How to prevent a flat tyre

Here are 7 things you can do to avoid a flat tyre:

1. Don’t overload your vehicle: Putting too much weight on your tyres can cause tyre blowouts and eventually road accidents. We advise that you refer to your tyres’ load index on their sidewalls for guidance.
   
   

2. Avoid road hazards: A common cause of punctured or flat tyres is hazardous road debris. Things like nails, screws and sharp rocks found along the road or in construction sites can all put your vehicle at great risk for flat tyres. Staying alert on the road can prevent you from running over these objects. 

    

3. Always check your tyre pressure: Have your tyre pressure checked once a month or before a long trip. Tyre pressure checks can be done at home with a reliable tyre pressure gauge or by a professional at your nearest tyre garage.  

   Overinflated tyres hinder vehicle control by reducing braking performance. Underinflated tyres damage the internal structure of your tyres and impact steering ability. 

4. Store your tyres properly: To keep your spare and seasonal tyres from overheating, we recommend that you store them in a clean and ventilated area. It is equally important to keep them away from chemicals (like aromatic hydrocarbons in coal, tar, and oil) that could alter rubber properties. 

5. Drive smoothly: Sudden braking and aggressive cornering can cause serious damage to your tyre tread. Repeated acceleration also wears the surface of your tyres faster. Slowing down, keeping the distance from other vehicles, and braking smoothly can reduce the risk of getting a flat tyre. 

6. Rotate your tyres: To ensure even tyre wear and lengthen tyre mileage, we suggest that you rotate your tyres approximately every 8,000 km to 10,000 km or when you buy a pair of new tyres. 

7. Get new tyres: Your tyres have expiry dates. If they have been in use for more than six years, you should consider changing them. Get fresh new tyres from us to avoid your expired ones running flat and ensure you a pleasant drive until the last kilometre.

There are two main ways to fix your punctured tyre: a temporary and permanent fix. The severity of your punctured tyres will determine what is best for you. 

A temporary fix for a punctured tyre can be divided as follows:

• With a patch: A patch is a piece of rubber that is put on the inside of your tyre to cover a puncture and stop air leakage. A patch repair is an effective way to fix small punctures in the tread area.

• With a plug: A plug is inserted into the tyre to close up punctures. A plug is considered a temporary solution to a flat tyre because it can come off eventually.

However, fixing large punctures with patches and plugs is an expensive, ineffective, and time-consuming process. In that case, we strongly recommend that you have your punctured tyre replaced to ensure your maximum safety on the road. This is the permanent fix you might actually need in the first place. Read more about how to fix a flat tyre here.

Tyre replacement is one of the quickest and most effective ways to prevent a flat tyre and improve your vehicle’s performance. Michelin offers an extensive range of high-quality tyres with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee and a 6 year warranty. Browse our tyre catalogue for more information.