Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
Whether from a puncture, a gradual air leak or a blowout, a flat tire is a surefire way to ruin your day. And, of course, a flat tire always seems to happen when you’re in a time crunch or the weather is bad or you’re out of town.
Rather than waiting for roadside assistance or changing the tire, you may be tempted to keep driving. Don’t!!
Keep reading to find out if it’s safe to drive on a flat tire and what to do when you have a flat tire.
Can you drive on a flat tire?
No.
If your car is parked in a safe location, stay where you are. Do not drive on a flat tire. Change the tire there or call a tow truck for assistance.
If you are driving when your tire goes flat, continue driving until you find a safe, level place to pull over. Turn on your hazard lights and drive slowly and cautiously. Stick to smooth, flat ground and avoid turning.
How far can you drive on a flat tire?
Never drive more than a few hundred yards/half a mile on a flat tire. Only drive far enough to find a safe place to pull over.
What happens if you drive on a flat tire?
Tire Damage
Tires are not designed to handle the weight of your vehicle without air in them. Driving on a flat tire damages the tire’s structure. If the tire is punctured, the materials may stretch and distort beyond repair.
Wheel Damage
Driving on a flat tire puts extra weight on the wheel rim. The rim may even be in direct contact with the road. The extra pressure could bend, warp or damage the wheels beyond use.
Vehicle Damage
You risk damaging vehicle components like the brakes, suspension, and body when you drive on a flat tire. The risk is particularly high if you drive for an extended distance or at high speeds.
Safety Hazards
A flat tire hinders your vehicle’s handling. Steering and braking are difficult and unpredictable with a flat tire, increasing the risk of an accident or loss of control.
Additionally, you should drive slowly if you have a flat tire. This is dangerous particularly on fast-moving interstates and curvy roads because other drivers may not anticipate your speed.
What to Do When You Have a Flat Tire
Slow down gently and maintain control.
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- Slow down gradually.
- Avoid aggressive braking, as your vehicle may not respond like you expect.
- Turn on your hazard lights (emergency flashers) to alert other drivers.
Find a safe location to pull over and stop.
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- Continue driving at a slow speed until you find a safe place to pull over.
- Ideally, find a place away from traffic and on level ground (the side of the road or a parking lot works well).
- Keep your hazard lights on.
- Apply the parking brake.
Assess the damage.
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- When it’s safe to do so, exit the vehicle to inspect the tire’s condition.
- Look for signs of tire damage, such as punctures or bulges.
Change the tire or call for assistance.
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- If you feel confident in your ability to change the tire, go ahead! Follow the instructions in your vehicle owner’s manual to install the spare tire.
- If you are unable to change the tire, do not have a spare tire, or lack the proper equipment, call for roadside assistance.
All Virginia Tire & Auto car care services come with complimentary Roadside Assistance coverage. Coverage begins the day after the date identified on your most recent Virginia Tire & Auto invoice and continues for 365 days.
If you need roadside assistance, call any local towing or roadside assistance company to receive service. Afterward, Virginia Tire & Auto will reimburse you up to $100 for any Covered Services. Coverage is limited to two claims per 365-day period (up to $200 annually).
How can I tell if my tire is flat?
Visually, you can tell when a tire is flat because the sidewall underneath the rim collapses, leaving the tire flat like a pancake on the ground. You may also hear a leaking/hissing sound as air escapes the tire.
If you are driving, these are five tell-tale signs that your tire is flat:
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- A dragging/pulling feeling on the affected side
- A loud pop, a leaking sound, or a rhythmic thumping/flapping
- Sluggish handling when changing lanes or turning
- Vibration/shaking from the wheels
- TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) alert on your dashboard
How far can you drive on a spare tire?
Spare tires are not meant for permanent use. They are a temporary solution until you get to the tire shop. Generally, you should drive on a spare tire less than 50 miles at less than 55 miles per hour.
How far can you drive on a run-flat tire?
Run-flat tires are made with heat-resistant rubber and a reinforced sidewall that supports your vehicle’s weight if the tire loses air pressure. Another type of run-flat tire is self-sealing; an extra lining with puncture sealant solution releases automatically when a puncture occurs, preventing air leakage.
If your vehicle has run-flat tires, familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines. After a puncture, run-flat tires are generally safe to drive on for up to 50 miles at 50 mph.
Can I drive on a tire with low air pressure?
If your tire is low but not flat, you should be able to drive until you get to the nearest air pump or tire shop. Drive slowly and cautiously, as the low tire pressure may affect your vehicle’s handling.
Stay aware of your vehicle and the affected tire. If you notice worse handling, new noises or increased vibration, stop and inspect the tire to see if it has lost too much air and is now unsafe to drive on.
Can my flat tire be repaired?
Maybe. It depends on the location and size of the puncture.
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) defines the acceptable puncture repair area as the “crown” of the tire, approximately 1–1.5 inches in from each tire shoulder. Punctures in the shoulder or sidewall can compromise the tire’s structural integrity and should not be repaired. Patch-plugging a tire from the inside out is the only safe way to repair a tire, and you should never patch a tire more than twice.
MyCar Club members get free lifetime tire repairs!
How to Prevent Flat Tires
Sometimes a flat tire is unavoidable. But regular tire maintenance will keep your tires at their best and help prevent flat tires!
Check tire pressure monthly.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends checking your tires’ air pressure—including the spare—at least once a month. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your car. All vehicles manufactured since 2007 are equipped with a TPMS system that alerts you to low air pressure. However, you should still manually check your tires to ensure they are at the correct pressure.
Inspect tires monthly.
Each month, walk around your vehicle and visually inspect your tires for damage, deflation and deterioration. You can use a quarter to check your tread depth; tires must have a minimum of 2/32” of tread. We recommend replacing your tires at 4/32” for better performance and safety.
Rotate tires every 5,000-7,000 miles.
Regular tire rotations help your tires wear evenly so that they last longer. Tire rotations also improve fuel efficiency, vehicle performance and safety. Save a trip to the shop and get your tires rotated when you get an oil change.
Don’t overload your tires.
Tires have their maximum load rating printed on the sidewall. Pushing tires beyond the manufacturer-recommended limit strains the tire and could lead to a blowout.
Watch for road hazards.
Avoiding every road hazard like potholes, nails, glass and road debris is impossible. But you can always be a defensive driver and scan the road ahead for problems. And if a particular stretch of road is in poor condition or near a construction zone, consider taking an alternate route.
Read: Tire Maintenance 101: Taking Care of Your Tires
Virginia Tire & Auto: All Your Car Needs
At Virginia Tire & Auto, we’re here to help, no matter what your car needs. From new tires to tire maintenance to tire repair, our staff is trained in the latest tools and techniques to help keep you safe on the roads.
All our services come with a year of complimentary Roadside Assistance coverage. And every tire purchase comes with tires&, our easy installation and worry-free driving bundle that includes lifetime tire rotations, wheel balances and pressure checks. Plus, tire repairs and tire rotations are always free for MyCar Club members!
Drop by one of our convenient locations or schedule your visit online!