This article was first published on broom.no.
Punctures are never pleasant. Very few cars are now equipped with spare wheels. Thus, the solution for many is to call for roadside assistance.
Many have included exactly that in their car insurance. But what can then come from costs, you have to cover yourself. And it can quickly add up to a lot of money, warns Arne Voll, communications manager at Gjensidige.
Replace all four tires
– You would think that with today’s cars and new technology, punctures would also become easier over the years. But it hasn’t turned out that way. Rather the opposite, says Voll.
Arne Voll is communications manager at Gjensidige
He adds:
– In addition to getting hold of a new tyre, more and expensive challenges arise today. On older cars it was sometimes necessary to buy a new tyre. Today, it is often necessary to change both front or rear, so that both tires are of the same type and have even wear on both sides. The big surprise comes if you have a car with four-wheel drive. All four tires often have to be replaced in the event of a puncture, if the tire cannot be repaired. In addition, many of the new cars are delivered with large rims and wide tyres. Then it gets really expensive.
The article continues below the adThe article continues below the ad
When this happens, many people have a big problem
Repair kits like this have replaced the spare wheel in many cars. Don’t know how to use it? Then you are not alone.
Half the cost
However, Voll has good news for many who have an electric car:
– These usually have a driveline with a motor at the front and a motor on the rear axle. This means that it is often necessary to change two tyres, front or rear. It will be expensive anyway, but in any case you get away with half the cost, he says.
The article continues below the adThe article continues below the ad
If the tire that has been damaged is of a recent date or very little worn, in some cases it may be enough to change one tyre.
Voll points out that it is important to read the instruction book and contact the dealer or those who sell the tires, to inquire about what is right to do on your car model.
Found the car like this: Now all the tires have to be changed
If you puncture a car with four-wheel drive, you risk having to change all four tyres. On electric cars, it can take two.
Prices skyrocketed
Like many other things, the price of tires has also skyrocketed and it is not unusual for a complete set of tires for a perfectly normal family car to cost around NOK 20,000.
Voll adds that there are schemes that allow you to get new tires after a puncture, it is a choice linked to the car insurance.
Earl’s jaw dropped when he discovered this patching
