How to change a tyre on the Motorway

It is an extremely terrifying experience to encounter a blow-out on a motorway, or a puncture.

Stay calm and park your car

It’s natural to panic on realizing that a tyre on your car has blown-out – just stay focused and lower your speed.  The first step is to park your car safely off the road. Turn the wheels to the left and park the car as far to the left on the hard shoulder as possible.

Changing the tyre yourself

It’s definitely not recommended to change tyres yourself, as stated by almost all motor related and motorway authorities , the motorway police and the Highway Code.

If you experience a tyre puncture at night, or when there is no light, then it would be especially risky to try changing the wheel yourself. Do not risk your life, especially when you are on the hard shoulder of a motorway. Attempts to chan ge tyres in this way causes approximately twelve fatalities and 200 injuries annually.

Passengers’ safety

Ask all passengers to step out of the car. Make sure they all stand beyond the safety barrier to save them from fast-moving traffic.

Turn the hazard lights on

It’s very important to make the car visible, so turn on the hazard lights. It’s good to give a warning to oncoming traffic. Every car should keep equipment like a warning triangle and high viz jacket in the boot.

Damage assessment

If the damage is major, then do not call your insurer straight away. Handle the emergency first and only when it is over should you call the help-line. Car insurance packages normally include such services. You will receive good advice on how you should proceed next.

Now to alert the motorway authorities, use one of the emergency phones on the hard shoulder. Wear a high-viz jacket when you walk to the nearest phone on the hard shoulder to protect yourself from oncoming traffic.

If you feel able to change the tyre yourself, it is still wise to inform the motorway unit that your car has a puncture and is parked on the hard shoulder. To begin the process, gather all the items you need before you take the wheel off, including the handbook, jack and wheel wrench, spare tyre and locking wheel nut adaptor.

Setting off again

Check the tyre pressure and wheel nut torque after fitting and adjusting the spare tyre. Slowly and smoothly increase the car’s speed as you leave the hard shoulder and rejoin the motorway.

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Itrat Batool

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