A punctured tyre can happen at the most inconvenient time. You might notice the tyre losing pressure while leaving home, find a nail in it before a trip, or suddenly realise that your car is pulling to one side because one tyre is going flat.
Searching for tyres on the drive puncture repair usually means you want the problem handled without wasting time driving to a workshop. Mobile tyre and roadside services can be useful in situations where getting the vehicle to a tyre shop is difficult.
What should you do when your tyre gets punctured?
If you notice a flat or rapidly deflating tyre, slow down and find a safe place to stop. Avoid continuing to drive on a completely flat tyre because the tyre may suffer additional internal damage.
Once parked safely, check the tyre visually if you can do so without putting yourself in danger.
Look for:
- Nails, screws or other objects in the tread
- A visibly flat or underinflated tyre
- Damage around the valve
- Cuts on the sidewall
- Damage around the wheel rim
If you have a spare tyre, you may be able to replace the damaged wheel temporarily. If your vehicle does not have a spare, you may need a puncture repair service or mobile tyre technician.
Can every punctured tyre be repaired?
No. A tyre needs to be inspected before deciding whether it is safe to repair.
A small puncture in the main tread area may be repairable, while damage to the sidewall or shoulder can require tyre replacement. A tyre that has been driven for a significant distance while completely flat may also have internal damage that is not obvious from the outside.
This is why simply putting air into the tyre and continuing your journey is not always a good solution.
When mobile puncture repair makes sense
A mobile repair service can be particularly useful when your car is parked at home, at work or in another safe location where there is enough space for a technician to work.
For example, you may wake up and discover that one of your tyres is flat. Instead of arranging a tow or attempting to drive the car to a workshop, you can arrange for the tyre to be inspected where the vehicle is parked.
This can also be useful for businesses with several vehicles. A puncture that keeps a delivery vehicle off the road can affect the day’s operations, so getting the tyre checked quickly can reduce unnecessary downtime.
What happens during a puncture repair?
A proper puncture repair should involve more than simply pushing a temporary plug into the tyre and sending the driver away.
The technician should first inspect the tyre and identify where the air is escaping. The tyre may need to be removed from the wheel so its inside can be checked for damage.
If the puncture is suitable for repair, the appropriate repair method can be used before the tyre is reinflated and checked for leaks.
If the tyre is too damaged to repair, replacement may be the safer option.
Don’t ignore a slow puncture
Not every puncture makes a tyre completely flat immediately.
You may notice that one tyre loses pressure every few days. This could be caused by a small puncture, a damaged valve, or another problem around the tyre and wheel.
Continuously topping up the pressure without finding the cause can leave you with a flat tyre at a much worse time.
If one tyre repeatedly loses pressure, have it inspected rather than treating it as a normal maintenance issue.
What if there is a nail or screw in the tyre?
If you notice a nail or screw sticking into the tyre, avoid removing it yourself unless a qualified professional has advised you to do so.
Removing the object can cause the tyre to lose air much faster. If the tyre is still holding pressure, get it checked as soon as possible.
If it is already flat, avoid driving on it. Arrange for the tyre to be inspected or use your vehicle’s spare wheel or approved emergency equipment if available.
Puncture repair or a new tyre?
The decision depends on the condition of the tyre.
A repair may be possible when the puncture is small, located in a suitable part of the tread and the tyre has not suffered other damage.
A replacement may be necessary when there is:
- Sidewall damage
- Severe shoulder damage
- A large cut or hole
- Internal damage from driving while flat
- Significant tread wear
- Damage that makes the tyre structurally unsafe
The important thing is to have the tyre assessed rather than deciding based only on how the damage looks from outside.
Getting help with tyre problems in Nigeria
For drivers in Nigeria, tyre problems can become more difficult when you are far from a trusted workshop, stuck at home with a flat tyre or managing several vehicles for a business.
Travo.ng can help with relevant mobility and logistics arrangements where needed, including coordinating transport-related services and assistance around vehicle movement. For a puncture that leaves your vehicle unable to continue, getting the right assistance quickly is more important than trying to force the car back onto the road.
If the tyre can be safely repaired, fixing it early can save you from a more expensive tyre replacement or an unexpected breakdown later.
How to reduce your chances of getting stranded by a puncture
You cannot prevent every puncture, but regular tyre checks can help you catch problems earlier.
Before a long trip, check:
- Tyre pressure
- Tread condition
- Visible cuts or bulges
- Spare tyre condition, if available
- Jack and wheel-changing equipment
- Tyre repair or inflation kit, if supplied with the vehicle
It is also worth checking your tyres regularly if you drive through areas with construction debris, damaged roads or sharp objects.
A small tyre problem is easier to deal with when you discover it while the vehicle is safely parked than when the tyre suddenly fails during a journey.
