Getting onto a motorway from a slip road

I have passed my driving three months ago and I'm now planning to go on a short trip using the motorway. I know slip roads are there to gain appropriate speed before joining a motorway's left hand lane....

I've been told you should never brake if you have a tyre blow on the motorway - is this right?

I read that if your tyre blows out when driving on a motorway you should never brake but go to a lower gear and try to steer the car to the hard shoulder. Is this sound advice?

Is there a known problem with pre-sense systems?

I have an Audi Q5. In November I had a dash warning that there was an issue with the pre-sense system that needed technical attention. I took the car in but no fault was recorded in the memory. Apparently...