3 Things To Know About Driving A Car With A Flat Tire

11 December 2015 by Avery Ellis

If you discovered that one of your car tires was flat and had to drive to the nearest gas station to air it up, you may have caused damage to the tire itself, or to the damage to the wheel or other parts of the car. After this happens, you should take your car to an auto repair shop to have the tire and your car examined. Here are three things you should know about driving with a flat tire.

You should avoid driving when a tire is flat

Flat tires can occur at any given point in time for many reasons, and when this happens, you should try to avoid driving on the tire. If you decide to drive the car to a nearby gas station, you should drive it as slowly as possible. It is better not to drive on a flat tire, but driving it a short distance is not likely to damage the tire or your car.

Damage can occur in multiple ways

There are several things that can happen when driving with a flat tire, but one main concern is your safety. Driving with a flat tire can be a dangerous task, because you will have to go slow, and because it may be harder to control the direction your car is going in.

Driving with a flat tire can also lead to damage to the tire itself, and this can happen very quickly. When a tire is flat while you drive, it can cause the sidewalls to give out. This can lead to the tire falling off the rim. If this happens, you could experience further damage to your car's:

Rotors
Calipers
Brake lines
Suspension

When a tire is flat, it will cause the car to lean, because a lot of the support will be gone for that particular side of the car. As the tire begins to wear away from driving on it, parts can end up bent, and this could lead to major car repairs.

An auto repair shop can check these things

If you get to a gas station and fill the tire up with air, you should still go to an auto repair shop to have a mechanic look everything over. This will help you know if there is any damage to the parts of your car, or if the car is fine.

To learn more about driving with a flat tire, or to get repairs for damage incurred from this, contact a shop that offers auto repairs in your area.

To learn more, contact an auto repair shop like Covey's Auto.

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About Me

Before handing me the keys to my first car, my dad set down some rules. I was responsible for the auto insurance, the maintenance, and the repairs. If I failed to keep up the car properly, then the keys would be taken away. My father's motivation was to teach me what it meant to be a car owner. He also wanted me to realize that failing to keep up a car responsibly would mean breakdowns at the worst possible times. Thanks to his guidance, I am happy to say that the only trouble I've had on the road is having to change a flat tire. If you are the proud owner of your first car, stick around and I'll tell you a little about insurance, roadside assistance, and general car maintenance. I guarantee that what you learn will serve you well in the years to come.