Can You Still Drive a Car with a Flat Tire?
2 Answers
You should not continue driving with a flat tire. Here are the relevant details: Hazards of a flat tire: Continuing to drive with a flat tire can cause significant damage to the vehicle's suspension, transmission, and other systems, and may also deform the wheel rim. Most importantly, it endangers personal safety. As the tire loses its support, the stability of the vehicle body severely decreases, making it highly prone to traffic accidents. Therefore, the immediate priority is to slow down gradually and park the car in a relatively safe place to replace the spare tire or call for assistance. Run-flat tires in case of a flat: Of course, run-flat tires offer relatively higher safety. Even after a flat, they do not lose pressure instantly like regular tires. Their sturdy sidewalls can support the car to drive at speeds below 80km/h for about 80 kilometers. However, it's important to note that if the damage area of the run-flat tire is too large, you should not continue driving as it still poses certain safety risks.
If my car has a flat tire, as a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I would never attempt to continue driving. After a flat tire, the tire loses its support, and the steel rim will directly rub against the road surface, causing the wheel hub to deform or even severe damage to the chassis. I remember one time when a friend of mine didn't believe it and insisted on driving several kilometers on the highway after a tire blowout. The result was the entire wheel was ruined, and the repair cost thousands of dollars. Even more terrifying is that the car can suddenly lose control and skid, especially on slippery roads where it's highly prone to rollover. The correct approach is to immediately release the accelerator once a flat tire is detected, firmly grip the steering wheel to stabilize the direction, gently brake to pull over, and turn on the hazard lights while waiting for assistance. Never try to tough it out—safety is more important than anything else. Developing a habit of regularly checking tire pressure can prevent accidents, and replacing aging tires in time can also avoid such dangerous situations.
