How Far Can You Drive On A Flat Tire - Tireer

1. What Constitutes a Flat Tire?

A flat tire, also known among drivers as a deflated or punctured tire, happens when the tire has a significant loss of air pressure. As a result, the casing of the tire won't be capable of supporting the vehicle's weight, and the part that touches the ground will look flat rather than round.

The decrease in pressure can be gradual, due to a small puncture or leak, or sudden, caused by a large tear or blowout. Either way, flat tires not only make it difficult to drive but can also pose safety risks if not addressed promptly. Not to mention, the tire's constituting parts can be damaged since they would be most of the load will fall on them.

2. Common Causes of Flat Tires

The most common cause of flat tires is punctures. Although modern tires have belts and plies that provide some puncture resistance, sharp objects like nails, screws, or glass shards can still puncture the tire's tread. This usually happens if you drive near construction sites or uncleaned roads.

However, the tire's tread can also be punctured when off-roading. Notably, sharp rocks can pierce through the casing, and they are quite common on dirt, gravel, and intermediate roads.

Still, pressure loss can be caused by other factors as well. For instance, wear and tear over time can introduce cracks on the surface of the tire, but also bulges and tread separation. This can also lead to flats, especially if the tires are not regularly rotated or properly inflated.

In some cases, damage to the wheel's rim can break the seal of the tire, which could result in pressure loss. Damaged valve stems also happen frequently and can also cause pressure loss.

Furthermore, severe impacts, like hitting a deep pothole or a substantial curb, can also damage the tire and cause pressure loss. In these cases, the pressure loss usually is quick and caused by a blowout, which is much more dangerous than a gradual pressure loss.

Finally, tires also lose pressure over time, though in a minuscule amount. In other words, you should leave your car stationary for more than a year before there is a significant pressure loss.

Risks of Driving on a Flat Tire

Driving on a flat tire is associated with many risks, both safety, and durability related. Here is what happens when you drive on a flat:

1. Damage to the Tire

Driving on a flat tire can irreparably damage the components of the tire. This happens because the tire has to carry the whole weight of the car and will be subjected to all forces from driving (acceleration, braking, cornering) without the help of pressurized air.

As a result, damage to the internal parts, like the belts, plies, and sidewall, is imminent. And since all these parts make the tire structurally sound, any damage to them could cause disintegration and a possible blowout when inflated again.

Furthermore, the friction generated between the deflated tire and the road surface can wear away the tire's rubber, leading to tears or rips that can't be patched or repaired. The high heat generated from the friction can also cause the rubber compound to age sooner and further damage the internal parts.

Finally, the rim itself will put a lot of pressure on certain parts of the tire, which only accelerates the tearing and disintegration.

2. Damage to the Wheel Rim