How to get the most out of your tyres:

So you've had a flat tyre, what now?

The most immediate problem when you have a flat tyre is to get back on the road. You will usually need to do this by removing the punctured tyre and fitting your spare safely out of the way of any traffic.

However, it is critically important to organise for the punctured tyre to be repaired as soon as possible. This is especially the case if your vehicle's spare tyre is a space saver (or speed limited). Superior Tyres perform puncture repairs and can advise you if your tyre is repairable. Do not attempt to repair tyre punctures yourself.

Depending on the area of the tyre where the puncture occurs will determine if the tyre is repairable. Generally tyres with punctures in the tread area are repairable. A flat tyre is generally caused by a puncture to a tubeless tyre's casing, allowing air to escape and causing the tyre to deflate. Punctures are usually caused by sharp objects like small nails and screws. These objects tend to cause punctures less than 5mm in diameter. If they occur within the tread area of the tyre, a repair can usually be made to the tyre.

Tyres can often be beyond repair and will need replacement if there is sizeable punctures to the tread or punctures to the tyre's shoulder or sidewall areas.

Changing a Tyre

Follow this Procedure...

Driving on a flat tyre can be dangerous and will sometimes cause the tyre to become irreparable.
Step 1: Park the vehicle in a safe location, preferably on a level, hard surface. Apply the parking brake and put the vehicle in 'Park' (automatic) or in gear (manual).
Step 2: Chock the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel you are going to remove with a suitable object. If you are on a slope, always chock the wheel on the low side of the slope.
Step 3: Remove the spare wheel and the jack from their storage locations.
Step 4: Remove the hubcap (if fitted) and only just loosen the wheels nuts, DO NOT remove them.
Step 5: Raise the car with the jack, being careful to use the correct jacking point, until the tyre is around 6cm off the ground.
Step 6: Remove the wheel nuts then remove the wheel from the vehicle using a proper lifting technique.
Step 7: Place the spare wheel on the vehicle, again using a proper lifting technique, and lightly tighten the wheel nuts ensuring the nut is correctly seated. Care should be taken not to 'cross thread' the nut and wheel stud.
Step 8: Lower the car and remove the jack.
Step 9: Now that the wheel is on the ground, tighten the wheel nuts with the wheel brace and replace the hubcap (if it was fitted).
Step 10: Place the removed wheel and jack back in their storage places, and remove the wheel chock.

Keep the Pressure Up

The right tyre inflation pressure for your car can be found in the car manufacturer's handbook. Most tyre manufactures also supply correct pressure and fitment details for their tyres. Tyre pressures relate to loads, speeds and vehicle handling and the right tyre pressure is vital for even braking, maximum grip and good tyre life.

Inflation pressure should be checked at least once a fortnight when the tyre is cold since there is an increase in pressure when the tyre has warmed up after being run. A reliable pressure gauge should always be used.

It is dangerous to re-inflate a tyre which has been run flat or seriously under-inflated and such tyres should be removed and inspected by a tyre specialist.

Age Deterioration

Tyres can deteriorate with age which shows as cracking of the tread and sidewall rubber. Cracking is usually an indication that tyres have been in service an extremely long time.

If cracking is severe the tyre must be replaced. Tyres fitted to caravans and boat trailers which are parked for long periods of time, particularly in coastal regions, will tend to age and crack more quickly than those which are used and run frequently.

Wheels

You should never use a tyre on a damaged, distorted or modified wheel since this could mean the tyre becomes damaged and deflated and could result in the loss of control of the vehicle.

Many modern cars and 4x4 vehicles can be fitted with alternative tyres and wheels than those fitted as original equipment by the car manufacturer. If you would like more information about the possibilities for your vehicle, please ask your Just Tyres specialist.

Tubes in Tubeless Tyre

Inner-tubes of the correct size can be used with tubeless tyres if they are correctly fitted.

Please remember that by fitting tubes in tubeless tyres, in the event of a puncture, the assembly will behave exactly like a tubed tyre – it is likely to lose pressure more rapidly than a tubeless tyre assembly. Where tubes for certain low profile tubeless tyres are not available, an alternative size tube should NOT be fitted.

Tube Type Tyres

Tyres that are marked 'Tube Type' or are not marked 'Tubeless' must be fitted with an inner tube. Some vehicle manufactures recommend that only tube type tyres are fitted to their vehicles.

It is important that the advice in the owner's handbook be followed. A new tube should be fitted whenever the tyre is replaced.

If you have any questions, please speak to an expert Superior Tyres staff.