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uk Transport & mobility emergencies tyre losing air slowly • slow puncture • slow leak tyre • tyre keeps going down • unknown puncture • tyre pressure dropping • tpms warning light • low tyre pressure • nail in tyre • valve leak • wheel rim leak • no spare tyre • don’t know who to call • roadside tyre problem • motorway tyre issue • car tyre problem at home • car tyre problem at work • can i drive on it • find a tyre garage

What to do if…
you find a tyre is losing air slowly and you don’t know where to get help

Short answer

Treat it as a safety issue: get somewhere safe, top up to the correct pressure only to reach help, and stop if you can’t keep the tyre reliably inflated.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep driving at normal speeds if the car feels unstable, pulls to one side, or the tyre looks visibly low.
  • Don’t “just guess” a pressure from the tyre sidewall—use the vehicle’s recommended pressure (door/fuel flap/handbook).
  • Don’t use a puncture-sealant kit as a permanent fix, and don’t forget to tell the tyre place if you used sealant.
  • Don’t inspect or work on the traffic-side of the car at the roadside.
  • Don’t keep repeatedly reinflating and carrying on with long trips—slow leaks can suddenly worsen.

What to do now

  1. Create a safe pause first (especially on fast roads).
    If you’re driving, ease off speed smoothly and pull into the nearest safe place (petrol station, car park, rest area).
    • If you break down in a live lane on a motorway: keep your seatbelt on, switch hazards on, stay in the vehicle, and call 999.
    • If you’re safely in an emergency area/hard shoulder (where present) or off the carriageway: if it’s safe, exit on the left (away from traffic) and wait well away from the vehicle, ideally behind a barrier.
  2. Check how urgent it is (30–60 seconds).
    From a safe position, look for a visibly sagging tyre, sidewall bulge, shredding, or an obvious screw/nail. If any of these are present, don’t drive—go to step 5.
  3. Top up only enough to reach help.
    Use a petrol station air pump or your inflator. Inflate to the vehicle placard pressure (often driver’s door frame, fuel flap, or handbook). Recheck after a few minutes—if it drops quickly, stop and don’t continue.
  4. Plan for a short, cautious trip to service (not “normal driving”).
    Choose the closest suitable place you can reach safely (tyre shop/garage) and avoid high speeds. If the warning returns quickly or handling changes, stop again and move to step 5.
  5. Get connected to help using the right system for where you are.
    • Motorways and major A-roads in England: once safe, you can call National Highways (0300 123 5000) for advice and assistance, then your breakdown provider if needed.
    • Anywhere in the UK: if you have breakdown cover (AA/RAC/Green Flag/insurance), call and say it’s a slow puncture/slow leak and whether you have a spare. If you don’t have cover, book a mobile tyre fitter or recovery/tow to a tyre shop if the car isn’t safe to drive.
  6. When you reach a tyre place, give them the key facts fast.
    Say: “Slow leak, how long it takes to drop, whether you topped up today, and whether you used sealant.” Ask them to check tread area vs sidewall damage and the valve/rim seal.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide right now whether the tyre must be replaced—first get it inspected safely.
  • You don’t need to diagnose the exact cause (nail vs valve vs rim); just get to a proper check.
  • You don’t need to buy multiple tyres today unless the shop clearly shows unsafe wear/damage.

Important reassurance

Slow leaks are common and often fixable. The safest approach is to treat the tyre as unreliable until a professional has checked it.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance for staying safe and getting connected to help. Tyre repairability and costs depend on where the damage is and the tyre’s condition.

Important note

This is general information, not mechanical or legal advice. If the vehicle feels unsafe to drive or you’re in a dangerous location, prioritise safety and professional roadside help.

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