In this guide 6 sections
Most punctures are caught by a flat tyre on a busy road, and the instinct is to just get it patched and go. That is often fine. Sometimes it is not, and the difference matters because a tyre is the only thing connecting your vehicle to the road.
Safe at the roadside first
- Slow down gradually. Do not brake hard or swerve.
- Pull over somewhere flat, off the carriageway, and switch on the hazard lights.
- If you are on a bend, a slope or a narrow road, drive slowly on to a safer spot rather than stopping where you are, even if that means riding on the flat for a short distance.
- Do not change a tyre on a slope or with traffic passing close by.
Can this puncture be repaired?
A repair is generally acceptable when all of these are true:
Safe to repair if
- Where
- The puncture is in the central tread area, not near the edge or sidewall
- Size
- A small hole, roughly the size of a nail or screw
- Damage
- No cuts, bulges or exposed cords anywhere else on the tyre
- Driving
- The tyre was not driven on for long while flat
- Age
- The tread still has good depth and the tyre is not old or cracked
A proper repair is done with the tyre off the wheel, inspected inside, and sealed from the inside with a plug-and-patch. A quick plug pushed in from the outside without removing the tyre is a temporary fix at best.
When you should replace it instead
- The damage is on the sidewall or the edge of the tread.
- The hole is large, or there is more than one puncture close together.
- The tyre was driven flat for a distance. Even if it looks fine outside, the inside can be damaged.
- It has already been repaired in the same spot.
- The tread is worn down to the wear indicators, or the rubber is cracked with age.
Bikes and scooters
Tubeless tyres, now common on newer bikes, can often be plugged quickly. Older tube-type tyres need the tube patched or replaced. In both cases, check the tyre for the object that caused the puncture before putting the tube or plug back, or it will happen again.
Getting it done without leaving your vehicle
Puncture repair and tyre swaps can usually be done where you are. Alignment and balancing need a workshop, so the provider collects the vehicle and brings it back. On Najik you describe where you are and what is wrong, and a coordinator sends the nearest available provider across Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.
Tyre help on Najik
Frequently asked questions
Can a puncture be repaired on the roadside?
A temporary plug often can. For a lasting repair, the tyre should come off the wheel and be checked and sealed from the inside.
How long can I drive on a repaired tyre?
A correct plug-and-patch repair in the right area is designed to last the remaining life of the tyre. A quick outside plug should be replaced with a proper repair soon.
How do I know when tyres need replacing?
When the tread reaches the wear indicators, the sidewalls crack or bulge, or the tyres are many years old even if they look fine.
Do I need wheel alignment after a puncture?
Not for a puncture alone. It is worth checking after a pothole hit or if the car pulls to one side.
Flat tyre? Stay where it is safe.
Tell us where you are and what vehicle it is. A coordinator will send a provider to you.
