can a car drive with a flat tire

[DiLyla]

No, you should not drive on a flat tire. It is dangerous and can cause significant damage to your vehicle. If you experience a flat tire while driving, the safest action is to slow down gradually, hold the steering wheel firmly, and pull over to a safe, flat location as soon as possible. Continuing to drive, even for a short distance, risks destroying the tire, damaging the wheel rim, and potentially harming your car's suspension, brakes, or alignment systems.

The primary risk is the complete loss of structural support. A properly inflated tire uses air pressure to maintain its shape and bear the vehicle's weight. When flat, the sidewalls collapse and the tire gets crushed between the rim and the road. This generates intense heat from friction, which can lead to the rubber disintegrating and the tire cords failing. At highway speeds, this could result in a sudden loss of control or a catastrophic tire rupture.

Some vehicles are equipped with run-flat tires. These are specially designed with reinforced sidewalls that can support the car's weight for a limited distance (typically 50 miles) and at a reduced speed (usually up to 50 mph) after a complete loss of air pressure. However, most standard tires do not have this capability. If you must move the car a very short distance to get completely off the road, do so at a crawling speed of only a few miles per hour.

Tire Type	Recommended Maximum Distance After Going Flat	Recommended Maximum Speed	Key Consideration
Standard Tire	Avoid driving; move only if absolutely necessary	< 5 mph	High risk of irreversible damage to tire and rim.
Run-Flat Tire	Approx. 50 miles	Up to 50 mph	Allows you to drive to a safer location or repair shop.
Space-Saver Spare	Approx. 50-70 miles	Typically 50 mph	Not a permanent solution; intended for temporary use only.
Full-Size Spare	No specific limit	Follow normal speed limits	Functions as a regular tire until the flat is repaired.

The best practice is always prevention. Regularly check your tire pressure, including the spare, and look for signs of wear or damage. Having a roadside assistance plan or knowing how to safely change a tire yourself are essential skills for any driver.

[ZaneDella]

Absolutely not. I learned this the hard way. I tried to "limp" my car to the next exit and ended up shredding the tire and bending the rim. The repair bill was over $400. It's not worth the risk. Just pull over safely and call for help. It’s a huge safety hazard for you and everyone else on the road. The vibration and pulling are your car telling you to stop immediately.

[DiJames]

Technically, you can move a car a few feet with a flat, like inching it into a parking spot. But driving any real distance is a bad idea. The flat tire has no support, so the weight of your car is crushing the wheel rim directly against the pavement. This will destroy the tire beyond repair and likely damage the expensive alloy wheel underneath. It's a quick way to turn a simple tire repair into a very costly replacement.