The E40 from Brussels through Ghent to Bruges and Ostend is the classic run to the Belgian coast — and on a busy summer weekend it's also where a lot of punctures happen. Here's how to handle one without ruining the day.
On the motorway itself
Ease off gently, steer to the hard shoulder, hazard lights on. Reflective jacket on before you get out, everyone behind the crash barrier, warning triangle 100 metres back. Call 112 or use the orange roadside phone — it locates you automatically. A mobile fitter can't attend a live hard shoulder, so we meet you at the next exit or service area once you're safe.
Why coast runs are hard on tyres
Summer heat raises tyre pressures and punishes a tyre that's already low, and the E40 collects debris when traffic is heavy. Closer to the coast, salt-laden air slowly corrodes valves until they weep. A slow puncture you've been topping up all week can turn into a real failure on a hot motorway.
Before you set off
- Check all four pressures cold, including the load setting if the car is full for a beach day.
- Look for nails, cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
- Don't overload the boot — an overloaded, underinflated tyre is the classic blowout.
- Know whether you have a spare or just a sealant kit.
If the tyre is beyond a repair
A tread puncture can often be plugged or patched. Heat-related blowouts and sidewall cuts can't be repaired safely, so the tyre is replaced — in pairs, to keep the axle even. We'll give you a clear quote before any work, and we don't tow: we sort it where you are so you can carry on to the coast.