Here are some of the possible dangers it poses: Irreparable tire damage Driving on a flat tire can be risky for both you and your car, so you may want to limit how far you drive and get it repaired as soon as possible. Why is driving on a flat tire dangerous?Ĭar tires are calibrated to hold a certain amount of pressure. Occasionally, you could hear a loud “pop” if your tire was punctured during a drive.

You may also notice vibrations or a “flapping” sound. When driving, a flat tire will sometimes create an imbalance in the steering and alignment, “pulling” the car to one side. How to know if you have a flat tireĪ flat tire will sit flat on the ground and visibly lower than the other tires on your car. In contrast to the examples above, a blowout happens suddenly with a large rupture and is caused by things like overload, driving over road damage, or uneven structural weakness due to treadwear. In addition, a tire could be flat when it’s simply underinflated, or leaking air from the valve.

It’s a bit like a plastic container with a loose lid that allows its contents to spill out. A sharp object - nails and screws are common culprits - can puncture the tire and leave a hole.Ī tire can also go flat from what’s known as a “bead leak,” where the tire can’t get an airtight seal because of debris or corrosion to the wheel. Nearly every driver will face a flat tire at some point, so what do you need to know if it happens to you? What causes a flat tire?įlat tires often result from an air leak in the tire itself. Flat tires are a common nuisance for drivers and can happen at the worst times.

Tires that don't go flat