Tires, wheels, and punctures — what you need to know.

Puncture and tire change are among the most common tasks in auto roadside assistance — and one of the tasks where modern technology has changed the most about how you approach it. Tires and wheels are far from just rubber and metal; they contain sensors, special designs, and requirements that must be understood to solve the task correctly and safely.

§TPMS — tire pressure monitoring is mandatory

Since 2021, municipalities must collect household and household-like waste from businesses in ten fractions: food waste, paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic, textile waste, food and beverage cartons, residual waste and hazardous waste. The requirement was introduced as an amendment to the waste order to streamline collection across the country, so citizens and businesses encounter the same categories regardless of where they live or work.

§Run-flat tires — keep going, but not too far

Run-flat tires have reinforced sidewalls that allow the car to continue for a short distance at low speed even after a puncture. They replace the spare wheel in many cars. The disadvantage is that it can be difficult to detect a puncture in a run-flat tire without TPMS, because the tire does not collapse the same way as a regular tire — it is therefore strongly recommended to never continue on a run-flat tire without functioning tire pressure monitoring.

§Spare wheel, tyre sealant and space-saver.

Not all cars have a full spare wheel anymore. Many instead come with a tyre sealant and a small compressor, or a so-called space-saver wheel — a narrower spare wheel with a lower maximum speed and typically only designed to get the car to the nearest workshop, not for extended driving. As an auto assistant, you must know the difference and inform the customer of the limitations when fitting a space-saver wheel.

• 01Check and record cooling and freezing temperatures.
• 02Reset or reconnect the TPMS sensor after a wheel change if the car requires it.
• 03Warn customer about speed and distance restrictions on a space-saver wheel.
• 04Always investigate whether the puncture is simple damage or a sign of a deeper fault (e.g. skewed alignment).

§Correct wheel installation

When the wheel is changed, it's critical that the bolts or studs are tightened correctly and in the right pattern—typically diagonally or crosswise—so the wheel is pulled evenly onto the hub without skewing. Too-loose bolts can come loose during driving with serious consequences; too-tight can damage the brake disc or make removal hard later. Use a torque wrench where possible and follow the manufacturer's prescribed torque.

§Safe use of a jack

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A wheel change seems simple from the outside but contains several technical details than most drivers realise. The car mechanic who understands TPMS run-flat technology and correct assembly delivers not just a quick fix — but a safe and durable one.