You grab your car keys, step outside, ready to start the day but our car’s sitting there with one tyre as flat as a puncture.
Most people panic the moment they see a flat tyre especially if they’ve never fixed one before.
But the good news is you don’t have to call a mechanic or wait for roadside assistance every time it happens. Learning how to fix a flat tyre at home is one of those essential life skills every driver should have.
It might sound annoying at first, but with the right tools and a little patience, it’s actually pretty simple. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to Mend a punctured tyre at home , from how to spot a flat early to safely replacing or repairing it without stepping foot in a garage.
Is Your Tyre Flat? Here’s How to Know
Identifying a flat tyre early can prevent further damage to your wheels and ensure your safety on the road. But how do you make sure if your tyre’s flat? You don’t need to be a car expert to figure it out. Just look for these simple signs:
- One side of the car seems lower than the other
- The TPMS light on your dashboard is on
- The vehicle pulls to one side or the steering feels sluggish
- You hear a rhythmic thumping while driving
If you experience any of these symptoms, inspect the tyre immediately. Knowing the issue early not only protects your wheel but also give you a chance to fix a flat tyre at home instead of taking help from a professional.
Everything You Need to Fix a Flat Tyre at Home
You don’t need a fancy garage setup to fix a flat tyre at home, it’s just a few essentials that you’ll need to efficiently Address a flat tyre at home.
Here is a checklist of what you’ll need to replace a flat tyre or seal a puncture using a tyre repair kit.
1. Spare Tyre or Tyre Repair Kit
A fully inflated spare tyre is ideal for quick replacement. If you don’t have one, a tyre repair kit with sealant and a plug tool can patch small punctures temporarily.
2. Car Jack
A jack lifts your vehicle off the ground so you can remove the flat tyre. Make sure to place it on a solid, level surface and follow your car’s manual for proper jack points.
3. Lug Wrench
A wrench is used to loosen and tighten the wheel nuts. Most vehicles come with a lug wrench, but a cross wrench or telescopic wrench offers better leverage and ease.
4. Portable Air Compressor or Tyre Inflator
After tyre replacement, you’ll need to inflate the tyre to the correct pressure. A 12V portable compressor that plugs into your car’s power outlet works perfectly.
5. Tyre Pressure Gauge
The pressure gauge ensures your spare or repaired tyre is inflated to the right PSI.
6. Wheel Wedges or Bricks
These stop your car from rolling while you’re working. Place them behind the tyres opposite the one you’re working on; this is especially useful if you’re on a slope.
7. Gloves and Torch
It’s not always bright outside, so keep a flashlight or headlamp in your kit to light up your workspace. A pair of gloves may seem optional, but they save your hands from dirt, grease, and minor scrapes during a tyre change.
Safety First: Steps to Take Before Fixing Your Tyre
Before you get hands-on with your tyre, it’s important to set things up safely. Here’s what to do first:
- Place your car in a safe location; avoid parking car on slopes
- To avoid any road mishap, turn on your hazard lights so other drivers know you’ve stopped for a reason.
- Apply the handbrake to keep the car from rolling while you work.
- Place wheel wedges or bricks behind the tyres opposite to the flat.
- Make sure no passenger is in the car before beginning the repair.
- Organize your jack, wrench, and spare so they’re within reach.
Method 1: Replacing a Flat Tyre with a Spare
Replacing your flat tyre with a spare is completely doable by just following a few simple steps:
Step 1: Loosen the lug nuts
First of all, take a lug wrench and loosen the nuts on the flat tyre, don’t take them off yet.
Before lifting the car, use a lug wrench to slightly loosen the nuts on the flat tyre. Don’t take them off just yet.
Step 2: Jack up the car
According to your car’s manual, position the jack under the recommended lifting points and raise your car.
Step 3: Remove the flat tyre
Now unscrew the loosened lug nuts completely and carefully take off the flat tyre.
Step 4: Mount the spare tyre
Fit the spare tyre on its place. Put the lug nuts back on and tighten them by hand.
Step 5: Lower the car and tighten the nuts
Use the jack to slowly lower your car back to the ground, then tighten the lug nuts securely in a crisscross pattern.
Method 2: Repairing the tyre with a Sealant
Not every flat tyre needs a full replacement; small punctures can be fixed by a tyre repair kit. Here’s how you can fix small leaks and punctures:
Step 1: Pull out the object causing the puncture
If the nail or the object causing the leak is visible, remove it carefully.
Step 2: Insert tyre sealant
Valve must be at the top of the wheel; turn the wheel and adjust the valve position. Attach the sealant tube to the tyre valve and squeeze the product into the tyre.
Step 3: Inflate the tyre
Use the 12V compressor to inflate the tyre to the correct pressure level.
Step 4: Drive your car slowly
Drive your car slowly to rotate the tyre so the sealant spreads properly and does not make a lump inside the tyre.
Step 5: Replace your tyre
Sealants are not the permanent solution; they are only good for 3 days or 100 miles, so you have to replace your tyre before then.
Sealant works well for small punctures up to 6mm in the tread area; they are not suitable for larger holes or punctures in the sidewall.
Method 3: Repairing the tyre with a Plug
Tyre plugs are another quick-fix option for small to medium-sized punctures. It offers a more durable temporary fix than sealant, but like sealant, it is not the permanent solution. Here’s how you can fix the puncture with the plug:
- Remove the tyre
To remove the tyre, first loosen the lug nuts, jack up your car, and then take the wheel off the hub just as explained in first method.
- Remove the object
Pull out the nail or screw causing the leak, if it is visible.
- Ream the puncture hole
Use the reaming tool to clean and widen the hole.
- Insert the plug
Thread a rubber plug into the insertion tool and push it firmly into the hole.
- Pull out the tool
Leave the plug in place as you remove the tool.
- Trim and inflate
Cut off any excess plug and reinflation the tyre to the correct pressure.
Conclusion
While learning how to fix a flat tyre at home equips you with valuable skills and can be a quick solution in certain situations, consider the convenience and expertise offered by professional mobile tyre fitting services, especially in a busy urban environment like Manchester. For instance, Mobile Tyre Fitting is recognized as a leading mobile tyre repairing service provider in Manchester.
Instead of spending your time and effort on the roadside, potentially in challenging weather or unsafe conditions, a mobile service brings the tyre repair or replacement directly to your location, whether you’re at home, work, or stranded elsewhere. These professionals possess the right tools, experience, and high-quality tyres to ensure a safe and efficient resolution to your flat tyre issue, saving you time and providing peace of mind. While DIY fixes have their place, for a hassle-free and reliable solution in Manchester, Mobile Tyre Fitting and similar services offer a superior alternative..
FAQs
How far can I drive on a spare tyre?
No more than 50 to 70 miles and at speeds under 50 mph. Get your regular tyre fixed as soon as possible.
Can I drive with a flat tyre for a short distance?
It’s not recommended, as driving even a short distance with a flat tyre can cause damage to the wheel and suspension system.
Is tyre sealant a permanent fix?
No, tyre sealant is only a temporary solution until you take your vehicle to a garage to have the tyre permanently repaired or replaced.
What’s the correct tyre pressure for my car?
Every car has its own tyre pressure, but for most cars it falls between 32 and 35 PSI. For accurate information, check your car’s manual or the sticker on the driver’s side door frame.
