What to Do If Your Volkswagen Gets a Flat Tire

Sep 30, 2023

A flat tire is something that many drivers will experience at least once. It can be a headache, especially as it will usually happen unexpectedly. As your VW dealership, we’d like to advise you on the simple steps to fix this problem and be on the road again in no time.

Find a Safe Location

If you’re driving when you get a flat, scan the area around you for a safe place to pull over. Ideally, you don’t want to drive too far, as driving with a flat is dangerous and will cause extra wear on the axle, braking system, and other components. A good place to change a tire is a space away from moving vehicles that is also relatively flat.

Gather Your Tools

You’ll need your tire iron, jack, and spare tire, which are usually in your trunk. If they’re not there, your car manual will show you their precise location. Depending on your VW model, you may have a regular-size spare tire or a smaller emergency tire known as a donut. The process is the same regardless of the type of spare tire.

Loosen the Lug Nuts

Use the tire iron to loosen all the lug nuts on the flat, but don’t remove them. Loose nuts make the tire easier to remove when you jack up your car.

Use the Jack

Certain sections underneath your car are specially reinforced, as they’re designed for safe placement for a jack. Once again, your car manual will help, as it illustrates these special sections. Once the jack is in place, jack up your car until the flat touches the ground.

Remove Damaged Tire

Unscrew all the loose lug nuts and remove the damaged tire.

Fit Replacement

Place the new tire in position, and carefully line up the holes. Once the replacement is in place, insert and tighten all the lug nuts as securely as possible.

Lower Your Car

Use the jack to lower your car, and then remove the jack. Use the tire iron again to tighten each lug nut as tightly as possible. You can apply extra pressure on the nuts by using your foot to press down on the tire iron when you’re tightening them.

Drive Away

Put the flat, tie iron, and jack back in their resting places, and you’re ready to drive away.

Visit Your Dealer

Visit our service department as soon as you can, and our technicians will check your replacement tire and ensure it’s securely in place. We have a full range of the most popular tires in stock and can supply you with a new spare. If your newly installed tire is a donut, we can replace it with a regular-size tire.

If you’d like to know more about changing a flat, contact us today at Valley Auto World Volkswagen.