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What to do with a flat tire?

If you have a flat tire, it may be for a number of reasons. Often, inflation pressure loss is a consequence of a tire puncture, or tire sidewall damage, but it could also be a leaking valve, valve cap or even the wheel. So what should you do when your tire goes flat? Let's get to the heart of the matter.
    • 17/03/2025 -  Updated on 31/07/2026

How do I know if my flat tire is caused by a tire puncture?

A flat tire may have suffered a tire puncture. The puncture may have been caused by a nail, a sharp foreign object that you drove over, an impact to the sidewall or a leaking valve.

Signs that you may have a tire puncture:

  • Sluggish or heavy steering

  • Apparent drag in the car when rolling slowly

  • A constant pull in one direction

  • Increased noise from one tire whilst cornering

  • Warning from tire pressure monitoring system

  • The car not sitting level as you approach it

  • A more deformed looking tire as it sits on the ground

tire blowout hero

In this case, it is recommended that you change your tire (or have your tire changed) and show your punctured tire to a professional.

Is driving with a flat tire safe?

No. Any tire puncture, no matter the size, must be checked by a qualified professional. It is not safe to reinflate a damaged tire because you risk rupturing the tire and an associated rapid deflation whilst you are close to it. Driving on a damaged tire may put yourself, your passengers and other road users at risk because the car may not handle normally and the tire may rupture.

Tire sidewall damage

Minor tread damage, away from the shoulders and sidewall of the tire, is often repairable.

But when a puncture or tear occurs anywhere close to or on the sidewall, minor repairs cannot be conducted. In such situations, to ensure that the tire is serviceable, a repair to the sidewall, referred to as a Major repair, must be used, to ensure that the sidewall is sufficiently reinforced but remains flexible. Often this kind of repair is not economical for a car tire and not many tire dealers have the necessary equipment.
Therefore, it might be preferable to replace your tire with a new one.

Car tire repairs should only be completed by competent technicians. The repairer may refuse to repair your tires for a number of reasons such as if they suspect the car has driven on the tire in an underinflated condition.

There are a number of additional reasons for which a tire may not be repairable. If you spot any of these your tire isn’t suitable for repair and needs replacing instead:

  • Less than 1.6 mm tread depth in the central ¾ of the tread width

  • Bead or structural damage or weakness, including internal corrosion caused by moisture entering via cuts.

  • Aged rubber

  • Multiple previous punctures

I have a flat tire that is not punctured nor damaged

In this case, there may be a leaking valve or wheel or it could be that your tires require more regular maintenance. It is natural for tires to lose a little inflation pressure over time. As part of regular monitoring, inflation pressure can be topped up periodically, provided the pressure has not fallen enough to cause damage to the tire.

It is recommended that tire inflation pressures should be checked at least monthly and before any long journeys. Such monitoring also identifies if there is a change in the rate of inflation pressure loss which might require investigation.

However, if not managed, pressure loss can eventually lead to significant under-inflation, which presents several risks:

  • Under-inflation shortens the life of the tread by increasing the wear rate in general but in particular on the outer edges (or shoulders) of the tire.

  • Under-inflation can also cause over flexing and overheating, which increases rubber wear rates but also weakens the tire structure.

  • Under-inflation can affect handling and performance, for example under heavy braking, especially in wet weather.

  • Under-inflation increases fuel consumption by increasing tire rolling resistance, which means more frequent stops at service stations and higher fuel costs.


To avoid these problems, it is important to check the pressure of your tires regularly, regardless of the type of vehicle you drive.

What tires can prevent puncture?

Michelin tires with Selfseal® Technology avoid pressure loss from punctures in the tread and immediately seal tread penetrations less than 6mm diameter. This protects the tire for a limited period until the puncture can be repaired.

MICHELIN ZP tires are identified by the ZP logo on the sidewall. They have a reinforced sidewall to support load for a limited period in event of a loss of inflation pressure.

With a MICHELIN ZP tire you can continue driving, but at a maximum speed of 50mph for a maximum distance of 50 miles, to allow you to find a dealer to repair or replace the tire. If more than one tire is punctured, you should not continue driving.

Learn more about runflat tires.

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FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions.

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  1. Stay calm—do not brake suddenly or make sharp steering movements.

  2. Reduce speed gradually by easing off the accelerator.

  3. Activate hazard lights.

  4. Steer toward a safe stopping location: an emergency lane, wide shoulder, or parking area.

  5. Do not stop on a curve, narrow shoulder, or anywhere with poor visibility.

  6. Once safely stopped, apply the parking brake before exiting the vehicle.

  7. If on a highway, stay in the vehicle and call for roadside assistance if it's unsafe to change the tire.

  • Punctures (nail, screw, sharp debris): largely unavoidable but catching them early (before they fully deflate) is possible with regular inspections.

  • Valve stem leaks: preventable by replacing valve stems when mounting new tires.

  • Bead leaks (tire/rim interface): can result from impact damage or improper mounting.

  • Sidewall damage: partially preventable by avoiding curb strikes and driving carefully in pothole-heavy areas.

  • Underinflation leading to failure: entirely preventable with monthly pressure checks.

  • Aging and blowout: preventable by replacing tires at or before 10 years of age.

No—unless your vehicle is equipped with run-flat tires and has not exceeded the speed or distance limits after pressure loss. Driving on a flat conventional tire destroys the tire within metres (the rim cuts through the carcass), damages the rim, and can damage brake components and the wheel well. At speed, it causes loss of control. Install your spare or call for roadside assistance. If you have a tire inflator/sealant kit (common in newer vehicles without spares), use it to see if the flat is a simple tread puncture that can be temporarily sealed—but still visit a shop for proper repair.

  • Repairable: puncture in the central tread area, no larger than 6mm (1/4"), tire not driven on while flat, tread depth above 1.6mm.

  • Not repairable: sidewall or shoulder puncture (regardless of size), any puncture larger than 6mm, tire driven on while flat, multiple punctures close together, tread depth below 1.6mm.

  • Assessment required: any tire exposed to significant pressure loss—internal inspection is mandatory before repair or reuse.

No. A plug (inserted into the puncture from outside without dismounting the tire) is a temporary emergency measure, not a permanent repair. Plugs do not allow for internal inspection, meaning hidden damage (cord breakage, liner damage from running flat) goes undetected. The proper repair is a patch-plug combination applied from the inside after full inspection. Michelin strongly advises against plug-only repairs and recommends having any plugged tire demounted and properly repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

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