A tyre on the trailer of a Polish transport company burst on the A1 Motorway just before 58089 Hagen, forcing the driver to stop on the hard shoulder. We contacted the police to secure the breakdown site, organised a suitable tyre in size 385 65 22.5 and brought the mobile tyre service directly to the motorway.
Flat tyre on the Autobahn in Germany - What to do
- Get off the accelerator immediately, switch on the hazard warning lights and pull over to the right-hand side of the road as soon as possible
- Put on a reflective west
- Set up a warning triangle about 100 metres in front of the broken-down vehicle
- Request help from a breakdown service or contact the police / motorway maintenance service to secure the breakdown site
The quickest and most cost-effective way to resolve the situation would be a mobile tyre service, which can replace the tyre directly on the Autobahn. Unlike other breakdown causes, it is often not possible to tow a truck or trailer with a burst tyre. If there is no spare tyre on site, a local provider with the correct size and type in stock must be found. Prices and hourly rates also vary enormously between tyre services, depending on the type and time of the job. Unpredictable factors such as freight loads and rusted nuts can also extend the time required to fit tyres.
With our large, Germany-wide network of partner companies, AwHelp24 takes care of the tyre change, including contact with the authorities at the lowest, fixed price.
Truck tyre punctures in Germany
Of the approximately 40,000 breakdowns handled by ADAC Truckservice in 2018, around two thirds were caused by tyre punctures, making it the main cause for truck and trailer breakdowns by far. The reasons for punctured tyres vary.
Different tyre quality
Not every manufacturer adheres to same standards. Cheaper tyres from Chinese manufacturers in particular have gained a poorer reputation among truck drivers in recent years. However, production faults can also affect premium brands from Europe.
Negligence
Since 2014, the EU has stipulated that all new vehicles must be fitted with a TPMS system. Nevertheless, it is often neglected to check the tyre pressure or to adjust it soon enough so as not to lose any time for the often urgent deliveries. With trailers in particular, there is also a risk of filling the load space unevenly and thus causing unequal wear on the tyres on each side.
Friction and heat
Many manufacturers advertise with state-of-the-art technology that makes their tyres resistant to heat. In practice, the situation is often different. Heat softens the tyre rubber and provides a further stress factor that can lead to punctures, especially when combined with inappropriate air pressure or minor asphalt damage.