My First Puncture!

[Prudie]

I have driven 6 miles home from work in the dark and pouring rain, all the way I knew something was wrong. Anyway at home I have a flat tyre, there is a screw in the wall. I've not had a puncture in this car before and have discovered I have no spare tyre - just manufacturer supplied electric pump and a tin of spray tyre mender stuff - is this safe? Should I use this stuff to get to the garage or just take the wheel in?

[tonyav]

Use that gunky stuff and take it to the garage or tyre place, Prudie. It will mean having a new tyre anyway if the puncture is in the sidewall.

[pinkerton]

If you drove six miles on a flat tyre, it is probably shredded and not viable.

[Prudie]

You mean drive it Tone? Does the wheel have to come off to spray the stuff or can you use it even though the rubber is flat to the road (of course I don't mean me, I will get a man to do it!)

[novalis]

As Pinkerton says, the tyre is probably shredded and - although I sincerely hope not - it could be that the wheel itself has suffered some damage as well.

[Prudie]

I'm hoping the wheel is OK. It's difficult to tell in the dark and the weather tonight is truly awful but it seems OK. I never went over 40.

[Peaspeculiars]

Prudie - have you got breakdown cover that will cover you from outside your house? They might be able to give your car a lift to a tyre place (if you don't have run-flats)
I wouldn't drive on it until the tyre's been replaced, just in case - but have a go at the tyre repair kit if you want, - try going up and down your street first to check it has worked

[tonyav]

If the gunky stuff goes into the tyre via the air valve, give it a try and see if it stays inflated. But as others have said if you have driven with it flat for some distance it stands a good chance of being shredded.

[woofgang]

The way its designed to work is that before you want to set off, you use the can and reinflate according to the instructions. Give it a few minutes to make sure that the can has worked and the pressure will hold then go straight to the tyre place. do not pass go, stop for coffee or collect 200 pounds.

[Prudie]

Peas yes I do have breakdown but it's a bit of a fuss. It's probably easiest for OH to take the wheel to the garage but we are both supposed to be in work by 0800. It's really a nuisance, an expensive one at that.

[tonyav]

Prudie, you could have a mobile tyre fitter come to your home or place of work and sort it out.
http://www.etyres.co.uk/mobile-tyre-fitting/

There are other mobile tyre fitting companies as well.

[DTCwordfan]

Cor Blimey - there's at least one a year for me with the condition of the lanes around here - just had one three weeks ago - bye to £85

[Peaspeculiars]

I know Prudie, such a faff isn't it.
Tony's link looks like a good idea, and yes OH could take the tyre to a garage, but give them a ring first with the tyre details - they may have one in stock already and not have to see the actual tyre (?) - Have you checked under the car? (some have the spare tyre underneath the boot)
good luck
(hope your workplace isn't too far?)

[EDDIE51]

Do not bother with the 'gunge' just take the tyre to a repair place, the gunk will almost certainly not work if there is a screw in the sidewall, and it is only an emergency repair to get you to tyre depot anyway. You will need a new tyre. Once you have that sorted look on eBay for a spare wheel with tyre and put that in your spare wheel bay. I just sold a spare wheel with a new tyre for £15 on ebay, they often go for that sort of price. It does not have to be an alloy wheel if the car has alloys, just a plain steel wheel will do and be a lot better than a tube of goo.

[paddywak]

Sadly many modern cars don't have full size road wheels as spares unless you pay for them as an extra.They either have those narrow get you to the garage type wheels or that gunk,not both. As has already been pointed out if you've done any mileage on the tyre it's probably ruined.

[EDDIE51]

paddywak, It has a screw through the sidewall , sidewall punctures can not be repaired any way so it is a new tyre needed.

[paddywak]

Years ago they used to plug them and fit an inner tube,when did the laws change to stop them doing that?

[tonyav]

http://www.national.co.uk/information/puncture-repairs.aspx

[paddywak]

Thanks for the info tony,I've had a motability car for the last eleven years so luckily if I get any problems I either Phone the RAC of find the nearest Kwik Fit and leave it to them.

[tonyav]

I still don't know when it became illegal to repair a punctured sidewall though, paddywak.