How far can you drive on a flat tyre?

Tuesday 7th April 2020

In short, you should not continue driving if you have a flat tyre. However, it is possible to drive approximately several hundred yards on a flat tyre, to allow you to move to an area of safety. This is because the tyre can act as a cushion, which protects the rim – meaning you can drive further before you damage the rim of your tyre. However, it’s important that you do not continue driving on a flat tyre if you can help it. You should only be driving on a flat tyre to get to safety and out of the way of traffic.

Driving on a flat tyre

A flat tyre doesn’t always announce itself from a loud bang, or other obvious signs. Sometimes, you could be driving on a punctured tyre for weeks at a time, if you have driven over a nail, for example. A nail would likely hold the air in place, but gradually that air would start to be released, meaning your tyre would be experiencing a slow puncture as tyre air pressure would be gradually released over time.

However, there are instances where you immediately know you’re driving on a flat tyre, as your driving control is sufficiently altered, and you are unable to drive a long distance without needing to pull over. So, what should you do if you experience a flat tyre?

What to do when you get a flat tyre

Experiencing a puncture or flat tyre when you’re driving can be unsettling and stressful. However, if you do experience a flat tyre, ensure to follow these simple steps:

• Keep calm and act fast - the most important thing to remember is to stay calm – but take action quickly. Move your vehicle out of the way of oncoming traffic if possible, and pull into a safe area. Here, you can assess the damage to your tyre and decide on your next course of action.
• Tyre repair or replacement – next, you need to assess whether your tyre needs repairing or replacing. It may be that the tyre can be repaired at your local garage. However, you will still need to replace your tyre in order to drive your vehicle to the garage. If you have a spare tyre in the boot of your car, you will need to change your tyre (learn how to change a tyre from our handy guide). If you do not have a spare tyre, you may need to call for road-side assistance.
• Locate your nearest Formula One Autocentre – once you have changed your tyre, you will be able to drive to your local Formula One Autocentre in order to have your tyre replaced or repaired.

We have a wide variety of tyres to buy from leading tyre manufacturers here at Formula One Autocentres. For more information on our selection of tyres, get in touch with a member of our expert team here today.