A flat tyre is one of the most common problems drivers face on the road. Not surprisingly, many people are interested in how much you can drive with a flat tyre, how to do it correctly, what driving mistakes can damage the car, its suspension, shock absorbers, steering rack and other elements that are most sensitive to external loads. All rules and recommendations concerning this situation require careful consideration.
Why does a car get a flat tyre?
First of all, you need to establish why the wheel is flat. There are several reasons:
- Puncture or cut. The most common situation. Passing over a sharp metal object or even a stone causes mechanical damage to the tyre, it loses its seal and begins to bleed air.
- Damage to the inner tube. If the integrity cannot be restored by screwing with a special wrench, the part must be replaced.</li
- Weak tightening of the nipple. You can avoid using a wrench by tightening the thread.
- Distortion of the disc. If the wheel is flat, this may be due to the disc buckling under the impact of driving over a bump or kerb. The seal of the tyre is broken and the air escapes.
- Significant tyre wear. The only way out is to replace them.
- Air leaks through the inner tube. This problem is relevant to tubeless tyres. The inner tube must contact the disc as tightly as possible, otherwise it will not work.
Can I ride with a puncture?
According to the Highway Code, you can drive with a flat tyre, there is no direct prohibition against driving. The exception to this is damage that causes the cord to become visible or is associated with the separation of the tread from the lateral planes of the tyre. Such defects are not permitted by the Highway Code and the inspector has the right to impose a fine.
However, the absence of prohibitions should not be misleading, it does not mean that you can drive as much as you like on a flat tyre, using the vehicle as if nothing had happened. At the very least, you should reduce your speed, drive with extreme caution and switch on your emergency lights. What happens if you drive on a flat tyre without taking the necessary precautions?
The negative consequences are many:
- The car deviates from a straight line, it is noticeably steered sideways. The higher the speed, the more pronounced this phenomenon becomes.
- Increased fuel consumption.
- Increased stress on all parts of the tyre, particularly the sidewalls, which are not designed to withstand such effects, with a high risk of complete bursting.
- Crushing due to the inability of the cord to compensate for friction and impact.
- Increased stress on the disc, suspension, flat wheel loses elasticity and ability to cushion
- Loss of steering control, especially at high speeds.
- Reduced efficiency of the braking system.
In general, the answer to the question of whether you can ride with a puncture is yes, but with many limitations and additional risk factors. The most sensible option is to stop and replace the damaged part with a spare.
How long can I drive on a flat tyre?
If you do not have a spare tyre in the boot, you need to consider expert advice on how long you can drive on a flat tyre. It is difficult to give precise figures, as too much depends on the specifics of the situation, the severity of the damage, the condition of the road surface and even the weather. However, some tips are always relevant:
- If you have a pump to hand and the puncture is not too serious, you should stop regularly to pump up the tyre to prevent it from dropping below 1 atmosphere. This will lengthen your journey.</li
- No pump? Well, the maximum distance to a garage or service station is 2 kilometres. At the same time, the speed limit drops to 40, or better – 30 kilometres per hour. In winter you can add a few more kilometres, the cold air comes out slower, but the speed limits remain relevant.</li
- If the side panel is damaged, the part will last for another 10 kilometres.
What to do when the wheel is flat?
This is a question of interest to all riders. What do you do when the wheel is flat? The best option is to get to a garage or workshop as quickly as possible, but only within the prescribed speed limits, or to fit a spare wheel immediately. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, as the puncture can occur dozens of kilometres from the city. So, a flat tyre on the car: what to do if the front or rear tyre is damaged?
What to do if you have a puncture?
In general, the algorithm of actions does not depend on the location of the part, except for one moment. If the front wheel is punctured, you can replace it with one of the rear wheels. Yes, this will not solve the problem completely, but it will increase the remaining distance. The reason for this is the increased load. The front wheels are under pressure from the weight of the engine, gearbox and other heavy units, so the air goes out much faster than on the much lighter rear axle.
What to do if the rear wheel goes flat?
If your rear wheel is flat, you need to stop and try to find the cause of the problem. Can you see a cut or puncture with the naked eye? Well, it is almost impossible to repair in the field, if you do not have a spare wheel you will have to carefully ride to a service station or call a tow truck. If the cause is more trivial, such as a leaking nipple or valve, it is worth tightening it by hand or with a wrench.
Recommendations and tips
Any problem is easier to prevent than to fix in a hurry. How do I know my tyre is flat? If the car is equipped with pressure sensors, the computer itself will give you a warning, otherwise you will have to rely on your feelings, external knocks and the car’s unstable behaviour on the road. To avoid such a situation, do not drive on pits, unpaved roads with coarse gravel or rocky ground, do not “fly” over kerbs. A single bump is sometimes enough to cause serious damage.
To prevent the problem from becoming critical, keep a spare tyre in the boot or a special sealant that can be poured into the damaged tyre. The compound hardens on contact with air and forms a sort of patch. Yes, this is a temporary measure, but it will make it easier for you to get to a garage or service centre where the specialists can carry out a full vulcanisation and repair