, don’t panic, this is the worst possible thing that you can do in this situation and is only going to make matters worse.

Knowing what to do in the situation can help you to stay calm, working through a set of steps to remedy the situation and getting you away from the roadside and safely home in no time at all.

Here is a step-by-step guide from one of the UK’s leading tyre fitting and tyre repair Glasgow professionals on what to do in the event of a puncture or flat tire.

Breakdown repair

Step 1) Pull over safely

You should avoid driving anywhere on a flat tire beyond moving over the to the roadside if possible in a calm and gradual manner. Do not suddenly slam the brakes or swerve to the side. Not only will this do damage to your vehicle but will put you and other road users in serious danger.

Gradually slow down and move to the side of the road, or to a side street if possible. The best place to stop with a flat tire is a well lit area on a straight with no hills or bends nearby to maximise visibility when approaching. Of course, this is not always a possibility but work with what you have.

Step 2) Turn on hazard lights

This is exactly what your hazard lights were designed for, warning other road users that something is wrong and that they should be cautious when approaching. It can be easy to get so caught up in your own predicament that you forget about the world around you, but as a responsible driver the safety of others should be your number one priority.

Step 3) Call for roadside assistance

If you have good insurance, you should have roadside recovery that will include towing you to a safe location if you are stuck on the roadside in a busy location.

Step 4) Call a mobile tyre fitting company

Mobile tyre fitting companies specialise in replacing and repairing flat tires at the road-side. The best firms also operate 24 hours a day and will come directly too you as a matter of urgency any time of the day or night.

What is so great about this service is that rather than replacing your own tire with a space saver you won’t need to visit the garage again afterwards as they can install a brand-new one at the roadside.

It is important to remember only ever to use a fully trained REACT fitting service for roadside tire repairs and replacements. This qualification verifies that the mechanic has undergone extensive training on how to work safely at the roadside.

If you have any questions about how a mobile tire fitting service works, visit our website or give us a call.