Getting a punctured tyre while you are on the road is both an inconvenient and – for some drivers – scary experience. This can happen at any time, so it is always useful to learn how to change a flat tyre.
Once you have this handy skill, it would not take you more than 30 minutes to change out before you’re well on the road again.
Unless your vehicle is equipped with run-flat tyres* which are standard in BMW vehicles, it is dangerous to continue driving on a punctured conventional tyre. (*Run-flat tyres are specially designed to allow you to continue driving up to 80km at a maximum of 80km/h until you can safely reach a tyre shop or service centre to repair the puncture.)
Here are some guidelines to help prepare you in case you do experience a tyre blowout.
Stop at a safe spot
Remain calm, slowly reduce seed, switch on your hazard lights, and move into a spot away from the rest of traffic. An empty car park would be a great place.
Don’t try to change a flat tyre if you are unable to find a safe spot or if you are caught in a heavy downpour. Never attempt it if you are on the highway and can only pull over to the road shoulder. Call for roadside assistance instead.
Engage your brake and use a reflective safety triangle to alert other motorists that you are changing the tyre.
Get the kit ready
Read your vehicle’s manual to locate the spare tyre and jack kit. Do not use your kit if the equipment is worn or rusty. Check the spare tyre’s inflation level. If it is also flat, inflate it or call a tow truck.
Find a flat (ahem) road so that your vehicle does not roll while you are trying to change the tyre. Wedge the other tyres with bricks or large stones – again to prevent rolling.
Changing the flat tyre
1. Locate the tyre iron in your jack kit. Use it to loosen the lug nuts (do not remove yet) of the flat tyre while your vehicle is still on the ground.
2. Using the jack, raise the flat tyre corner high enough for the spare tyre to fit.
3. Now remove the lug nuts from the flat tyre. Place the flat tyre on the ground.
4. Next, put the spare tyre on your vehicle. Put the lug nuts on the spare tyres but do not tighten them yet.
5. Turn your jack in reverse to lower your vehicle. Then tighten the lug nuts to secure the tyre.
Head to a service centre
As spare tyres are not meant to be a permanent replacement for your usual ones, do not travel at high speeds after changing to one. You should visit a vehicle service centre for a proper replacement tyre as soon as possible.
When in doubt
If you are not confident about or might get injured changing a punctured tyre, call for roadside assistance. Your personal safety should be paramount.
Here are a couple of useful numbers:
- BMW Roadside Assistance Hotline: +65 6377 0085 or through the BMW app
- Quick Lane Tyre and Auto Centre hotline (24/7): +65 6477 7368
