It’s always worth knowing what to do in case of an emergency, so you can get back on the road as quickly as possible. Many cars are now sold without a spare wheel and are instead supplied with an emergency tyre repair kit. The step-by-step guide below should explain what to do if you get stuck in this situation.
How to change a spare wheel
Firstly, make sure the car is stopped safely, away from any traffic. You should stop on flat level ground to stop the vehicle from rolling, making sure to also apply the handbrake. It is also recommended to use a wheel wedge on the wheel opposite the one you’re changing. You should use your hazard lights so other road users know to give you space.
Locate your spare wheel, jack, wheel brace and locking wheel nut adapter (if locking nuts are fitted) – the spare wheel should be stored under the boot.
Loosen the wheel nuts but don’t fully remove them yet.
Using the jack, place this under the designated jacking point closest to the wheel you are changing. Slowly wind the jack up until the wheel you are replacing is 4 inches of the ground.
Remove the loosened wheel nuts and then the wheel.
Fit the new wheel and screw the wheel nuts until they are finger tight.
Lower the jack until the vehicle is fully resting on the tyre.
Fully tighten the wheel nuts using the wheel brace.
Place the damaged wheel in the boot to take for repair. Your local garage or tyre fitters will advise whether to repair or replace it.
Note: Don’t drive on a space-saver spare wheel for longer than is strictly necessary, as they are only intended for emergencies.
How to use a car tyre repair kit
Follow the same procedure for stopping safely as described above.
Locate the repair kit from your vehicle. This is normally stored under the boot.
Follow the provided instruction located on the repair kit. These kits are simply connecting the tyre sealant to the valve on the rim.
Once the sealant is in the tyre, you need to attach the compressor to the 12V socket inside your vehicle.
Start the engine and using the compressor, pump the tyre to the recommended pressure.
If the hole does not seal you may need to disconnect the compressor and drive the vehicle forward slightly to insure the sealant is spread throughout the tyre. Then reattach the compressor and try again.
This repair is only a temporary measure and you should replace the damaged tyre as soon as possible.
Note: If the puncture hole is over 4mm in the tread or the wheel itself is damaged the repair kit is unlikely to work and the tyre will need to be changed.