Can a Car Sit on a Flat Tire?

No automobile should be driven with a flat tire, but you also shouldn’t let one sit in that condition, even for a day. A car’s rims aren’t built to bear the entire weight of the vehicle without support from the tires, so you risk some of the damage you’d get from driving on flat tires. Driving or remaining parked with a flat tire may cause further damage to the rubber and the wheel components. #1 Cochran Buick-GMC Youngstown is here to help, so check out this guide on letting your car sit on a flat tire.

Can I Park My Car on a Flat Tire?

No, you shouldn’t leave your car with one or more flat tires on the ground, not even for one day. The rims aren’t designed to go without the support that properly inflated rubber provides. Forcing the rims to bear the full weight might damage or ruin the integrity of the wheel rim or associated parts.

This kind of damage can have further consequences and lead to alignment problems. Apart from worsened steering and excessive cabin vibration, misalignment can also shorten the lifespan of your drivetrain components, like your differential and transmission.

What if The Tire Is Flat but Not Damaged?

Even if you just have a deflated tire, you don’t want to leave it in that state, especially if your vehicle is resting on concrete or pavement. The weight can overburden the rubber and create weak points or flat spots that permanently misshape the tire. Tire damage or warping reduces the car’s efficiency as well as your safety and comfort. You’ll often need to replace tires that were left flat for too long, even after you fill them back up.

Why Have My New Tires Gone Flat?

Image by Kenny Eliason is licensed with Unsplash License

There are a couple of reasons a car’s tires can unexpectedly go flat, besides an obvious puncture or a malfunction like a leaky valve stem. Tire pressure usually drops or increases by about 1 PSI for every 10° Celsius. If your tire pressure is a little high and the temperature rises, this might overburden the tires and raise their chance of being damaged by an impact, like a pothole. On the other hand, if your tire pressure is dangerously low and the temperature drops, you might end up with borderline flat tires.

Besides the weather, tires that aren’t suitable for the driving conditions might be more vulnerable. For instance, if you go off-roading over rocky paths on sensitive sport tires, they would be more vulnerable to leaks or punctures since they aren’t designed to handle that kind of stress.

If you aren’t sure what is causing a suddenly flat tire, our service experts at #1 Cochran Buick-GMC Youngstown would be happy to help. Schedule a service with our tire center or contact us. We can work to get you back on the road and driving with fully inflated tires that are appropriate for your vehicle, your driving style, and the changing Ohio seasons.

What To Do if You Get a Flat on the Highway

If you get a flat tire on the highway, you should carefully get out of traffic without slamming the brakes or making sudden movements. Here are the general steps to follow:

• Grip the steering wheel firmly and let your foot off the gas and brake.
• Let your car slow down gradually, gently braking if needed but not to a stop.
• Let your car roll toward the nearest exit or an available shoulder area, lightly braking as you exit the main road.
• Come to a stop somewhere out of traffic’s way. Try not to stop on unpaved ground.
• Turn on your emergency hazard lights and call roadside assistance or someone who can help you.

It’s important not to brake too suddenly when you’ve got a flat because it could damage your vehicle further and make it behave unpredictably. If you do brake to a stop, just continue to drive steadily in the shortest safe path available until you can park.

What To Do If You Have a Flat Tire

Once you’re pulled over and out of your vehicle, you’ll usually need to use a spare tire to drive back home or to a tire shop. Here are some other options that might work better, depending on your situation:

Use an Emergency Tire Puncture Filler

Products like Fix-a-Flat allow you to plug a small to moderate puncture in your tire, enabling you to drive for a few days. However, this kind of spot repair doesn’t properly fix your tire. Replace it within at least two days, and remember that the effectiveness of these products varies depending on the severity of the tire damage.

Keep Your Car on a Jack Stand if You Have to Leave It

If you can’t fix your flat tire quickly, use the jack provided with your vehicle to keep it up and level. Most unburdened vehicles can handle being supported this way, and you could leave a car on jacks for weeks if necessary. If you must leave your car after getting a flat tire, remember to jack it up instead of leaving the wheel against the ground.

Call for Roadside Assistance or Towing if Necessary

Your car might be better off with a tow than driving on a spare tire, depending on its condition. Roadside assistance or other services often included with new Buick or GMC vehicles can make arrangements for a tow to a local tire shop for you. You can also see if any mobile tire services can visit you to install a new tire.

If you think one of your tires has gone flat while driving, try to carefully stop and park, and then either replace the tire with a spare or call for assistance. Always leave your car on a jack or jack stand before you leave it on a flat tire, and remember #1 Cochran Buick-GMC Youngstown and our experienced service department if you need a tow, new tires, or other auto services in Boardman.