A Flat Tyre on a French Road
Deal with a puncture: stay safe, change the wheel or call for help, and get a new tyre at the garage.
In France every car must carry a high-visibility vest (le gilet jaune) within reach and a warning triangle. On the autoroute you shouldn't change a wheel yourself: get behind the barrier and call from an orange emergency phone or 112, and an approved breakdown truck comes at a regulated price. On other roads your car insurance's assistance number sends a dépanneuse, and chains like Norauto or Feu Vert, or any local garage, replace tyres.
- 1
J'ai crevé.
I've got a flat tyre.
- 2
Je me suis arrêté sur le bas-côté.
I've pulled over onto the verge.
- 3
Mets le gilet jaune.
Put on the high-vis vest.
- 4
Installe le triangle.
Put out the warning triangle.
- 5
Il y a une roue de secours dans le coffre ?
Is there a spare wheel in the boot?
- 6
C'est une galette.
It's one of those thin temporary ones.
Tip: A food word for a flat round thing.
- 7
Il est où, le cric ?
Where's the jack?
- 8
Desserre d'abord les écrous.
Loosen the nuts first.
- 9
Tu peux me donner un coup de main ?
Can you give me a hand?
- 10
C'est trop serré, j'y arrive pas.
It's too tight, I can't do it.
- 11
Appelle l'assurance, ils vont envoyer une dépanneuse.
Call the insurance, they'll send a tow truck.
- 12
Ils mettent combien de temps ?
How long will they take?
- 13
Environ quarante minutes.
About forty minutes.
- 14
Dépasse pas les 80 avec cette roue.
Don't go over 80 with that wheel.
- 15
Demain, emmène-la au garage.
Take it to the garage tomorrow.
- 16
Vous pouvez réparer la crevaison ?
Can you repair the puncture?
- 17
C'est pas réparable, il faut changer le pneu.
It can't be repaired, the tyre needs changing.
- 18
Combien coûte un pneu neuf ?
How much is a new tyre?
- 19
Ce sera prêt dans une heure.
It'll be ready in an hour.
- 20
Merci, tu m'as sauvé la vie !
Thanks, you saved my life!