Can You Push a Car with a Flat Tubeless Tire?
2 Answers
Tubeless tires cannot be pushed when flat. The specific reasons are as follows: 1. Hazards of continued driving: If a car tire is flat and continues to be driven, the tread will be crushed and damaged. This is mainly due to the mutual friction between the tire and the rim, which causes rapid wear of the tire, leading to faster tire failure. It may even cause the rubber to overheat and detach. Sustained high temperatures can melt the rubber, causing fatal damage to the tire's internal structure and ultimately posing a safety hazard for the vehicle. 2. Rim issues: The rim may be damaged or deformed. When the tire is flat, the rim comes into hard contact with ground obstacles more frequently, leading to potential damage. Tubeless tires are made of high-quality rubber, offering good elasticity, flexibility, and a wide range of pressure adaptability. Even at high pressure, they do not feel as stiff as conventional tires. Therefore, tire pressure must be checked with a pressure gauge. Except for punctures, tubeless tires generally do not lose air on their own. Thus, when inflating, use a pressure gauge to check and maintain the specified pressure, and do not rely on manual feel to decide whether to add air, as with conventional tires.
I've been driving for over ten years and have encountered several embarrassing situations with flat tires, especially with the common design of tubeless tires. I must say, while it's technically possible to push a car with a flat tubeless tire, I strongly advise against it due to the high risks involved. Without the protection of air pressure, the rim comes into direct contact with the ground, and pushing the car even a few dozen meters can cause the wheel rim to deform or the tire sidewall to rupture. Once damage occurs, the repair costs can be quite hefty. Additionally, the car becomes unbalanced, making it difficult to control the direction, and pushing it can easily lead to skidding or even tipping over—safety should always come first. This is especially true on highways or slopes, where extra caution is needed. General advice: if the car can still move, drive slowly to a safe location; if it's completely immobile, prioritize calling for roadside assistance or using the spare tire. Regularly check tire pressure and equip yourself with a portable air pump or tire pressure monitor—these can be lifesavers in critical moments. For safety's sake, don't cut corners by pushing the car; the cost of repairs is far more economical than the time and effort saved by pushing.
