Complete Guide to Emergency Tyre Change in Ireland
Step-by-step instructions for safely changing a flat tyre on Irish roads, from motorways to country lanes. Know when to DIY and when to call professionals.
Safety First on Irish Roads
On motorways (M1, M4, M7, M8, M9, M11, M18, M20, M50) and dual carriageways, consider calling professional 24/7 tyre services rather than attempting a DIY change. High-speed traffic and narrow hard shoulders make roadside changes extremely dangerous.
Should You Change It Yourself or Call a Professional?
Safe to DIY
- • Car parks or service stations
- • Quiet residential streets
- • Country roads with wide verges
- • Private driveways
- • Good weather and daylight
- • You have proper tools and spare tyre
- • You're confident with the process
Call 24/7 Professional
- • Motorways (M1, M4, M7, M8, M9, M11, M18, M20, M50)
- • Dual carriageways or busy A-roads
- • Bad weather (rain, wind, darkness)
- • Heavy traffic areas
- • Missing tools or damaged spare tyre
- • Feeling unsafe or unsure
- • Multiple flat tyres
Essential Tools for Tyre Changes in Ireland
Required Tools (Check Before You Travel)
Basic Requirements:
- • Spare tyre (properly inflated)
- • Car jack (specific to your vehicle)
- • Wheel brace/lug wrench
- • Vehicle handbook
Recommended Extras:
- • High-vis jacket (legal requirement on motorways)
- • Warning triangles
- • Waterproof gloves
- • Torch with batteries
- • Wheel chocks
Legal Requirements on Irish Motorways
Since 2019, wearing a high-visibility vest is mandatory when outside your vehicle on Irish motorways. Fines up to €120 apply. Keep hi-vis vests accessible for all passengers.
Step-by-Step Tyre Change Instructions
Safety First - Secure Your Location
Pull over as far left as safely possible. On motorways, use emergency phones rather than attempting a change. On regular roads, find the firmest, most level ground available.
- • Turn on hazard lights immediately
- • Apply handbrake and engage first gear (manual) or park (automatic)
- • Turn engine off and remove keys
- • Put on high-vis jacket before exiting
- • Place warning triangle 50-100 metres behind car (if safe to do so)
Prepare Your Tools and Spare Tyre
Locate your spare tyre (usually in boot), jack, and wheel brace. Many Irish cars have space-saver spares rather than full-size tyres - these have speed and distance limitations.
- • Check spare tyre pressure visually (should be firm)
- • Remove spare tyre from boot storage
- • Locate jack and wheel brace (check vehicle handbook for location)
- • If available, place wheel chocks behind wheels opposite to the flat
Loosen the Wheel Bolts (Don't Remove Yet)
Remove the wheel trim or hubcap if necessary. Loosen the wheel bolts while the tyre is still on the ground - this prevents the wheel from spinning when you apply force.
- • Turn bolts anti-clockwise (lefty-loosey)
- • Only loosen 1-2 turns - don't remove completely yet
- • Use your body weight on the wheel brace if bolts are tight
- • Most Irish cars have 4 or 5 wheel bolts
Position and Operate the Jack
Find the correct jacking point (marked on the car's sill). Never jack under plastic panels or bodywork. Irish weather can make metal surfaces slippery, so ensure the jack is stable.
- • Place jack on firm, level ground under the jacking point
- • Raise the car until the flat tyre is just off the ground
- • Don't raise higher than necessary - stability is crucial
- • Never put any part of your body under the raised car
Remove the Flat Tyre
Now fully remove the loosened wheel bolts and pull the tyre towards you. Tyres are heavier than they look - be prepared for the weight.
- • Fully unscrew the loosened wheel bolts
- • Keep bolts safe - put them in your pocket or a secure container
- • Pull the wheel straight towards you to remove it
- • Lay the flat tyre flat on the ground away from traffic
Mount the Spare Tyre
Align the spare tyre with the wheel bolts and push it onto the hub. The bolt holes should line up easily if the tyre is properly positioned.
- • Lift the spare tyre onto the wheel hub
- • Align holes with the wheel bolt threads
- • Replace wheel bolts and hand-tighten first
- • Use wheel brace to tighten bolts - don't fully tighten yet
Lower the Car and Final Tightening
Lower the jack until the spare tyre touches the ground but still supports some weight. Fully tighten the wheel bolts, then lower completely.
- • Lower car until spare tyre just touches ground with slight pressure
- • Fully tighten wheel bolts in a star/cross pattern
- • Lower car completely and remove jack
- • Give bolts a final check - they should be very tight
Pack Up and Check Everything
Store the flat tyre and tools in your boot. Remove warning triangles and prepare to drive. Space-saver spares have driving restrictions you must follow.
- • Store flat tyre, jack, and tools securely in boot
- • Remove warning triangles (store safely)
- • Check area for any dropped tools or debris
- • Plan your route to nearest tyre service for permanent repair
Important: Space-Saver Tyre Limitations
Temporary Use Only
Most cars sold in Ireland come with space-saver spare tyres, not full-size spares. These have strict usage limitations that must be followed.
Speed Restrictions
- • Maximum speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
- • No motorway driving recommended
- • Avoid dual carriageways when possible
- • Drive smoothly - no harsh acceleration or braking
- • Reduced cornering ability
Distance Limitations
- • Maximum distance: 80-100 km
- • Get to nearest tyre service immediately
- • Not suitable for long journeys
- • Check pressure before driving
- • Replace with proper tyre ASAP
Special Considerations for Irish Roads
Weather Challenges
Irish weather can change rapidly, making roadside tyre changes more dangerous and difficult.
- • Frequent rain makes surfaces slippery and tools harder to grip
- • Strong coastal winds can affect stability when jacking
- • Limited daylight hours in winter (October-March)
- • Sudden weather changes require quick decision-making
Road Types and Challenges
Motorways (M1-M50):
- • High-speed traffic (120 km/h)
- • Narrow hard shoulders
- • Emergency phones every 2km
- • Professional service recommended
Country Roads:
- • Narrow lanes with limited space
- • Soft grass verges (can sink)
- • Agricultural vehicles
- • Limited mobile phone coverage
Legal Requirements & Safety
- • High-vis jackets mandatory on motorways (€120 fine)
- • Minimum tyre tread depth: 1.6mm across central 3/4 of tyre
- • Warning triangles recommended but not legally required
- • Insurance may require professional assistance on motorways
- • Garda emergency number: 999 or 112
When Professional Help is the Right Choice
Safety Situations
- • Motorway or dual carriageway breakdown
- • Heavy traffic or poor visibility
- • Bad weather conditions
- • Nighttime on busy roads
- • Feeling unsafe or unsure
- • Pregnancy, disability, or health concerns
Technical Issues
- • Damaged or flat spare tyre
- • Missing or broken tools
- • Seized or damaged wheel bolts
- • Multiple flat tyres
- • Alloy wheel damage
- • TPMS sensor complications
Need Immediate Professional Help?
Our verified 24/7 tyre services cover all Irish counties with emergency callout teams available around the clock. Professional, insured, and equipped for all situations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Attempting changes on motorways
Irish motorways have narrow hard shoulders and high-speed traffic. Use emergency phones and wait for professional assistance.
Not wearing high-vis jacket
Legally required on motorways and crucial for visibility on all roads. Keep hi-vis jackets accessible for all passengers.
Jacking on soft ground
Irish grass verges can be soft and muddy. Always find firm, level ground or use a wooden board under the jack base.
Ignoring space-saver limitations
Driving over 80km/h or long distances on space-savers is dangerous and can cause blowouts or loss of control.
Not checking spare tyre condition
Spare tyres can lose pressure over time or deteriorate. Check monthly and after any puncture repair.
Stay Safe on Irish Roads
While knowing how to change a tyre is valuable, sometimes the safest option is calling a professional. Our verified 24/7 services are available across Ireland when you need them most.