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What Happens? How Long Can You Ride On A Flat Tire
Can you drive on a flat tire slowly? How far can you go on a flat tire? The short answer is: you should not drive on a flat tire if you can help it, and you can only go a very, very short distance – maybe a block or less – before you cause serious damage. Driving on a flat tire quickly wrecks the tire and can harm the metal wheel and other important parts of your car. It is not safe to drive on a flat tire at all, unless it is an emergency to move just a few feet to a safe spot.
Grasping What Happens When a Tire Loses Air
Think of your car’s tire like a strong, air-filled balloon that holds up your car’s weight. Air inside the tire is what makes it round and firm. This firmness helps the tire roll smoothly and safely.
When a tire goes flat, the air is gone. The tire cannot hold its shape anymore. It gets squished between the heavy car and the hard road.
Picture this: The side parts of the tire, called sidewalls, are not made to carry the car’s weight. When the tire is flat, the car pushes down directly onto these sidewalls.
Why Driving on a Flat Tire is a Bad Idea
Driving, even slowly, on a tire with no air is harmful. Here is why:
- No Air Cushion: The tire cannot cushion the ride. The metal wheel hits the road more or rubs inside the squished tire.
- Lots of Rubbing: The flat tire folds in on itself. As the wheel turns, the parts of the tire rub hard against each other and the road.
- Building Up Heat: This hard rubbing creates a lot of heat. Too much heat makes rubber break down fast.
- Tire Comes Apart: The tire sidewalls tear. Rubber bits fly off. The tire cannot work at all anymore.
This process happens very quickly, much faster than you might think.
The Damage Caused by Driving on a Flat
Driving on a flat tire hurts more than just the tire itself. It can cause big problems and cost you a lot of money to fix. This is the main consequence of driving on a flat tire.
Wrecking the Tire
Once a standard tire has been driven on while flat, it is almost always ruined.
- The inside structure breaks.
- The sidewalls tear and shred.
- The rubber separates from the belts inside the tire.
The tire cannot be fixed. You will need a new tire. Often, you might need to buy two new tires to keep the tread depth the same on both sides of an axle.
Harming the Wheel (The Rim)
The tire is supposed to protect the metal wheel, called the rim. When the tire is flat, the rim can hit the road.
- The rim can get bent out of shape.
- It can get deep scratches.
- Parts of the rim can break off.
- The rim might not be round anymore.
Driving on a flat tire for even a short distance can mean you need a new rim. Metal rims can be expensive to replace. This is specific damage to wheel driving on flat.
Hurting Other Car Parts
The rough, bumpy ride from a flat tire sends shocks through your car. This can hurt other important pieces:
- Suspension Parts: These are the parts that connect your wheels to the car body. They help you have a smooth ride. Driving on a flat puts bad stress on shocks, struts, and other suspension pieces. They can bend or break.
- Brake Parts: The flat tire and damaged rim can hit brake lines or other parts near the wheel. This can make your brakes not work right.
- Steering Parts: The struggle to control the car with a flat tire can stress parts of the steering system.
These extra repairs add up fast. Damage caused by driving on a flat goes beyond just the tire.
The Risks of Riding On a Flat Tire
Driving on a flat tire is not just bad for your car’s wallet; it is dangerous for you, your passengers, and others on the road. These are serious risks of riding on a flat.
Losing Control of the Car
A flat tire makes your car pull hard to one side. It is much harder to steer straight.
- You might not be able to turn quickly if you need to avoid something.
- The car might suddenly swerve.
Losing steering control, even for a second, can cause a crash.
Causing More Accidents
Because your car is hard to control and might be much slower, you could be hit by other cars. Pieces of the tire flying off can also be a danger to others.
Getting Stranded in a Bad Place
If you drive too long on a flat, the tire will completely come apart. Then you are driving on the bare metal rim or nothing at all. Your car will likely stop moving altogether. You could end up stuck far from help, in a dangerous spot like a busy highway shoulder.
Making Repairs Way More Expensive
What might have been a simple tire patch or replacement turns into needing a new tire, a new rim, and maybe fixing suspension or brake parts. The consequences of driving on a flat tire can be a very high repair bill.
How Far Can You Really Go on a Flat Tire? (Not Far!)
People often ask, “How far can you go on a flat tire?” or “What is the distance you can drive on a flat tire?” The truth is, there is no set number of miles or even blocks. It is very small.
On a standard tire that is totally flat, you might be able to roll a very short distance, like across a parking lot to a safe spot, or just onto the shoulder of the road. Driving further than that is asking for the damage talked about earlier.
Think of it this way: Every foot you drive on a flat tire is causing harm. The speed you go makes a big difference too.
Things That Change How Fast Damage Happens
Several things affect how quickly a flat tire and your car get damaged:
- Your Speed: The faster you go, the more the tire flexes and rubs. This builds heat faster. High speed on a flat tire causes huge damage right away.
- Road Surface: Driving on a rough road, potholes, or the edge of the pavement hurts the tire and rim faster than driving on smooth pavement.
- Car Weight: A heavier car puts more pressure on the flat tire. This causes more squishing, rubbing, and heat.
- How Flat It Is: A tire with a slow leak might last a tiny bit longer before total failure than one that blows out completely. But even a slow leak needs fixing fast.
- Tire Size/Type: Bigger tires might handle the stress a bit longer, but they will still fail quickly when flat. Low-profile tires (short sidewalls) offer almost no protection when flat.
Because of these factors, nobody can tell you exactly how many feet you can drive. The safest answer is: as few as possible.
Interpreting Driving on a Flat Tire for a Short Distance
Okay, so we know driving on a flat is bad. But what about “Driving on a flat tire for short distance”? Can you drive on a flat tire slowly just a little bit?
Yes, in a true emergency, you might need to move your car a very short way.
- Maybe you get a flat in the middle of a busy road lane.
- Maybe your tire goes flat just as you pass an exit on a highway.
In these cases, it is usually better to move the car a few feet to a safer place than to stay where you are and risk a major accident.
How to Move a Car a Very Short Distance on a Flat
If you must move your car a few feet:
- Go Very, Very Slowly: Crawl along at walking speed (maybe 5 mph or less).
- Go Straight if Possible: Turning puts more stress on the flat tire.
- Go Only as Far as Needed: Just get out of the traffic lane or onto the shoulder. Do not try to get to the next exit or down the street to a garage.
- Accept That Damage Will Happen: Know that even this very short move will likely ruin the tire and could still nick the rim. But this damage is less risky than staying in a dangerous spot.
This is the only time driving on a flat, slow and short, might be considered. It is not a fix; it is just a way to increase safety right now.
Driving On Rim After Flat: The Worst Case
What happens if you keep driving after the flat tire has completely shredded or come off the wheel? This is “Driving on rim after flat.”
- The bare metal wheel rim hits the road directly.
- Sparks can fly.
- There is no cushion or protection left.
- The metal rim grinds against the pavement.
Damage When Driving on the Rim
Driving on the rim causes instant, extreme damage:
- The rim is destroyed. It will be bent, broken, and ground down.
- The heat and grinding can damage the wheel hub and bearings.
- It can rip up the road surface itself.
- It makes the car impossible to control.
- This is incredibly dangerous and can lead to a loss of control and a crash very quickly.
Never, ever drive on a bare rim if you can avoid it. Stop the car as soon as the tire fails.
Grasping Run-Flat Tires: A Different Story (But Still Careful)
Some cars come with special tires called “run-flat tires.” These tires are built differently. They have much stronger, reinforced sidewalls.
How Run-Flats Work
If a run-flat tire loses air, the strong sidewalls can temporarily hold up the car’s weight. The tire still looks low or flat, but it does not collapse completely like a standard tire.
How Far Can You Drive on a Run-Flat?
Run-flat tires let you drive a limited distance at a limited speed after they lose air.
- Most run-flats let you drive about 50 miles.
- You usually cannot go faster than 50 mph.
Check your car’s owner manual or the tire’s sidewall for the exact limits for your specific run-flat tires.
Still Need to Fix It Fast
Even with run-flats, you must get the tire fixed or replaced quickly.
- Driving on a run-flat tire, even within the limits, shortens its life.
- The ride is not comfortable.
- The tire’s performance (like grip and handling) is reduced.
- Not all tire shops can fix run-flat tires, and many cannot be patched.
So, while run-flats give you a chance to get to a safe place like a service station, they are not a magic fix. You still need to stop driving on it as soon as you can safely get help.
What to Do Right Away If You Get a Flat
Getting a flat tire can be scary. But knowing what to do helps keep you safe and lowers the chance of damaging your car more.
1. Stay Calm
Do not panic. Hold the steering wheel firmly.
2. Slow Down Gently
Do not slam on your brakes. Let the car slow down gradually. Use your brakes lightly.
3. Find a Safe Spot to Stop
Look for a safe place off the road.
- An exit ramp is better than the highway shoulder.
- A parking lot is best.
- If on a highway, try to get as far off the road as possible onto the shoulder. Going a very short distance slowly (as discussed earlier) is okay if it moves you out of traffic danger.
4. Turn On Your Hazard Lights
Make sure other drivers see you.
5. Pull Over Completely
Make sure your car is fully off the road and on stable ground. Avoid stopping on soft dirt or grass if possible.
6. Check the Tire (Safely)
Look at the tire to see how bad the flat is. Is it totally flat? Did it blow out? Only do this if it is safe and you are completely out of traffic.
Your Options When You Have a Flat Tire
Once you are safely stopped, you need a plan.
Use Your Spare Tire
If your car has a spare tire and the tools to change it, this is a common choice.
- Check your spare: Is it a full-size spare, or a smaller temporary spare (often called a “donut”)?
- Understand limits: Temporary spares have strict limits on speed (usually 50 mph) and distance (often 50-70 miles). They are only meant to get you to a tire shop.
- Safety first: Changing a tire on the side of a road, especially a busy one, is very dangerous. If you do not feel safe or know how, use another option.
Use a Tire Repair Kit (Like Fix-a-Flat)
These cans contain a sealant and air. They can sometimes fix small punctures.
- Only for small holes: They do not work for big cuts, blowouts, or damage to the sidewall.
- Temporary fix: This is just to get you to a repair shop. It is not a permanent fix.
- Might mess up sensors: The sealant can sometimes damage the tire pressure sensor inside the wheel.
- Tire shop needed: A tire shop will still need to patch the tire properly or replace it.
Call for Help (Roadside Assistance or Tow Truck)
This is often the safest and easiest choice.
- If you have roadside assistance through a service (like AAA), your car warranty, or your insurance, call them.
- They can change the tire for you, or tow your car to a garage.
- If you do not have roadside assistance, call a local tow truck company.
Calling for help prevents you from risking your safety changing a tire yourself and ensures your car gets to a place where the tire can be properly handled.
Preventing Flats: Keeping Your Tires Happy
The best flat tire is the one you never get. Taking care of your tires helps lower the chances of a flat.
Check Tire Pressure Often
- Use an air pressure gauge.
- Check at least once a month and before long trips.
- Find the right pressure number on a sticker in your driver’s side door frame or in your car’s manual.
- Tires lose air naturally, and pressure changes with the weather. Keeping them properly filled helps prevent flats and makes tires last longer.
Look at Your Tires
- Walk around your car and look closely at your tires often.
- Look for cuts, bulges (bumps), or cracks in the sidewall.
- Look for objects stuck in the tire tread (like nails or screws). It is better to find a nail before the tire goes flat.
Avoid Road Hazards
- Try to steer clear of potholes, broken glass, metal pieces, and other junk in the road.
- Be careful driving over curbs.
Do Not Carry Too Much Weight
Check your car’s manual for the maximum weight it can safely carry. Overloading your car puts too much stress on the tires, making them more likely to fail.
In Simple Terms: Stop Safely, Get Help Fast
To sum it up:
- Driving on a flat tire is bad. It ruins the tire and can seriously damage your car.
- You can only drive a tiny distance on a flat – maybe just a few feet to a safer spot.
- Driving faster than a crawl makes the damage happen instantly.
- Run-flat tires give you a little more time and distance, but they still need fixing fast.
- If you get a flat, pull over safely right away.
- The safest option is often to call for roadside assistance or a tow truck.
Dealing with a flat tire quickly and safely saves you money on repairs and helps prevent accidents.
Questions People Ask
Can I drive on a flat tire to the mechanic that is just a few miles away?
No, you should not. Driving even a mile or two on a flat tire will almost certainly destroy the tire and likely damage the metal rim and other parts of your car. Call for a tow truck instead. The cost of a tow is much less than the cost of new tires, rims, and suspension repairs.
What if it is just a slow leak and the tire is not totally flat yet?
You still need to fix a slow leak right away. The tire will lose more air as you drive. It will eventually become flat, and then you will have all the same problems as driving on a sudden flat. Get it checked and fixed or replaced as soon as possible.
How do I know if my tire is going flat or is already flat?
You might notice the car pulling strongly to one side. The ride will feel bumpy or rough. You might hear flapping noises from the tire. Or the steering wheel might feel heavy. If you think you have a flat, slow down and try to pull over safely to check. Many newer cars also have a dashboard light that comes on if a tire pressure is low.
Are all spare tires the same?
No. Some cars have a full-size spare wheel and tire, just like the ones already on your car. Many cars today come with smaller, lighter temporary spare tires, often called “donut” spares. These are only meant for short distances (like 50-70 miles) and low speeds (like 50 mph). Always check the sticker on the spare tire for its limits.
My car has TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System). Will that warn me about a flat?
Yes. The TPMS light on your dashboard should turn on when one or more of your tires have pressure that is too low. This system can alert you to a flat or a slow leak early, hopefully before the tire is completely flat and damaged. However, it does not replace manually checking your tire pressure.