Although they have a solid construction, tyres are not immune to damage, the most common being a tyre puncture, which can cause a flat tyre. For those new to the site, or in the field, a puncture in the tyre can occur for reasons related to the way you drive, incorrect pressure, obstacles encountered on the road or even bad intentions in the case of the really unlucky ones.
Today we will discuss in more detail how to avoid a punctured tyre, how to react if we encounter one, if it can be fixed, and finally how we can fix it ourselves.
How can I avoid a flat tyre?
Here is a multiple choice question. Every driver can break down for any number of reasons, regardless of their experience. The following list includes the main reasons that can lead to the unfortunate event.
Incorrect pressure. We have discussed and will continue to discuss this shadow villain. Few people check their tyre pressure monthly, but even fewer think about the damage it can cause. When the pressure is low, the tyre changes its shape slightly and more pressure is placed on the bead (side). This is not always visible to the naked eye, but it can lead to a tyre blowout over time. If you can’t remember when you last checked the pressure, we highly recommend running to service and checking it out.
Vehicle overloaded. Each tyre, depending on its specifications, can support a certain weight. If this weight is constantly exceeded, the high pressure can lead to an explosion. This is more common in vans.
Tyres are way too worn. There are several viewpoints to explore here. It is possible that the tyres of Ilie (fictional character) are made to be driven 50,000 km, but Ilie is already approaching 75,000 km. Another character, Alex, doesn’t come close to that threshold, but drives more aggressively, which results in faster tyre wear. Or maybe you know someone who has stored their tyres for a long time or in bad conditions, these will not perform as well as they did in the beginning and will wear out faster. If your story is anything like the ones here, you’d better change your tyres before you have a flat one.
Obstacles were encountered on the way. Potholes encountered on the road have shortened the life of countless tyres. As well as nails or other sharp objects that we can’t avoid all the time. Here we will also mention going over the curbs, whether by mistake or on purpose, you can get stuck very quickly regardless of whether you have premium or budget brands.
What do I do if I have a flat tyre?
We’re talking of course about that sudden flat tyre while you’re driving, not a nail in the tyre that gradually deflates it.
You heard a louder thump and felt the car pull slightly in one direction. What are you doing now?
You keep your cool – it seems hard to do, but you must not give in to the instinct to jerk the car’s controls.
Hold the steering wheel firmly β when you feel the car pulling to one side, try to maintain the direction of the road.
Actuate the controls gradually β Ease off the throttle slightly until you feel like you’ve slowed down enough to brake. Sudden braking is enemy number 1 in these situations and can lead to skidding and serious accidents. Start with the engine brake and then the service brake (pedal) gradually.
Can I fix a flat tyre?
Now that you’ve safely stopped, the next step is to locate the puncture. If it’s less than 4 mm, you’ll be able to fix it with a kit. If it’s more than 4 mm, you won’t be able to fix it yourself. In both cases, you can choose to change the tyre with the spare one. If you don’t know how we’ll help you with some tips. These rules also do not apply to run-flat tyres, some can be repaired and some cannot.
How do I fix a flat tyre?
To repair a flat tyre, you need a special kit that you can find in some supermarkets or online stores. The kit should contain rubber bands, glue, a T-shaped drill (twist tool), a needle-ear tool and a small cutter. As the GOODYEAR specialists inform us, we must follow a few simple steps:
As I said earlier, you start by locating the object that punctured the tyre.
Remove the object using a patent or pliers.
Clean the hole using the T-shaped drill bit.
Place the rubber band in the eye needle tool.
Insert the needle into the tire hole until half of the thread goes in, twist the needle slightly and try to pull it out quickly.
If you can, remove the excess cord with the cutter and that’s it, the tyre can continue on its way.
P.S. Don’t forget to check the pressure before you leave.
Important β A flat tyre can only be repaired if the tyre has been punctured in the tread (the part that makes contact with the ground). If the tyre has been punctured on the side, it cannot be saved because its resistance is compromised.
That being said, we hope the information here will help you avoid or fix a flat tyre if needed. If you want to know other interesting things or make an addition, write to us in the comments.
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