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Article at a Glance:
- When you experience a tyre puncture on the road, do not panic and pull the vehicle to a safe place away from the road.
- Look for the possible cause of the puncture in the tyre and try a temporary repair using an off-road tyre plug or sealant if the cause is small, like a nail or screw.
- After the temporary repair, drive the vehicle to a tyre repair shop as soon as possible.
It is not uncommon to encounter a tyre puncture while driving on the road. When this happens, it can be a cause for concern, particularly when you are far from any tyre repair services. It is essential not to panic and take the necessary steps to fix the punctured tyre. With the right tools and knowledge, it is possible to make temporary repairs and travel to the nearest tyre repair shop. By reading this article, you can equip yourself with the necessary information to handle a tyre puncture, should it occur during your next journey, and ensure that you can manage the situation with confidence.
First thing first: Take Safety Measures
Suppose you stress over a tyre puncture on an ATV tyre, quad bike tyre, truck tyre, or others while on the road; it can lead to more problematic outcomings. Moving your vehicle to a safer location (away from the road) is best so others do not meet with an accident. Just so vehicles approaching from far away notice your vehicle, turn on the hazard lights and apply parking brakes to prevent the vehicle from rolling, especially when you are on a steep horizon. If you are driving an ATV, quad bike or truck, use wheel chocks to secure the vehicle.
Determine the Location and Severity of the Puncture
One major reason for tyre puncture while on the road is from nails or screws. Thoroughly examine the tyre and check for any sharp object that may have caused the puncture. If you find any sharp object in the tyre, do not rush to remove it until you have a spare tyre for the vehicle or a tyre repair kit (to be safe, it is always best to check for a tyre repair kit before hitting the road). You can attempt a temporary repair for a minor puncture; otherwise, looking for a tow service nearby is best. Especially when the puncture is on the sidewalls, your tyres may need replacement.
Temporarily Repair the Puncture
You can temporarily repair the puncture if the damage is not severe. First, remove the object causing the puncture in the tyre; then, to temporarily fix the tyre, you can use an off-road tyre plug or a tyre sealant to seal the puncture.
Maintain Tyre Pressure
Tyre pressure is one of the major causes of tyre failure. When you have a punctured tyre on the road, the tyre will be under-inflated than recommended tyre pressure. Too low tyre pressure can lead to increase friction and can cause blowouts. You can use a tyre inflator or an air compressor to inflate the tyre to the recommended pressure level. The recommended pressure level will be on the vehicle’s manual or the driver’s door jamb sticker. While inflating the tyre, check the pressure using a tyre pressure gauge.
Drive to a Nearby Tyre Repair Shop
Temporary puncture repair will get you back on the road, but it is not an absolute solution to your problem. Once the temporary repair gets you back on the road, look for a nearby tyre repair shop online and drive there as soon as possible. A tyre shop will assess the puncture’s severity and determine if the tyre is road-worthy through a repair or if it needs to be replaced. It is unsafe to drive on a temporary repair for an extended period, both for you and your vehicle.
