No, it is not safe to drive on a flat tire, even for a short distance
Driving on a flat tire damages the tire itself beyond repair, destroys the wheel rim, and can damage the suspension and brake system. The car pulls hard to one side, your brakes respond unpredictably, and you lose steering control in an emergency. Even at low speed, a flat tire can cause a crash. The only safe choice is to stop as soon as you can do so without swerving into traffic.
The damage happens fast. A tire that is completely flat loses all cushioning between the wheel and the road. The rubber sidewall collapses under the car's weight, and the rim grinds directly against the pavement. After a few hundred feet, the tire is destroyed. After a few miles, the rim is bent or cracked, the suspension components are damaged, and you may have damaged the brake line or axle. A new tire costs $100 to $300. A bent rim costs $150 to $400. Suspension and brake damage can cost $500 to $2,000 or more.
Key Takeaways
- A completely flat tire should not be driven on at all — stop when ready in a safe location and call for roadside help or change the tire.
- Driving on a flat tire for even a short distance destroys the tire permanently and damages the wheel rim, suspension, and possibly the brakes.
- A soft tire (low pressure but not completely flat) may be safe to drive slowly to a nearby repair shop, but only if the tire is holding air and the pressure is above 20 PSI.
- If you hear a loud bang or feel sudden vibration while driving, pull over when ready — do not assume the tire will hold until you reach your destination.
- Roadside information, a spare tire, or a tire plug kit are better options than driving on a flat, even if the destination is close.
How a flat tire affects your car's handling and safety
A flat tire removes the cushion that absorbs bumps and keeps the wheel centered under the car. The rim sits directly on the pavement, and the car's weight presses down unevenly. This causes the car to pull sharply toward the flat tire, making it hard to steer straight. Braking becomes unpredictable because the flat tire cannot grip the road the way an inflated tire does, and the uneven weight distribution can cause the brake system to lock up on one side.
In an emergency — a child running into the road, a car stopping suddenly in front of you — you need to brake hard and steer quickly. A flat tire makes both of those moves dangerous. Your brakes may not respond evenly, and your steering may not respond at all. The car may skid, spin, or roll. Even if you are driving slowly in a residential area, a flat tire removes your ability to react safely.
The difference between a completely flat tire and a slow leak
A completely flat tire has no air pressure at all. The sidewall is collapsed, and the rim is touching the road. This tire cannot be driven on under any circumstances. Stop when ready.
A slow leak is a tire that is losing air gradually but still has some pressure. You may notice the car pulling slightly, or the steering feeling a little heavier, but the tire is not visibly collapsed. If the tire pressure is still above 20 PSI and the tire is holding air (not losing pressure while you drive), you may be able to drive slowly — under 20 miles per hour — to a nearby tire repair shop. Check the tire pressure with a gauge if you have one. If the pressure is below 20 PSI, or if the tire is losing air while you drive, treat it as a flat and stop.
The risk of driving on a slow leak is that it can become a blowout. If the tire pressure drops suddenly while you are driving, the tire can fail completely and cause you to lose control. This is more likely at higher speeds or on highways. If you are on a highway, do not attempt to drive on a slow leak — pull over and call for roadside help.
What to do if you get a flat tire while driving
If you hear a loud bang or feel sudden vibration or pulling, do not brake hard or swerve. Grip the steering wheel firmly and ease off the accelerator. Let the car slow down gradually. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see you.
Once the car is moving slowly, look for a safe place to pull over. A parking lot, a wide shoulder away from traffic, or a quiet side street is better than stopping on a busy road. If you are on a highway, keep driving slowly until you reach an exit or a wide shoulder where you are not in the path of traffic. Do not stop in a travel lane.
Once you have stopped safely, turn off the engine and turn on your hazard lights. If you have a spare tire and a jack, you can change the tire yourself. If you do not, or if you are not comfortable doing it, call roadside information. Most car insurance policies include roadside information, and many credit cards offer it as a benefit. If you do not have roadside information, you can call a towing service or a local tire shop to come pick you up.
When a spare tire or tire repair kit is worth carrying
A full-size spare tire is the safest option. It is the same size as your regular tires and can be driven on at normal speeds. Changing a flat tire with a full-size spare takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have the tools and know how to do it. Many newer cars do not come with a full-size spare — they come with a compact spare or no spare at all.
A compact spare tire (also called a donut) is smaller and lighter than a regular tire. It is meant to be a temporary fix only. You can drive on a compact spare, but only at speeds under 50 miles per hour and for distances under 70 miles. After that, the tire can overheat and fail. If you use a compact spare, drive directly to a tire shop to have your flat tire repaired or replaced.
A tire plug kit or tire sealant can temporarily seal a small puncture (a nail or screw hole, not a sidewall tear or blowout). A plug kit costs $10 to $20 and takes 10 to 15 minutes to use. Tire sealant (like Slime or Fix-a-Flat) costs $10 to $15 and works when ready, but it makes the tire harder to repair later and can damage tire shop equipment. Both are temporary fixes — you still need to drive to a tire shop to have the tire properly repaired or replaced.
If you drive frequently in remote areas, on long highway trips, or in places where cell service is unreliable, carrying a full-size spare and a basic tire repair kit is worth the space in your trunk. If you mostly drive in cities or suburbs where help is nearby, a compact spare or tire sealant is usually enough.
How to tell if a tire can be repaired or needs to be replaced
Not every flat tire means buying a new tire. A small puncture (a nail, screw, or small hole in the tread) can usually be repaired with a plug or patch. A tire shop can repair a puncture for $10 to $30. A tire that has been driven on while flat, or that has a large hole, a sidewall tear, or multiple punctures, cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
When you take your car to a tire shop, the technician will inspect the tire to see whether it can be repaired. They will look at the size and location of the damage. If the damage is in the tread (the part that touches the road), it can usually be repaired. If the damage is in the sidewall (the part between the tread and the rim), the tire cannot be repaired and must be replaced. If you have driven on the tire while it was flat, the sidewall is usually damaged, and the tire must be replaced.
Preventing flats: tire maintenance and what to watch for
Check your tire pressure once a month and before long trips. The correct pressure is printed on a sticker inside the driver's door frame, not on the tire itself. Tires that are underinflated wear out faster and are more likely to overheat and fail. Tires that are overinflated are more likely to puncture and wear unevenly.
Inspect your tires visually every month. Look for objects stuck in the tread (nails, screws, glass), cracks or bulges in the sidewall, or uneven wear. If you see any of these, have the tire inspected by a tire shop. A small object in the tread may not cause a problem when ready, but it can cause a slow leak or a sudden blowout later.
Replace your tires when the tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch. You can check this with a penny: insert the penny into the tread with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tread is too worn and the tire should be replaced. Worn tires are more likely to puncture and are less effective in wet conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to a tire shop if my tire is slowly losing air?
Only if the tire pressure is above 20 PSI and you are driving slowly (under 20 mph) to a nearby shop. Check the pressure with a gauge if you have one. If the pressure is dropping while you drive, or if you are on a highway, pull over and call for roadside help instead. A slow leak can become a blowout without warning.
How long can I drive on a compact spare tire?
A compact spare is rated for speeds under 50 mph and distances under 70 miles. Driving faster or farther can cause the tire to overheat and fail. After using a compact spare, drive directly to a tire shop to have your flat tire repaired or replaced. Do not use a compact spare for regular driving or long trips.
What should I do if I get a flat tire on a highway?
Do not stop in a travel lane. Ease off the accelerator, turn on your hazard lights, and drive slowly to an exit or a wide shoulder away from traffic. Once you are safely off the highway, you can change the tire or call for roadside help. If you do not feel safe driving, call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
Will my insurance cover the cost of a new tire?
Most car insurance policies do not cover tire damage or replacement unless you have added roadside information or tire coverage to your policy. Check your policy or call your insurance company to find out what is covered. Some tire shops offer tire protection plans that cover punctures and damage for a small fee.
Is it safe to patch a tire myself with a plug kit?
A plug kit can work for a small puncture in the tread, but it is a temporary fix. The patch may not hold permanently, and the tire may fail while you are driving. After using a plug kit, drive to a tire shop to have the tire properly repaired or replaced. Do not rely on a plug kit as a permanent solution.