Dealing With A Tyre Puncture
How to notice a flat tyre?
If you’re fortunate enough not to recognize the sound of a flat tyre, count yourself lucky. Sure, there are precautions we can all take to try mitigating the unfortunate event of getting a flat tyre, but — given the state of our roads — a tyre puncture can happen to even the most cautious of us as there are many causes of flat tyres.
Flapping, grazing, and rhythmic whump-whump sounds aside, you’ll know you have a flat tyre when your car starts to slow and/or the steering feels off. It’s best not to continue driving with a flat tyre as it both damages the wheel as well as compromises your own safety — and that of the other drivers around you.
What to do when you have a flat tyre?
When you get a flat tyre, turn on your emergency hazard lights, slow down and pull over as soon as you see a safe, clear section of the emergency lane, side road or quite part of the neighbourhood. You don’t want to change your tyre in close proximity to heavy traffic.
Changing your flat tyre:
- Position the wheel wedges to prevent your car from rolling. Place them behind the back tyres if you’re changing a front tyre. Place them in front of the front tyres if you’re changing a back tire.
- If you have one, remove the wheel cover or hubcap from your flat tyre.
- Loosen the wheel nuts on your flat tyre by turning them counter clockwise with your wheel spanner.
- Use the jack to lift the flat tyre about six inches off the ground.
- Remove the wheel nuts.
- Hold onto the tyre and pull it toward you to remove it.
- Insert the spare tyre by aligning the tyre rim with the wheel bolts.
- Replace the wheel nuts and turn them clockwise until they are tight.
- Lower your car until the tyre returns to the ground (but doesn’t yet support the car’s full weight).
- Tighten the wheel nuts again with the wrench.
- Lower your car completely and remove the jack.
Flat Tyre Tips To Know
Remember:
- Before taking any trips, you should make sure you’re aware of the condition of your spare tyre. We all hope we’ll never have to use it, but the last thing you need is one flat tyre and a spare that isn’t good enough to keep you going.
- Your spare tyre is not a permanent tyre and isn’t built for long-term use – not all tyres are the same. This means you’ll need to get the puncture sorted with urgency (and while you’re at it, get the other three tyres on the car checked out too!).
We’re always here to help
Call us on +27 11 608 0116 or email info@subaru.co.za with any questions or concerns you have about which tyre brands are right for you, and we’d be glad to help.
And if you haven’t discovered what a beautiful combination tyres and Subaru make for a driving experience that’s simply Confidence in Motion, find your nearest dealership and book your test drive today.
