Can You Drive with a Flat Rear Tire?
3 Answers
You cannot drive with a flat rear tire. At high speeds, whether it's a front or rear tire blowout, the first thing to do is to release the accelerator and steady the steering wheel. Avoid jerking the wheel or slamming on the brakes, and do not engage the handbrake. Once the vehicle's direction is stabilized, you can lightly tap the brakes to further reduce speed and gradually pull over to the side. If traffic is heavy, turn on the hazard lights to alert vehicles behind you. The car should be parked on the roadside or emergency lane, preferably on a flat surface. If the hazard lights are not already on, they should be activated immediately to warn other drivers. When changing to a spare tire, place a warning triangle 50 to 100 meters behind the vehicle, or 150 meters on highways. In rainy or foggy conditions, increase this distance appropriately to alert approaching vehicles.
As a veteran driver with decades of experience, I'm telling you, never continue driving with a flat rear tire. Tires rely on air pressure to support the vehicle's weight. When deflated, the rubber folds and directly rubs against the ground and the wheel rim, causing extreme heat buildup and even a blowout. I've seen people stubbornly drive on a flat before, resulting in a deformed and ruined wheel rim, costing thousands to repair. More importantly, handling becomes unstable, making the vehicle prone to veering or losing control, especially doubling the danger on highways. The safest approach is to immediately slow down, pull over, and turn on hazard lights. It's best to keep a spare tire and tool kit in the car and check tire pressure monthly. This way, if something goes wrong, you can quickly change it yourself. Delaying can lead to greater financial losses and personal risks—driving is no joke.
As a young car owner, I panicked when my rear tire recently went flat and tried to drive home, only to make things worse. Driving on a completely flat tire can cause the wheel rim to deform under pressure and rapidly wear out/damage the tire sidewall. Not only is repair costly, but handling becomes difficult with potential loss-of-control risks. The solution is simple: Safely pull over, check the spare tire pressure (many forget this step). Without a spare, use your phone to call roadside assistance. Even for short distances, drive slowly—but avoid driving at all if completely flat. Remember to regularly inflate tires to prevent low-pressure issues. This experience taught me that proper maintenance saves hassle and ensures safety.
