Imagine this scenario: you’re cruising down the highway, belting out your favorite tune, and suddenly you feel a strange vibration coming from your car. You glance down at the dashboard and see that one of your tire pressure warning lights has come on. You think to yourself, “I’ll just make it to the next exit and then deal with it.”
Is your TPMS (flat tire) light on, but your tire isn’t flat? This article tells you how to fix it!
Should you try to make it to the next gas station? What’s the harm in driving on a flat tire, it’s already flat!
Wrong move, my friend! Go ahead and put on the spare tire. If you’re driving on a flat tire, you’re putting yourself and your beloved ride in serious danger. Here’s why:
Totter and Wobble
Flat tires are like high heels for your car – they can make it totter and wobble all over the place. This can make it difficult to maintain control of your vehicle and increase your chances of getting into a crash.
This can be extremely dangerous. When a tire is flat, it is unable to provide the proper support and traction that your vehicle needs to safely travel on the road.
Rim Damage
When you’re driving on a flat tire, the rim of the wheel is actually coming into contact with the road. This can damage the rim, the tire, and even the suspension of your car. Talk about a rough ride!
Okay, let’s say you continued to drive with a completely flat tire. Now the cost of repair has gone up significantly. Repairing a flat tire caused by a nail or screw in the road is usually less than $25 (if the sidewall isn’t damaged). But if you drive on a flat tire and the rim and sidewalls get damaged, now you are looking at replacing the entire tire and rim!
Handling and Control
Flat tires can cause your car to handle poorly, making it difficult to steer and brake. Imagine trying to parallel park with a flat tire – you’d end up in a parallel universe!
Overheating
If your tire is low on air pressure but not yet completely flat, the increased tire deformation with each rotation can cause the tire to overheat, which can lead to a blowout. And let’s be real, no one wants to be driving down the highway with a giant explosion happening underneath them.
Conclusion
So, in conclusion, if you ever find yourself with a flat tire, don’t try to be a hero and drive on it. Just pull over to the side of the road, change the tire, and get on your way. Trust us, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is a good resource for additional information regarding proper tire pressure, tread, balance and alignment, rotation, and recommended tire size for your vehicle.
Stay safe out there!
Not sure how to change a flat tire? Check out this handy post on how to change a flat tire!
Practical Mechanic 