It’s always a nightmare for a car owner to hear of a flat tire. As scary as it may sound, double the trouble if you don’t have a spare tire. You can also triple it if you are in an emergency or hurry to attend a meeting. 

How far can you drive or squeeze with a flat tire? The answer is zero miles unless you use run-flat tires. Stop the car and change the tire whenever you get a puncture. You may call the nearest tire shop for roadside assistance if you don’t have a spare tire. 

However, if all fails, you can drive slowly and carefully, but your destination should be relatively near. And it shouldn’t be any destination rather than the tire shop. Learn more about the risks of driving with a flat tire on the next topic. 

Why Don’t Experts Recommend Driving on a Flat Tire?

One of the risks that may occur while driving with a flat tire is traction loss. Experts warn about this because it can result in severe road accidents. Secondly, you expose your vehicle to more damage which can cost you more on repairs. The tire rim is the most vulnerable part if driven with a puncture or low air pressure. 

Suppose you must drive for a short distance to reach the tire shop, maintain a speed of 50 mph or less, and ensure better vehicle control. However, if you completely lose the tire pressure or get to a road with potholes, driving even at 5 mph is very risky. 

What Is the Best Solution for a Flat Tire? 

We often drive long distances and in areas without access to repair shops. As such, we recommend having a spare tire always. Note that a spare tire is also a recommendation in many state traffic laws. But apart from that, it saves you the hassle of finding a tire shop in an emergency. Additionally, it saves time and also saves you from driving slowly. 

How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

You can drive for 50 miles with a spare tire. Most spare tires, like donut types, are designed for short drives to find the nearest repair services. However, this short-term use can save you much in case you are in an emergency. Most drivers stretch it to even 70 miles if they don’t find a repair shop nearer. This is better because you can reach your destination and choose to fix the puncture later. Ideally, check the owner’s manual to know the exact number of miles you can drive.

How to Replace a Flat Tire

In case you have a spare tire, you can carry out the following procedure to replace the flat tire and resume your journey: 

• Park the car on the safe side of the road and use lie savers to avoid road hazards. 
• Gather the necessary tools and the spare tire. 
• Loosen the lug nuts and jack it up. 
• Remove the low-pressure tire and replace it. 
• Slowly lower your vehicle and remove the jack. 

How Can I Prevent a Flat Tire?

Although you may not entirely avoid a flat tire, you can do simple practices to minimize the chances of facing the risk. Regularly check tire pressure, avoid overloading, rotate your tires when they achieve the recommended mileage, and change any old tires. Contact us today at TreadNation to learn more about new tires and care tips.