On this page
- What should you do in the very first minutes after a puncture?
- How can you tell in a few seconds how serious it is?
- When is it a real emergency and when can you wait?
- What should you tell us on the phone to speed things up?
- What should you avoid doing while you wait?
- What if you're on the ring road or the motorway?
- Frequently asked questions
What should you do in the very first minutes after a puncture?
In the first few minutes, all you need to do is get to safety, in the right order:
- Don't brake sharply: hold the steering wheel firmly and slow down gradually.
- Switch on your hazard lights and pull over where you're not in the way, as far from the traffic as possible.
- Come to a complete stop, apply the handbrake and switch off the engine.
- Get out on the side away from the traffic, if you can; outside built-up areas, at night or in poor visibility, put on your high-visibility vest first.
- Place the warning triangle (for cars at least 50 m behind the vehicle, visible from at least 100 m).
- Move away from the carriageway and call +39 377 326 0999.
The details are in the guide on how to stay safe after a puncture.
How can you tell in a few seconds how serious it is?
A quick look at the tyre, from a safe position, already tells you a lot. This triage helps us work out how to deal with it:
| What you see | What it usually means | Find out more |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre completely squashed | Major loss of pressure: don't drive | Flat tyre |
| Tyre low but not flat | Slow leak, possibly a small hole | Tyre losing air |
| Nail or screw visible in the tread | Often repairable if in the central area | Nail in the tyre |
| Cut or tear on the sidewall | Usually not repairable | Cut tyre |
| Tyre burst, shredded | Needs replacing | Tyre blowout |
If the nail is still stuck in the tyre, don't pull it out: it often limits the air loss.
When is it a real emergency and when can you wait?
It's an emergency when you're stopped in a dangerous spot, the tyre is flat or has burst, or you can't leave the vehicle where it is. In these cases, call straight away.
You can take things more calmly if the car is parked safely, for example outside your home, and the tyre is losing air slowly. Even then, it's best not to use it: a service at your door saves you driving on an underinflated tyre.
What should you tell us on the phone to speed things up?
The more precise the information, the faster the job: we set off straight away with the right equipment, tell you when we'll arrive and get you back on the road in no time. Have these ready:
- exact location: street, house number, direction of travel, landmark; on WhatsApp you can send your location;
- vehicle model and, if you can, the tyre size;
- what's on board: spare wheel, space-saver, repair kit or nothing;
- a photo of the damage, taken only if you're safe.
You can also send everything via the assistance request form.
What should you avoid doing while you wait?
Some instinctive reactions can make things worse:
- Don't carry on driving on a flat "to the next tyre shop": the structure gets damaged and the tyre becomes unrepairable.
- Don't stay inside the car, or next to it on the traffic side.
- Don't attempt a wheel change on a busy carriageway or on a slope.
- Don't use the sealant kit on cuts or sidewall damage: it won't work and can complicate a later repair. See repair kit or space-saver.
What if you're on the ring road or the motorway?
If you're stopped on the hard shoulder, there's only one rule: get out of the vehicle on the side away from the traffic, get behind the crash barrier and call from there. Don't cross the carriageway and don't try to change the wheel yourself with vehicles speeding past. Put on your high-visibility vest before getting out.
Call us even if you're on Milan's tangenziali (ring roads) or in the surrounding area and neighbouring provinces: we'll assess the situation with you straight away. Tell us your direction of travel and the last junction you passed.
Frequently asked questions
Should I remove the nail from the tyre before the tyre fitter arrives?
No. If a nail or screw is still stuck in the tyre, leave it where it is: it often acts as a plug and slows the air loss. Removing it can make the tyre deflate quickly. Leave the assessment to the technician, who will also check the inside of the tyre before deciding whether it can be repaired.
Can I drive a few hundred metres on a flat tyre?
Only if staying put is dangerous, and only at walking pace to the nearest safe spot. Driving on a flat ruins the tyre's internal structure, often makes it unrepairable and can damage the rim, as well as reducing the vehicle's stability.
Should I use the inflation kit straight away in an emergency?
A sealant kit with compressor only works on small holes in the tread, not on cuts or shoulder damage. If you're not sure what kind of damage it is, call SOS Tyre first on +39 377 326 0999: some sealants can make a later repair more complicated.
How do I describe my location if I don't know the street?
On WhatsApp you can send your location from your phone. Alternatively, give a visible landmark, such as a shop, a tram or metro stop or a petrol station, or your direction of travel and the last exit or junction you passed. Every detail helps us find you sooner.