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Original poster

day off work for flat tyre?

82 replies

cosmobrown · 11/09/2025 23:30

Coming home from working this evening I found I had a flat tyre. Someone had an electric pump and pumped it up so I could get home. Tyre pressure light came on again as I turned into my road.
We live fairly rural so no public transport.
I don't know what to do other than phone up places tomorrow morning and see if someone can get a tyre in for me in the afternoon?

It seems silly to have to cancel work (and give refunds) just because of flat tyre.
Any suggestions?

OP posts:
PlaceIntheClouds · 12/09/2025 06:21

If the tyre is damaged it's not a good idea to make journeys on it other than to the tyre shop. Can you drop it off and get a taxi to work?

landlordhell · 12/09/2025 06:35

Haggisfish3 · 11/09/2025 23:45

there are several companies that will come and fit a new one on the drive. I used them before.

This

Beentheretoolong · 12/09/2025 06:42

Ring a mobile tyre fitter first thing. I had one come out to me in less than an hour this week and they may well have more stock than advertised. If it’s repairable they will do that on the spot too. As someone else said don’t use the sealant stuff cars come with though as the tyre is totally wrecked then.

DeanElderberry · 12/09/2025 06:54

I am sympathetic and hope you can get the situation sorted, but for the future: changing a wheel is easy and only takes ten minutes. If you live in a rural area and have to drive a lot, learn how to do it, buy a spare, carry it in the car, and know that in the future you'll be able to do it yourself. I've had to do a few side-or-the-road tyre changes over the years before we had mobile phones, and although I prefer being able to call for help. I'm glad I know how.

The assumption with modern cars that you don't need to have a spare tyre (they used to be standard) is no helpful.

And everyone, call into a tyre centre and get your tyres checked a couple of times a year.

Ellmau · 12/09/2025 07:05

Could you get a taxi, or would that be too expensive?

gellielli · 12/09/2025 07:10

Drive slowly to a tyre place. There are a few near me, they just change your tyre there and then. You might be a bit late but better than not going to work at all.

HelloGreen · 12/09/2025 07:24

Buy an electric pump for yourself for the future. They are handy.

Clarefromwork · 12/09/2025 07:25

Could you get a hire car until sorted?

EasySqueezy · 12/09/2025 07:31

We live fairly rural. Had a tyre blow after hitting one of the (many) potholes. Phoned a local mobile tyre fitter and he was there in an hour and did it on the side of the road. Try Facebook or google local mobile roadside tyre fitters.

PuggyPuggyPuggy · 12/09/2025 07:33

DeanElderberry · 12/09/2025 06:54

I am sympathetic and hope you can get the situation sorted, but for the future: changing a wheel is easy and only takes ten minutes. If you live in a rural area and have to drive a lot, learn how to do it, buy a spare, carry it in the car, and know that in the future you'll be able to do it yourself. I've had to do a few side-or-the-road tyre changes over the years before we had mobile phones, and although I prefer being able to call for help. I'm glad I know how.

The assumption with modern cars that you don't need to have a spare tyre (they used to be standard) is no helpful.

And everyone, call into a tyre centre and get your tyres checked a couple of times a year.

I can change a tyre - provided that it's possible to remove the flat tyre without the help of machinery. The last time I successfully changed a tyre on my own, it was in a layby on the side of a dual carriageway, in the pouring rain, in the dark, about 15 years ago. I can definitely do it! The next time I needed to change a tyre, I was helped by a passing tyre fitter who saw me trying to stand on the tyre iron in the attempt to loosen the nuts (bolts? 🤷) because the damn things are screwed on so tight. Just having a spare, the tools, and the knowledge doesn't help if you don't have the strength.

LillyPJ · 12/09/2025 07:33

I guess it's a lesson for the future! If you rely on your car for work, at least get Home Start on your breakdown insurance.

tinofthetop · 12/09/2025 07:34

DeanElderberry · 12/09/2025 06:54

I am sympathetic and hope you can get the situation sorted, but for the future: changing a wheel is easy and only takes ten minutes. If you live in a rural area and have to drive a lot, learn how to do it, buy a spare, carry it in the car, and know that in the future you'll be able to do it yourself. I've had to do a few side-or-the-road tyre changes over the years before we had mobile phones, and although I prefer being able to call for help. I'm glad I know how.

The assumption with modern cars that you don't need to have a spare tyre (they used to be standard) is no helpful.

And everyone, call into a tyre centre and get your tyres checked a couple of times a year.

There is no room for me to carry a spare tyre in my car. I have a no lip boot loading area, so flat and easy to get stuff in and out but under that where there would normally be a space to store extra stuff or a tyre I have a giant battery as it is a mild hybrid. My car came with that tyre repair sealant shit and I will never use it.

@cosmobrown If your car tyre still looks fine then before sensors you would drive that car. It seems like it may have a slow leak so you may be able to drive it somewhere if it isn't flat as a pancake. Just giving you options other than mobile tyre unit.

Sundaymorningcalla · 12/09/2025 07:47

If it's been driven on flat or partially deflated it'll be fucked and not repairable. A tyre is the only thing that keeps your 1.3 tonne hunk of metal on the road, and people cheap out with repairs after driving on flats after their tyres integrity has been comprised. A puncture repair is only useful and safe if the car hasn't been driven whilst the tyre is deflated.

A decent tyre fitting shop will replace the tyre within a few hours, most can order what they don't have in stock and have them delivered same day, it doesn't have to be exactly the same size, most manufacturers use awkward sizes that tend to be more expensive.

Buy a spare wheel and brace kit.

LillyPJ · 12/09/2025 07:53

@tinofthetop The car I drive now is the first I've had with tyre pressure sensors. When the warning light came on (on the motorway) I panicked, thought of all sorts of terrible scenarios, came off at the next services and phoned DP. Of course, the tyres were fine - one of them had just lost a bit of pressure which I soon pumped up. In my old car I'd have driven around for months, quite happy and none the wiser. I'm ok with the sensors now - it's just a handy warning. I just wasn't used to things beeping and lighting up on the dashboard.

RedRiverShore5 · 12/09/2025 07:58

My sensor came on once when the weather turned colder, I thought I had a flat tyre but it was fine, it must have been a bit low and the cold sent it just below.

sadtimeshardtimes · 12/09/2025 08:01

most tyre places you can just rock up and they’ll do it while you wait. It doesn’t take long. 20 minutes max

DinoLil · 12/09/2025 08:05

You don't need a new tyre. You just need a puncture repaired.

And you will have a spare tyre, probably a space saver underneath your car if it's not in the boot. If you really haven't, then your car will have a puncture repair kit.

Phone and ask someone to come out and fix a puncture, not to fit a new tyre.

Doggymummar · 12/09/2025 08:07

cosmobrown · 11/09/2025 23:54

Looking at mobile tyre websites, no-one can fit a tyre for me until next Tuesday!
I'm a music teacher by the way!
Again, I will call the mobile tyre fitters tomorrow to check.

Can your students come to you?

DeanElderberry · 12/09/2025 08:21

It hadn't occurred to me that electric cars have no space for a spare AND are likely to be too heavy to safely lift with a standard jack. That makes it seem important to have a phone number of a tyre emergency service programmed into your phone.

I agree with the people saying not to panic because the warning light is on - if your tyre still looks inflated, even a little soft, you'll be safe to drive (slowly) to a tyre centre.

Get them checked regularly.

Astrabees · 12/09/2025 08:23

It is utterly ridiculous that these days cars don’t automatically come with a spare tyre. I have always bought one as an extra with cars I have owned. My father taught me how to change a tyre when I was 17 and learned to drive. All cars should have spare tyres as standard and we should learn how to change them.

Mama2many73 · 12/09/2025 08:27

cosmobrown · 12/09/2025 00:19

I've found out that my car has a puncture repair kit to get me to a tyre place. I've only had the car 3 weeks so I had to look that up!
At least I can dump the car at a garage until they can get a tyre in. (Or hopefully repair it). It just seems a shame that it's probably going to take all day to get a tyre fitted.
@CalzoneOnLegs Thanks for this. I can't find out this info on the AA's website, but I'll call them tomorrow too.

AA told us NOT to use the repair kit provider unless an extreme emergency. It damages the tyre and it can't then be repaired. We were told to blow it up best you can and drive carefully to a garage.

RB68 · 12/09/2025 08:33

bear in mind particularly if you have a heavier (electric) or higher engine power if you replace one tyre you should really replace the opposite one if they have not been changed v recently - and don't forget tracking. If they haven't been done for a few years check them all for tread as well. we have a heavier car and 4 tyres just cost us 650 and they were mid range ones

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 12/09/2025 08:36

To those people actually changing tyres by the side of the road, respect! I can change a wheel but that's another level!

Mugfills · 12/09/2025 08:42

DeanElderberry · 12/09/2025 06:54

I am sympathetic and hope you can get the situation sorted, but for the future: changing a wheel is easy and only takes ten minutes. If you live in a rural area and have to drive a lot, learn how to do it, buy a spare, carry it in the car, and know that in the future you'll be able to do it yourself. I've had to do a few side-or-the-road tyre changes over the years before we had mobile phones, and although I prefer being able to call for help. I'm glad I know how.

The assumption with modern cars that you don't need to have a spare tyre (they used to be standard) is no helpful.

And everyone, call into a tyre centre and get your tyres checked a couple of times a year.

I know how to change a tyre, but with the modern way of tightening the nuts mechanically, I'm not strong enough to do it...and neither, is suspect are the majority of the population.

I've used my tyre repair kit and whilst it won't save you in all situations, imo it's far more likely to help a than a spare tyre is.

That said, once you use it the tyre can't be repaired, so if there's an option to get to a tyre repair place, I'd do that first.

In OP's situation, I'd call clients and explain, in the hope that at least some of them would offer a lift, or I'd walk, cycle or take a taxi.