A Flat Tyre in Spain
Simple Spanish for a puncture on the road, calling roadside assistance and getting the tyre sorted at the garage.
In Spain you stop on the arcén (hard shoulder), put on a reflective vest and, since 2026, switch on a V16 warning light instead of setting out triangles. Most car insurance includes roadside assistance (asistencia en carretera) that sends a grúa or a mechanic. These cards follow a puncture near Granada, the call to the insurer and a visit to the taller the next day.
- 1
He pinchado una rueda.
I've got a flat tyre.
- 2
He parado en el arcén.
I've pulled over onto the hard shoulder.
- 3
Ponte el chaleco reflectante.
Put the reflective vest on.
- 4
Enciende la baliza V16.
Switch on the V16 light.
- 5
¿Hay rueda de repuesto en el maletero?
Is there a spare wheel in the boot?
- 6
Es de esas ruedas de galleta.
It's one of those skinny space-saver ones.
- 7
¿Dónde está el gato?
Where's the jack?
- 8
Primero afloja los tornillos.
Loosen the nuts first.
- 9
Oye, ¿me echas una mano?
Hey, can you give me a hand?
- 10
Está muy duro, no puedo.
It's really stiff, I can't do it.
- 11
Llama al seguro, que te mandan una grúa.
Call the insurance, they'll send a tow truck.
- 12
¿Cuánto van a tardar?
How long will they be?
- 13
Unos cuarenta minutos.
About forty minutes.
- 14
Con esa rueda no pases de ochenta.
Don't go over eighty with that wheel.
- 15
Mañana llévalo al taller.
Take it to the garage tomorrow.
- 16
¿Me podéis arreglar el pinchazo?
Can you fix the puncture?
- 17
No tiene arreglo, hay que cambiar el neumático.
It can't be fixed, the tyre needs replacing.
- 18
¿Cuánto cuesta un neumático nuevo?
How much is a new tyre?
- 19
En una hora lo tienes listo.
You'll have it ready in an hour.
- 20
Gracias, me has salvado la vida.
Thanks, you've saved my life.