Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2

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:

JessicaBrassica · 03/12/2022 13:53

I change my wheel. First flat I got with my current car I pulled off the road to change it... To find an inflation kit which wasn't much help with a 4cm split. Abandoned my car in a pub carpark for a week whilst I waited for the dealership to order in a spare wheel.

I now carry a spare and change it when necessary (generally a couple of times a year). I work very rurally - much of my commute is single track lanes with poor mobile coverage so I can generally find a farm or field gateway to pull into to change it.

UnderPowered · 03/12/2022 13:54

The AA / RAC will change a wheel for you, but they won't tow you anywhere AFAIK.

Treaclemine · 03/12/2022 13:59

My Dad wouldn't let me drive until he had seen me change a tyre. I used to attend a badminton club where I didn't get many games, so I would go outside and have more fun cycling the tyres round for even wear - back in the days of hubs, when you could do that. But now, I'll find a good place to stop and call Skoda Assist (AA actually) 'cos I find the bending a pain, and am not sure where the jack point is.
But I have a proper spare. Absolutely insist on it, in case of being too far from help and replacement.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking

bathorshower · 03/12/2022 14:08

I can and have changed the wheel myself. However I'm pretty certain that I wouldn't have the strength to get the nuts undone with the spanner in our boot - I used to live overseas with no rescue services, so we had to have the kit to deal with it ourselves. The spanner was 3 feet long, and I had to jump on it to loosen the nuts. We do have a spare wheel now, but I'd be calling for help to change it. So carrying a spare wheel alone isn't enough - you also need to know where the jacking points are, and have a jack you're strong enough to use.....

SleepingisanArt · 03/12/2022 14:09

My Audi has the foam stuff and a man from the AA advised me never to use it! It's often out of its use by date (yes they have expiry dates) and will only work for some punctures. I had something go through the sidewall and used his spare wheel to get home and then had a mobile fitter come out to replace the tyre.

It is an extra if you are speccing a new car and most people don't bother.

Oldraver · 03/12/2022 14:11

We've had to use the gunk once but it was only half mile home and just over a mile to the tyre place

But yes if it happened on the M-way we would call recovery

thecatneuterer · 03/12/2022 14:13

My boyfriend has a mobile tyre business. I was surprised that he was so busy and wondered why people didn't just put their spare on. He explained to me that most people these days don't have spares.

And lots of his calls are from AA, RAC etc as they can only tow you to a tyre place if there is actually a tyre place open at that time. Otherwise they will just call out a 24 hour mobile tyre company and the customer will have to pay for it.

lljkk · 03/12/2022 14:30

My little car has a spare (& I can change to it).
Big car = no spare, we'd call roadside rescue if it punctured.

Once when I was 12 or 13, I was in a car when 2 tyres went out due to road debris. Only time that's happened to a car I was in. > 40 years ago. So I believe the general risk is low.

Mentalpiece · 03/12/2022 14:33

My car didn't come with a spare wheel, so I went and got one from the scrapyard.
It lives in my car boot under a black bag.

Giggorata · 03/12/2022 14:39

I ring the AA. I do have a spare wheel, but now I’m older, find i can't undo the wheel nuts, even when standing on the lever.

bloodyeverlastinghell · 03/12/2022 16:33

UnderPowered · 03/12/2022 13:54

The AA / RAC will change a wheel for you, but they won't tow you anywhere AFAIK.

They will it possibly depends on your membership level. I pay for full coverage so if they can’t fix it they tow and give me a hire car whilst it gets fixed (for up to five days).

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread