Getting a flat tyre is never convenient, but it can be particularly stressful when you are driving a rental car in another country. You might notice a tyre-pressure warning light, hear an unusual noise, feel the steering pulling to one side or suddenly realise that a tyre has lost most or all of its air.
If this happens while driving a Blanca Cars rental vehicle in Spain, the most important thing is not to panic and not to continue driving unnecessarily Your first priority is getting yourself, your passengers and the vehicle into the safest possible position.
Once you are safe, contact Blanca Cars for instructions rather than automatically trying to change or repair the tyre yourself. Blanca Cars advises customers whose rental car has broken down or has a flat tyre to use the emergency telephone number provided with the vehicle.
Check our FAQ section for other topics
How Do You Know If You Have a Flat Tyre?
Not every puncture causes a tyre to become completely flat immediately.
A slow puncture may cause air pressure to decrease gradually over several hours or days.
Possible signs include:
- A tyre-pressure warning light on the dashboard
- The vehicle pulling towards one side
- Unusual vibration through the steering wheel
- A repetitive thumping noise
- Steering suddenly feeling different
- One corner of the vehicle appearing lower
- A visible nail, screw or object in the tyre
- A tyre that looks noticeably softer than the others
If a tyre-pressure warning appears, do not simply ignore it.
Find a safe location to stop and check the tyres visually.
If a tyre is clearly flat or badly damaged, do not continue driving normally.
What Should You Do If a Tyre Goes Flat While Driving?
If you experience a sudden puncture or blowout, keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel.
Avoid sudden steering movements.
Do not slam on the brakes.
Reduce your speed carefully and look for the safest available place to stop away from moving traffic.
Activate your hazard warning lights to make other road users aware that you have a problem.
If you are travelling on a motorway or autovía, try to move the vehicle as far away from the active traffic lanes as safely possible.
Once the car is safely positioned, assess the situation before doing anything else.
Do Not Continue Driving on a Flat Tyre
Driving on a completely flat tyre can quickly turn a relatively simple puncture into much more serious damage.
The tyre itself can be destroyed.
The wheel can also become damaged, and continuing to drive may affect the vehicle’s handling and safety.
A few extra kilometres simply to reach your hotel, villa or petrol station could therefore cause unnecessary damage.
If the tyre is visibly flat, stop somewhere safe and contact Blanca Cars.
Contact Blanca Cars
If your Blanca Cars rental vehicle has a flat tyre, contact us using the emergency number provided with the vehicle.
Blanca Cars’ current FAQ specifically tells customers experiencing a breakdown or flat tyre that an emergency telephone number is provided in the glove compartment and that a member of the Blanca Cars team will assist them.
Explain:
- Your name
- Your rental vehicle
- Where you are
- Which tyre is affected, if known
- Whether the car is completely immobilised
- Whether you are on a motorway or other high-speed road
- Whether anyone is in immediate danger
- Whether a warning light appeared before the problem
If possible, use your phone’s map application to identify your exact location.
Road numbers and kilometre markers can also be extremely helpful when describing where you are.
Should You Change the Tyre Yourself?
Do not automatically start changing a tyre simply because you find a spare wheel or tyre-repair equipment in the car.
Contact Blanca Cars first and follow the instructions you are given.
Modern cars do not always have a conventional spare wheel. Some vehicles use tyre-repair kits, temporary spare wheels or other systems.
More importantly, changing a tyre beside a busy Spanish road can expose you to moving traffic.
A puncture is inconvenient.
Your personal safety is much more important.
Using the V-16 Emergency Beacon in Spain
Spain has changed the way broken-down vehicles are signalled to other drivers.
From 1 January 2026, the connected V-16 warning beacon is the legal warning device for immobilised Spanish vehicles, replacing traditional warning triangles.
The V-16 is designed specifically to reduce the danger associated with drivers walking along the road to place warning triangles.
The DGT recommends keeping the beacon somewhere easily accessible, such as the glove compartment. When required, it can be activated and placed preferably on the roof of the vehicle.
Once activated, an approved connected V-16 transmits the location of the immobilised vehicle to the DGT 3.0 system while also displaying a highly visible flashing warning light. No mobile application or personal registration is required for the beacon to transmit its safety information.
If your rental car becomes immobilised because of a puncture, follow the instructions provided with the vehicle and by Blanca Cars.
Should You Get Out of the Car?
This depends on where the vehicle has stopped.
Spain’s DGT guidance states that when an immobilised vehicle cannot continue, occupants should generally leave the vehicle if there is a safe place outside the roadway and they can reach it safely.
They should exit on the side away from traffic and should not remain standing in traffic lanes or on the carriageway.
However, if traffic conditions make getting out more dangerous, occupants should remain inside the vehicle with their seatbelts fastened.
There is no single answer that is correct for every breakdown.
A quiet roadside lay-by is very different from the hard shoulder of a busy motorway.
Use common sense, assess your surroundings and put personal safety before the vehicle.
Flat Tyre on the AP-7 or A-7
The AP-7 and A-7 are major routes used by people travelling along the Costa Blanca.
If you suffer a puncture on one of these roads, do not attempt to drive a long distance on the damaged tyre simply to reach the next exit.
Move away from active traffic as safely as possible.
Turn on your hazard lights.
Use the V-16 warning beacon when required.
Then contact Blanca Cars and provide your location.
Do not stand beside the vehicle close to high-speed traffic and do not attempt a roadside tyre change if doing so places you or your passengers in danger.
What About a Tyre-Pressure Warning Light?
A tyre-pressure monitoring system, often known as TPMS, can warn you before a tyre becomes completely flat.
If the warning appears, reduce your speed and find a safe location to stop.
Inspect all four tyres.
A tyre can sometimes lose pressure without looking completely flat, so a visual inspection cannot always confirm that everything is normal.
Contact Blanca Cars if you suspect a puncture or are unsure whether it is safe to continue.
Do not repeatedly reset a tyre-pressure warning simply to make the dashboard light disappear without checking why it appeared.
Are Flat Tyres Covered by Rental-Car Insurance?
This is an important area where customers should understand the Blanca Cars rental terms.
Blanca Cars includes roadside assistance with its rental agreements, but the current terms specifically state that damage to tyres and wheels is not covered by the standard insurance, and wheel blowouts considered to result from negligent vehicle use are also excluded from insurance cover.
The Blanca Cars FAQ also states that a replacement vehicle is not automatically included in situations such as a tyre puncture.
This is another reason why customers should contact Blanca Cars immediately and follow the instructions provided rather than arranging their own repair or making assumptions about what is covered.
Can You Repair a Puncture Yourself?
Do not use an independently purchased tyre sealant, repair plug or other product on a Blanca Cars vehicle without first receiving instructions.
Likewise, do not take the vehicle to an independent garage and authorise a replacement tyre without speaking to Blanca Cars.
Rental vehicles remain the property of the rental company, so repairs should be coordinated with us.
Contacting Blanca Cars first also allows us to determine the appropriate solution based on the vehicle, tyre and location.
How Can You Reduce the Risk of a Puncture?
Not every puncture can be prevented.
A nail, screw, sharp object or road debris can damage a perfectly good tyre.
However, there are several sensible precautions.
Avoid driving onto rough road shoulders unless necessary.
Take extra care around potholes and damaged road surfaces.
Avoid hitting kerbs when parking.
Do not overload the vehicle.
Pay attention to tyre-pressure warnings.
Before a long journey, visually inspect the tyres for obvious damage.
Spain’s DGT recommends checking tyre pressure, tread and general tyre condition as part of normal vehicle safety preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do First If I Get a Flat Tyre in Spain?
Reduce your speed carefully, move the vehicle to the safest available location and switch on the hazard warning lights.
If the car is immobilised, use the V-16 warning beacon as appropriate and contact Blanca Cars.
Should I Drive to the Nearest Petrol Station on a Flat Tyre?
Not if the tyre is clearly flat.
Continuing to drive can damage both the tyre and wheel and may affect the vehicle’s handling.
Stop somewhere safe and contact Blanca Cars.
Should I Change the Wheel Myself?
Contact Blanca Cars before attempting to repair or change a tyre.
Do not put yourself in danger by attempting a wheel change beside fast-moving traffic.
What Is the V-16 Beacon?
The V-16 is Spain’s emergency warning beacon for immobilised vehicles.
Since 1 January 2026, the connected V-16 has replaced warning triangles as the legal warning system for Spanish-registered vehicles.
Does Blanca Cars Provide Help With a Flat Tyre?
Yes. Blanca Cars instructs customers experiencing a breakdown or flat tyre to contact the emergency number provided in the vehicle so the team can advise them on what happens next.
Is Tyre Damage Covered by Blanca Cars Insurance?
Blanca Cars’ current terms state that tyre and wheel damage is excluded from the standard insurance cover. The circumstances of each incident matter, so contact Blanca Cars for instructions.
Remember: Safety Comes First
If you get a flat tyre in a rental car in Spain, remember these simple steps:
SLOW DOWN SAFELY.
GET AWAY FROM MOVING TRAFFIC WHERE POSSIBLE.
TURN ON YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS.
USE THE V-16 BEACON WHEN REQUIRED.
DO NOT CONTINUE DRIVING ON A FLAT TYRE.
CONTACT BLANCA CARS BEFORE ATTEMPTING REPAIRS.
A flat tyre does not need to ruin your Costa Blanca holiday.
Getting the vehicle somewhere safe, correctly warning other road users and contacting Blanca Cars allows us to help you determine the appropriate next step.
If you are driving a Blanca Cars rental vehicle and experience a flat tyre or breakdown, use the emergency contact information supplied with your car and contact us for assistance.