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What should you do if you get a tyre puncture?

What is a Tyre Puncture?

When a tyre loses air pressure due to a breach or some kind of damage, this is often referred to as a tyre puncture. Most of the time, this happens when the tyre is pierced by a sharp object, but tyre punctures can also be caused by rocks, scraping damage, potholes, and even construction debris on the road.

A punctured tyre can be a serious problem that compromises safety by affecting handling, increasing the risk of accidents. Underinflated tyres or flat tyres will also significantly affect fuel economy.

What Causes Tyre Punctures?

In every instance, tyre punctures are caused by external factors such as sharp objects on the road, as mentioned above. However, the condition of the tyre also plays a significant role in how likely tyre damage such as punctures are to occur. Two major factors include:

Tyre Pressure

Correctly inflated tyres are less susceptible to punctures. Over-inflated tyres are less flexible and may burst when hitting sharp objects, while more common under-inflated tyres are susceptible to damage from potholes and other road hazards.

Tyre Tread Depth

Worn tyres with low tread depth have less resistance to sharp objects as the deeper tread can actually deflect and absorb the energy from sharp objects much better,

Regular checks and ensuring your tyres have enough tread depth can reduce the risk of punctures.

While the minimum legal tread depth in Australia is 1.5mm, studies have found that the risk of tyre damage and aquaplaning in wet conditions increases at tread depths less than 3 mm. You can measure your tread depth easily with a cheap ruler or even a dedicated tyre tread gauge.

Types of Tyre Puncture Repair

Tyre punctures typically release air at a slow rate, giving you anywhere between several minutes to weeks to find the issue. Generally a severely underinflated or flat tyre will have some obvious warning signs such as a ‘flapping’ sound, ‘vague’ feeling steering or suspension or the vehicle pulling to one side or another.

For more sudden and dramatic tyre pressure events, your first priority is to find somewhere safe to pull over. Put your hazard lights on, gently slow down and find somewhere to get out of the way of traffic. If you have a roadside assistance plan, now is the time to call them.

Remember: Nothing is more important than the safety of you and any passengers in your vehicle. So never turn your back to oncoming traffic.

If you realise you have a tyre puncture, you have several options:

DIY Puncture Repairs

DIY puncture repair kits are available for minor punctures from just about any auto parts store or fuel station. These kits typically include a few specialist hand tools, some tyre plugs and a set of instructions. However, DIY tyre plug repairs are considered temporary solutions and should be followed up with a professional inspection to ensure the safety of your repair.

Professional Tyre Patch Repairs

Professional repairs, such as the type of repair you’ll get at Donnellans, are more reliable and involve patching the tyre from the inside. This method ensures a stronger seal and is considered safer than external plugs or DIY methods.

Tyre Puncture Sealant

Tyre puncture repair sealant is a liquid solution designed to temporarily seal punctures in a tyre's tread area. It's typically used in emergency situations to allow a vehicle to continue driving for a short distance until a more permanent repair can be made. The sealant is injected into the tyre through the valve stem and works by coating the inner surface of the tyre and sealing the puncture from the inside as the tyre rotates.

It’s worth noting that some tyre puncture sealants can often impact the use of a tyre patch repair down the track. But they are convenient.

Tyre Punctures and How Run-Flat Tyres Are Affected

Run-flat tyres are designed to maintain their shape and offer limited mobility even after a puncture that results in significant air pressure loss. Run-flat tyres can be driven for a short distance at a reduced speed, however they still require repair or replacement. Run-flat tyres should be inspected by professionals who are familiar with their structure and repair requirements.

All vehicles that come factory fitted with run-flat tyres will have Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) in order to act as an early warning system for any tyre pressure related issues.

What to Do If You Have a Puncture?

• Safety First: If you suspect a puncture or other type of tyre damage, put your hazard lights on and slowly reduce your speed. Find a safe place to stop. Avoid abrupt braking or sharp steering movements.
• Inspect the Tyre: Check the tyre for visible signs of punctures, such as nails or other objects. Look at the sidewall and compare it to all the others on your vehicle. If the sidewall is bulged out noticeably more than the others, that is likely your flat tyre.
• Temporary Solutions: Use a DIY repair kit if available and safe to do so, or install a spare tyre if one is available. Otherwise, call a mobile roadside assistance company to come out to your vehicle.
• Seek Professional Help: Even if a temporary repair is successful, it's crucial to visit a tyre repair shop at the earliest opportunity for a thorough inspection and permanent repair.

In conclusion, understanding tyre punctures, their causes, and repair options is vital for every driver. Regular tyre maintenance, including checking tyre pressure and tread depth, can significantly reduce the risk of punctures.

In the event of a puncture, knowing how to respond and seeking professional repair are key steps to ensuring safe and continued use of your vehicle.

If you’re looking for friendly and experienced tyre fitting professionals, come visit Donnellans The Tyremen today. We have 4 convenient locations across the South-East Melbourne area where you can get up to date tyre advice, long lasting tyre puncture repairs, replacement tyres and much more!