By Abschleppdienst Altun, Bremen. Last updated:
In short
Don’t keep driving. Stop somewhere safe instead. Small punctures in the tread can be sealed, otherwise the spare wheel helps. If the sidewall is damaged or you have no spare, you need a tow truck.
Stop at once, but safely
Is the car pulling to one side, rumbling, or is the tyre pressure warning on? Stay calm, brake gently and get to a safe place as soon as you can. Don’t drive any further than necessary, or the tyre and rim will soon be ruined.
Check the situation
Hazard lights on, hi-vis vest on, set up the warning triangle. Then look at the tyre: a nail in the tread is something different from damage to the sidewall.
Three solutions
Which one suits depends on the damage and your equipment:
- Spare wheel or space-saver: with a space-saver, the maximum speed printed on it applies, usually 80 km/h
- Repair kit: only for small punctures in the tread, for example from a nail
- Towing: for sidewall damage, with no spare wheel or in dangerous spots
If you can’t get any further
Call us. We change to the spare wheel, seal the puncture or take your car to the nearest garage.