How To Change A Punctured Tyre
car&bike Team
1 min read
Nov 20, 2015, 12:19 AM
So you are out on a highway in the middle of nowhere and you realise that you have a punctured tyre. What do you do?
Your first instinct would probably be to look for a tyre repair shop close by but you then realise those are quite rare in the 'middle of nowhere'. A call to the roadside assistance service may help but you know that they will take ages to get to where you are.
But there's nothing to fear because you can easily replace your punctured tyre with a spare in a few simple steps, provided your spare tyre is in good condition.
Here are some of the guidelines you need to follow when you have a tyre puncture:
1. Pull over
Right at the outset, you need to slow down and eventually bring the car to a complete stop on the side of the road when you realise that you have a puncture. Make sure that you pull off the road completely so as to not disturb the traffic flow. Do not drive with a flat tyre as it may cause harm to the mechanicals and also the wheel. Switch on the hazard/emergency lights so that the other cars know that your vehicle has a problem.
2. Know your jacking points
Jacking points are essentially where the car jack fits under the vehicle and this enables it to lift the car in order to change the tyre. The jacking points have been given extra strength so that it is easier for you to raise the car. If you are wondering where they are, look into your owner's manual to find out.
3. Loosen the bolts
Before you actually use the jack to lift the car, it is important that you loosen the bolts of the punctured tyre first. Make sure that you loosen each bolt in diagonal fashion.
4. Lift the car
Now you have to place the jack in the given jacking position and use it to lift the car. Do this very slowly and make sure there is no one sitting in the car. Any extra weight might just make the jack lose its grip.
5. Replace the tyre
Once you have loosened and removed all the bolts, detach the punctured tyre and replace it with the spare. Again, while getting the tyre back on, tighten the bolts diagonally. The logic behind this is that the tyre has no chance of falling off while it is being fastened. Once the tyre is replaced, you can take the car off the jack and then make sure that the tyre has been tightly bolted in place.
6. Get the puncture repaired
So now you are set and can get back on the road. But make sure that you get the punctured tyre repaired, the first chance you get. A spare tyre is no problem but at the end of the day, there is a reason why it is called a 'spare' - it's not meant to be used over long distances or for too long a time period.
Your first instinct would probably be to look for a tyre repair shop close by but you then realise those are quite rare in the 'middle of nowhere'. A call to the roadside assistance service may help but you know that they will take ages to get to where you are.
But there's nothing to fear because you can easily replace your punctured tyre with a spare in a few simple steps, provided your spare tyre is in good condition.
Here are some of the guidelines you need to follow when you have a tyre puncture:
1. Pull over
Right at the outset, you need to slow down and eventually bring the car to a complete stop on the side of the road when you realise that you have a puncture. Make sure that you pull off the road completely so as to not disturb the traffic flow. Do not drive with a flat tyre as it may cause harm to the mechanicals and also the wheel. Switch on the hazard/emergency lights so that the other cars know that your vehicle has a problem.
2. Know your jacking points
Jacking points are essentially where the car jack fits under the vehicle and this enables it to lift the car in order to change the tyre. The jacking points have been given extra strength so that it is easier for you to raise the car. If you are wondering where they are, look into your owner's manual to find out.
3. Loosen the bolts
Before you actually use the jack to lift the car, it is important that you loosen the bolts of the punctured tyre first. Make sure that you loosen each bolt in diagonal fashion.
4. Lift the car
Now you have to place the jack in the given jacking position and use it to lift the car. Do this very slowly and make sure there is no one sitting in the car. Any extra weight might just make the jack lose its grip.
5. Replace the tyre
Once you have loosened and removed all the bolts, detach the punctured tyre and replace it with the spare. Again, while getting the tyre back on, tighten the bolts diagonally. The logic behind this is that the tyre has no chance of falling off while it is being fastened. Once the tyre is replaced, you can take the car off the jack and then make sure that the tyre has been tightly bolted in place.
6. Get the puncture repaired
So now you are set and can get back on the road. But make sure that you get the punctured tyre repaired, the first chance you get. A spare tyre is no problem but at the end of the day, there is a reason why it is called a 'spare' - it's not meant to be used over long distances or for too long a time period.
Related News
Latest Cars
Upcoming Cars
Latest News
Jafar Rizvi | Mar 2, 2026New Mercedes-Benz V-Class Launched In India At Rs 1.40 CroreThe luxury MPV makes a return to the Indian market after being discontinued in 2022.3 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | Mar 1, 2026Mahindra XEV 9e Cineluxe Edition Launched At Rs 29.35 LakhNew special edition of the 9e electric SUV is based on the fully-loaded 9e Pack 3 but costs about Rs 1.15 lakh less.2 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | Mar 1, 2026New Mercedes-Benz V-Class Makes India Debut; Launch TomorrowUnlike the previous diesel-only V-class, the latest model will be offered with petrol and diesel engine options.1 min read
car&bike Team | Feb 28, 2026Zero-Dep Cover: The Renewal Add-on That Ensures You Don’t Pay for Parts1 min read
car&bike Team | Feb 28, 2026Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus LX Recalled Over Transmission Malfunction RiskThe recall affects 969 units of the Toyota Land Cruiser and 117 units of the Lexus LX.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Feb 27, 2026New Tata Tiago EV Spied Testing On Indian Roads: Enhanced Range Incoming?Launched in India in 2022, the Tiago EV received a notable update last year, adding in newer features and some styling tweaks.3 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | Feb 28, 2026Tata Punch EV Facelift Review: More Range, More Sense, Less MoneyThe Tata Punch EV facelift gets a bigger 40 kWh battery, faster 60 kW DC charging, improved thermal management, and better real-world range, and all of that at a lower introductory price. But does it become a more complete package now?6 mins read
Preetam Bora | Feb 24, 2026Hero Destini 110 Review: Simplicity, RefinedThe Hero Destini 110 is a no-nonsense commuter that is simple, comfortable and above all, fuel efficient. In 2026, when buyers are spoilt for choice, is it good enough to consider?1 min read
Preetam Bora | Feb 23, 2026TVS Apache RTX Road Test Review: Redefining the Entry-Level ADVAfter spending some time with the TVS Apache RTX in traffic, the daily commute, as well as on open highways, one thing becomes clear: the RTX is trying to redefine the entry-level ADV segment. But is it without fault?1 min read
Girish Karkera | Feb 20, 2026Road Test: 2025 VinFast VF7 AWD Sky InfinityFlagship all-electric SUV from the Vietnamese car maker gets most of the basics right.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Feb 18, 2026New BMW X3 30 Vs Mercedes-Benz GLC 300: Midsize Luxury SUV FaceoffWith the new X3 30, BMW has a direct competitor to the petrol GLC 300, but which is the luxury SUV for you?1 min read