Punctures and blow-outs

If your car suddenly becomes unstable or you begin to notice steering problems, you might have a puncture or a blow-out (burst tyre).

Try not to panic.

• Take your foot off the accelerator.
• Don’t brake suddenly.
• Try to keep a straight course by holding the steering wheel firmly.
• Stop gradually at the side of the road.
• Get the vehicle away from the traffic (onto the hard shoulder if you’re on a motorway).

If you have to move the vehicle, do so very slowly to avoid further damage to the tyre or wheel rim.

On a motorway, never attempt to change a wheel yourself. Always use the emergency telephones to call for assistance.

On all other roads, get the vehicle to a place of safety before attempting repairs or changing the wheel.

Changing a wheel

If you do have to change a wheel and can do so safely, follow this procedure.

• Pull in at the nearest available lay-by or designated parking place. If neither of these options is available to you, then try and stop somewhere that’s far enough from the highway to avoid causing a safety hazard. Don’t try and change your wheel at the side of the road. If you can’t get off the road altogether, use your warning triangle, or any other permitted warning device, to warn other drivers, particularly if you’re near a bend. If necessary, wait for assistance.
• Some new cars have puncture repair kits rather than spare wheels. If your car doesn’t have a spare wheel as standard, follow the manufacturer’s directions to use the kit to provide a temporary fix.
• Don’t try and change the wheel on soft or loose ground as jacking up the car on this kind of surface could cause an accident.
• Turn off the engine and make sure that you switch on your hazard warning lights.
• Make sure the handbrake is applied and the car is in first gear.
• Take out the jack and the spare wheel from the car. These are usually stored under the lining in the boot of your vehicle. The spare wheel may be screwed in – if this is the case, then carefully undo the screw bolt and lift the wheel out of the boot.
• Remove the wheel cap.
• Use the wheel nut wrench to slightly loosen the wheel nuts. Most nuts turn anti-clockwise.
• Place the jack underneath a lifting point that’s near the wheel that you’re removing.
• Turn the jack’s handle until the head of the jack is flush against the lifting point. Keep turning until the car is slightly raised. If you need more information about lifting your car with a jack, your manufacturer’s handbook should be able to help you.
• Jack up your vehicle until the wheel is raised off the ground. Fully remove the wheel nuts and carefully lift the wheel off the hub.
• Place the spare wheel on the hub, replace the wheel nuts, then tighten each nut by hand. The nuts will normally tighten in a clockwise direction.
• Tighten the top nut first, then tighten the others in a diagonal pattern.
• Lower the jack until your vehicle’s wheel is touching the ground. Use the wrench to tighten the nuts until the wheel is fully secured.