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Original poster

What did you do when you had a puncture?

36 replies

NewCarSoon · 03/12/2022 10:09

I’m about to take delivery of a new (secondhand three years old) Honda Jazz. There is no spare wheel, and when I asked the salesman about a space saving wheel, he said that they don’t sell them anymore although I could buy one online. He said that if people get punctures these days then they just call roadside assistance and get the car towed away to tyre place. He admitted that the foam stuff that you are supposed to use to fill the tyre doesn’t work very well.

Is this usual now? I’ve been driving for 30 years and have only changed my car three times so maybe I’m a bit behind the times. However, the thought of having my car towed who knows where for want of a new tyre doesn’t sit well with me when it used to be that the spare wheel was fitted as soon as roadside assistance pitched up. Over the years I seem to have had more call outs for punctures than anything else, so it is a concern. Thoughts anyone?

OP posts:
itsthelittlethinggs · 03/12/2022 10:14

We’ve for the foam gunk. It’s fine and will get your to the nearest garage without waiting hours for roadside assistance
we've had a space saver on the last car and that was also fine

KatnissNeverdone · 03/12/2022 10:15

I've got a wheelchair adapted van with no space for a spare wheel. I've got a can of tyre repair foam to use in an emergency. It apparently repairs and inflates the tyre so that you can drive it to get to a repair place. I've not had to use it (frantically knocks on wood) so no idea how good it is but reviews on line seem ok.

Upfartooearly · 03/12/2022 10:19

I’ve got run flat tyres which have been fitted on my last 3 cars. They are more expensive to replace and they can’t be repaired easily but it does give me reassurance that I’d not get stranded anywhere.

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Sparklingbrook · 03/12/2022 10:21

Back in the day I had a spare tyre and would do it myself. These days I’d just call Green Flag because I feel it would be safer.

SilentHedges · 03/12/2022 10:23

@NewCarSoon I've just bought a newer Honda Jazz (8 years old, new for me!) and same, I was surprised to see no spare wheel. There is space in my model under the boot to put one in, so I'll buy one myself, online, for about £100 with a toolkit. I just feel better about having one.

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 03/12/2022 10:24

I would buy a spare wheel online. I never drive without a spare. Its such an easy fix, and seems a shame to waste time with breakdown.

BucketofTeaMassiveCake · 03/12/2022 10:25

I keep a foot pump in the boot, and I reflated it which took a while, then I drove it carefully to my usual garage as I was in the local area. I'm a nervous driver and my heart was in my mouth, but I managed.

bloodyeverlastinghell · 03/12/2022 10:26

I’ve called RAC and I had a spare. He said often gets call outs to people with foam covered trousers when it’s all gone wrong. There is a mobile 24 hour tyre change company in the not massive city near where I live, might be worth finding out if you have similar. RAC will tow you to park and ride, mobile people will change your tire there. Happened to a friend of mine. It was ten quid on top of what she’d normally pay for a new tire.

softpilllow · 03/12/2022 10:27

It may be worth looking up local roadside tyre fitters and having their contact details?

softpilllow · 03/12/2022 10:27

Not local, national Blush

antipodeancanary · 03/12/2022 10:29

Green flag. I used to have the puncture foam, but it never worked on the type of puncture I had. Just poured straight through the tyre onto the road

Sparklingbrook · 03/12/2022 10:35

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 03/12/2022 10:24

I would buy a spare wheel online. I never drive without a spare. Its such an easy fix, and seems a shame to waste time with breakdown.

I think it really depends where the puncture happens. I wouldn't be attempting to change a wheel in the dark, or on the motorway etc
I wouldn't feel like calling Green Flag was a waste of time as it's what I pay them for.

whosaidtha · 03/12/2022 11:41

Foam didn't work at all for us. We call tyre repair people who change your tyre on the road side. No need to get the car towed. Took a few hours so I just got a taxi where I was going and back for the time they booked. Also used them for when we were at home.

Spectre8 · 03/12/2022 11:46

They don't give spares cos weight of a wheel affects fuel economy etc.

Just got a used car, when the front tyres are around 2mm I'm gonna swap them for new ones and put one of the old ones in the boot as a spare

I've only ever had one flat and that was this yr after 20yrs of driving...must be lucky

Had some guys in a pub change it for me and bought then some drinks ...much faster to be honest.

So thats my plan when I need to chnage a tyre ill hold it as a spare

Notanotherwindow · 03/12/2022 11:46

I just drove on it to the nearest tyre place. Didn't even realise it was flat until I went round a corner and heard it flapping and by that point I was halfway there so I just thought fuck it, its driving OK so just kept going. It was fine.

Kazzyhoward · 03/12/2022 11:54

The last two cars we've bought didn't come with a spare tyre. We made it clear that it was a deal breaker and we wanted proper spare tyre in each. In both cases, the garage relented and a spare tyre was provided.

We always change our own tyres and take the punctured one to the tyre place for repair. Usually OH does the change, but I can do it too, and have done a few times.

softpilllow · 03/12/2022 11:59

The last two cars we've bought didn't come with a spare tyre. We made it clear that it was a deal breaker and we wanted proper spare tyre in each. In both cases, the garage relented and a spare tyre was provided.

That's incredible, most dealers will simply tell you if you want it you pay for it like an other optional extra.

softpilllow · 03/12/2022 11:59

Notanotherwindow · 03/12/2022 11:46

I just drove on it to the nearest tyre place. Didn't even realise it was flat until I went round a corner and heard it flapping and by that point I was halfway there so I just thought fuck it, its driving OK so just kept going. It was fine.

Yeah don't do this. Easiest way to damage your wheel.

softpilllow · 03/12/2022 12:00

Spectre8 · 03/12/2022 11:46

They don't give spares cos weight of a wheel affects fuel economy etc.

Just got a used car, when the front tyres are around 2mm I'm gonna swap them for new ones and put one of the old ones in the boot as a spare

I've only ever had one flat and that was this yr after 20yrs of driving...must be lucky

Had some guys in a pub change it for me and bought then some drinks ...much faster to be honest.

So thats my plan when I need to chnage a tyre ill hold it as a spare

You need the wheel as well though?

SkylightSkylight · 03/12/2022 12:08

I wouldn't drive without a spare wheel! I wouldn't buy a new car without space for one or accepting it would take up space in the boot.

last time I called my FWB to change it for me because after my accident, I'm no longer able to do it myself.

but with a spare wheel it's much easier to get help & be back on the road.

im a member of the RAC, but having the car towed to a garage/wheel place is a massive inconvenience much easier to have a tyre they can change.

Original poster
NewCarSoon · 03/12/2022 13:24

@SkylightSkylight last time I called my FWB to change it for me
That is a benefit worth having
🤣🤣🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
NewCarSoon · 03/12/2022 13:24

Thanks guys for all your replies. I will get the spare tyre!

OP posts:
user1477249785 · 03/12/2022 13:26

We got a flat recently and used the foam. It was excellent and held up for a week before we could get a new tire.

Startuplife · 03/12/2022 13:30

A few years ago we had 2 of our tyres slashed with no chance of the foam working. It was pretty easy to find a mobile tyre company to come out and change them and that was on a Sunday morning.

emmathedilemma · 03/12/2022 13:34

Also a Honda owner and my tire pressure warning light comes on so often that if I do actually have a flat tire I’ll probably ignore it! I don’t have a spare either and I’ve never really thought about it! I’m not sure I’d know how to change it if I had one……only time I had a flat in a previous car I managed to limp into work and the lads changed it at lunchtime for me :)