What to Do When a Car Tire Goes Flat, Can You Still Drive?

[DiValentina]

You should not continue driving when a car tire goes flat. Driving under such conditions can damage the car's rims and, in severe cases, harm the vehicle's suspension. Most modern cars come equipped with a spare tire or temporary tire repair fluid for emergencies. If a tire goes flat, you can use these emergency supplies first and then slowly drive the car to a 4S shop or repair shop for servicing. If the situation is severe, it is advisable to replace the tire with a new one directly. The symptoms of a flat tire are as follows: 1. Steering wheel becomes heavy: The increased friction between the tire and the ground makes steering more difficult, resulting in a heavier steering wheel. 2. Car imbalance: If a tire is flat, you will noticeably feel the car tilting to one side. 3. Reduced speed: The car's speed will significantly decrease, and acceleration will require more effort than usual. 4. Driving noise: When driving with a flat tire, the car will produce a sound similar to 'thud, thud, thud.'

[LawsonLynn]

I realized that when a car tire is flat, you really can't keep driving. Last week, while driving to work, I felt the car was a bit unstable. After pulling over to check, sure enough, one tire was flat. I knew that driving could cause friction between the tire and rim, leading to overheating and a potential blowout—not only ruining the tire and costing a lot to replace but also risking loss of control and an accident. I immediately turned on the hazard lights, pulled over to a safe spot, and carefully checked for nails or other damage. Luckily, I had a spare tire and a jack in the car, and it only took fifteen minutes to replace it. If I didn’t have the tools, I’d usually call roadside assistance or a friend for help. I always make sure the spare tire is properly inflated and regularly check the tire pressure of all wheels to ensure safe travel. This small habit can prevent big trouble.

[StVivienne]

When encountering a flat tire, I absolutely dare not continue driving because the risk is too great. I once tried rushing without stopping, and within just a few hundred meters, the tire was completely ruined, costing me much more for a replacement than I expected. Now, I immediately find a safe spot to pull over, engage the handbrake, turn off the engine, and use the tire pressure gauge from the trunk to check the situation. If it's a slow leak, I might use a portable air pump to temporarily inflate it, but if there's obvious damage, I'll directly switch to the spare tire. I first loosen the lug nuts, then use the jack to lift the car, remove the old tire, install the new one, tighten everything, and drive slowly to the repair shop. A reminder to everyone: always keep reflective warning triangles in your car to prevent secondary accidents, especially at night when extra caution is needed. Learning basic tire-changing skills is quite useful and can save a lot of time and money.

[SanOwen]

I definitely won't drive with a flat tire anymore, I've learned my lesson the hard way. Last summer during a trip, my tire went flat and I foolishly tried to limp to the service area, only to have it blow out completely, leaving me stranded on the road. It delayed my trip and was dangerous. Now, at the first sign of trouble, I pull over to inspect. The spare tire has been my savior. First, I make sure to place warning triangles at a safe distance, then attempt to inflate if I have the proper tools. If that doesn't work, I change the tire or call for help. The lesson learned is to regularly check tire pressure and tread wear.