Flat Tyre on a Dubai Highway: What to Do
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A tyre blowout at highway speed is frightening, but staying calm and following a few simple steps keeps you in control.
If a tyre bursts while you're driving
- Hold the steering wheel firmly and keep the car straight. The car may pull towards the side of the failed tyre.
- Don't brake hard. Ease off the accelerator and let the car slow down gradually.
- Signal and move to the hard shoulder once you are at a low speed and it is safe to change lanes.
Once you've stopped
- Hazard lights on.
- Get everyone out on the side away from traffic and wait behind the barrier if there is one.
- Place your warning triangle behind the car if you can do so safely.
Should you change the tyre yourself?
Only if all of these are true:
- The flat tyre is on the side away from traffic
- The ground is flat and firm
- You have a usable spare, a jack, the wheel brace and the locking wheel-nut key (if fitted)
- You know how to do it safely
If the flat is on the traffic side, you're on a narrow hard shoulder, or it's very hot, don't risk it — call for flat tyre assistance.
No spare tyre?
Many newer cars carry a tyre repair kit instead of a spare. These can seal a small puncture in the tread, but not a blowout, a cut in the sidewall or a damaged wheel. In those cases the car needs to be recovered to a tyre shop.
Preventing blowouts in the Dubai heat
- Check tyre pressures at least monthly, when the tyres are cold, using the figures on the sticker inside the driver's door.
- Look for cracks, bulges and uneven wear.
- Check the tyre's age: the four-digit code on the sidewall shows the week and year it was made. Older tyres are more likely to fail even with plenty of tread.
- Don't overload the car, especially on long summer drives.
Stuck with a flat tyre in Dubai? Call or WhatsApp your location and we'll help.