On the Road 3 min read
A flat tire is an inconvenience that doesn’t usually happen very often. However, depending on where you live, it could happen more often than you like. According to Autoily, the average driver will experience up to five flat tires in a lifetime. They report that, on average, seven tire punctures occur every second in the United States, accounting for 220 million flat tires annually. Read on to discover several solutions for how to avoid flat tires and tips for how to tell if a tire is flat or just needs air.
Why do I keep getting flat tires on my car?
If you’ve had a flat tire and gotten the tire repaired only to have it go flat again, Firestone suggests that it could be any of the following:
- Tire age
- Dry rot
- Faulty valve stem
- Leaky tire bead
- A faulty tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor
If you suspect your tires may have one of these issues, it’s likely time to visit a tire repair shop and find a mechanic to inspect them to prevent another flat.
Can a tire go flat for no reason?
If a tire goes flat, there’s always a reason. However, that reason may not be a puncture or seem obvious. Some causes of a flat tire that are not puncture related include:
- Faulty valve stem: If the tire’s valve stem has cracked or corroded, air can escape and cause the tire to go flat. You can repair the valve stem without replacing the tire.
- Temperature variations: High temperatures in the summer and cold temperatures in winter can cause fluctuations in the air pressure in your tires. Try reinflating your tires before assuming there’s a leak.
- Low tire pressure: Driving on tires with low pressure can weaken them and increase the chance for a flattened tire. Plus, according to Fueleconomy.gov, underinflated tires can lead to lower gas mileage. Refill your tires soon after you notice they’re low.
- Over-inflation: Avoid filling your tires higher than the manufacturer’s recommended level to avoid getting a flat.
10 tips for preventing flat tires on your car
- Keep your tires properly inflated: Check your tire pressure regularly and keep it at the recommended level. Underinflated tires can cause excessive heat buildup, leading to a blowout. Learn more about the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle.
- Check your tires regularly: Look for any signs of excessive wear or damage, including cuts, punctures, and bulges. If you notice any of these, get the tire repaired quickly.
- Avoid overloading your vehicle: Ensure that you aren’t carrying more weight than your tires can handle. You’ll find a sticker on the driver’s side door frame and in the vehicle’s owner’s manual which contains your vehicle’s load capacity and the recommended air pressure for your tires. Overloading can cause stress on your tires and increase the risk of a flat.
- Avoid potholes and debris when you can: Do your best to safely steer clear of obstacles in the road that could damage your tires. If you can’t avoid them, drive over them slowly and carefully.
- Avoid poorly maintained roads: Rough roads with lots of bumps and dips can cause your tires to wear out sooner. Take alternate routes and drive more slowly when you can’t avoid bumpy roads.
- Rotate your tires regularly: Rotating your tires helps distribute the wear and tear evenly, which can help prevent a flat tire.
- Get your tires balanced: While getting them rotated, get your tires balanced, as that also helps distribute wear and can help prevent a flat.
- Avoid stopping and starting suddenly: Accelerating rapidly and braking hard causes your tires to wear out quickly.
- Keep your wheels properly aligned: Misaligned wheels can cause your tires to wear out more quickly than they would otherwise, making them more prone to getting flat.
- Invest in high-quality tires: Good-quality tires installed by a professional are more likely to hold up longer than cheaper, low-quality tires.
How to tell if a tire is flat or just needs air
There’s a difference between a flat tire and a deflated one. A flat tire has lost all its air pressure and appears visibly flattened against the rim. Various things can cause a tire to go flat, such as a puncture, a damaged valve stem, or a problem with the tire’s sidewall or bead.
A deflated tire has lost some or all its air pressure but may still appear to have some shape and structure, especially if the leak is slow. You can refill a deflated tire and drive to a safe place to have a mechanic inspect it. You’ll have to repair a flat tire before you can drive on it again safely. Learn about whether car insurance covers tire damage.
You can follow these tips to prevent flat tires, and you can also brush up on how to fix a flat tire.
FAQs
Avoid poorly maintained roads: Rough roads with lots of bumps and dips can cause your tires to wear out sooner. Take alternate routes and drive more slowly when you can't avoid bumpy roads. Rotate your tires regularly: Rotating your tires helps distribute the wear and tear evenly, which can help prevent a flat tire.
How to keep tires from going flat? ›
5 ways to help prevent a flat tire
- Check tire pressure. It's important to make sure your car's tires are properly inflated. ...
- Rotate tires. Having your tires rotated regularly may help avoid uneven wear patterns and prolong the life of your tires, the NHTSA says. ...
- Avoid hazards. ...
- Don't overload. ...
- Watch for tire recalls.
Tires go flat due to various reasons, such as sun exposure, extreme temperatures, and underuse, which make them lose air pressure rapidly. They can also go flat due to damage, leaky tire beads, and malfunctioning valve stems.
What is the leading cause of flat tires? ›
Puncture from a sharp object.
This is the most common cause of flat tires. Sharp objects like nails, screws, and glass can easily puncture a tire.
How do I keep my tires from deflating? ›
The Solution: Regular Maintenance for tires that lose air
Inspect for Damage: Examine your tires for any visible punctures, cuts, or damage. If you find any issues, have them repaired promptly. Valve Stem Maintenance: Regularly inspect valve stems and caps for signs of wear or damage and replace them if necessary.
Can you prevent a flat tire? ›
Avoid poorly maintained roads: Rough roads with lots of bumps and dips can cause your tires to wear out sooner. Take alternate routes and drive more slowly when you can't avoid bumpy roads. Rotate your tires regularly: Rotating your tires helps distribute the wear and tear evenly, which can help prevent a flat tire.
How do you make tires last longer? ›
To make your tires last longer, it's essential to maintain proper tire pressure, rotate them regularly to ensure even wear, get wheel alignments when needed, avoid aggressive driving habits, and frequently inspect them for any signs of damage or uneven wear.
Why is my tire going flat but no leak? ›
Why Is My Tire Going Flat Without A Hole? The first thing to inspect if your tire is going flat is for holes or cracks along the tire tread and sidewalls. If your search comes up with no cracks or tire punctures, the next thing could possibly be your valve stem or leakage around the rim.
Which tire is most likely to go flat? ›
In terms of physics, with all things being equal, which tire on a car is the most likely to go flat first? - Quora. The right front tire in the US, because it encounters the edge of the road more often and first. Road hazards like pothole, nails, etc tend to be on the side of the road.
Do tires need air every month? ›
Valve stems deteriorate and leak air due to the exposure to lots of chemicals on the road. Usually, drivers get a new set along with the new tires. However, if a tire loses air slowly yet over 1-3 psi a month, they may need replacement earlier. Over-tightening valve cores may also be one of the reasons of the leak.
Flat tires can be caused by defective or worn tread. If the tire has lost air, it could be a sign of an issue with the rubber itself due to normal wear and tear. The cause may also come from a sharp object puncturing the tire, causing it to leak air and creating a flat spot on the surface.
What makes a tire flat free? ›
Flat-free tires are typically tires constructed of lightweight polyurethane. They do not contain any air and are manufactured to be puncture-proof.
What 4 factors are related to flat tires? ›
The Most Common Causes of Flat Tires
- Puncture from Road Debris. One of the most prevalent causes of flat tires is punctures from road debris. ...
- Underinflation. ...
- Driving on Rough Terrain. ...
- Faulty Wheel Alignment. ...
- Tire Treatment from Neil Huffman Volkswagen.
Mounting Problems – This is a common reason why new tires leak air. Corrosion at your vehicle's rim where it meets the tire is likely to be the cause of air loss. Damaged Valves – Brand new tires can have faulty valves, but the valves can be easily and inexpensively replaced.
Why do my tires lose air so quickly? ›
Sometimes, an old or faulty valve stem can lead to air loss. A less dramatic reason might be a missing valve cap or even changes in temperature. Rapidly dropping or rising temperatures can cause changes in tire pressure, which makes it seem like your tires are losing air rapidly.
How often should I inflate my tires? ›
It is recommended to check and fill your tyres every month to ensure they are inflated to the correct pressure. Tubeless tyres run at a lower pressure than regular tyres, around 10 PSI less than tubed tyres, therefore they need more attention and need to be checked and filled up more often.
Why does my tire go flat but no puncture? ›
Why Is My Tire Going Flat Without A Hole? The first thing to inspect if your tire is going flat is for holes or cracks along the tire tread and sidewalls. If your search comes up with no cracks or tire punctures, the next thing could possibly be your valve stem or leakage around the rim.
Why do my tires keep deflating? ›
Tyre and Wheel Damage
A wheel that has lost its round shape will not hold the tyre tightly onto it. This causes the bead area to leak out some of the air in the tyre. This can cause your tyre to become flat within days or weeks depending on the damage. Another cause of air loss is a poor valve stem.
Why do tires go flat when car sits? ›
The weight of the car compresses the tires against the ground, creating flat spots. Changes in temperature lead to changes in air pressure within the tires, contributing to flat spot development.
What to put under tires when storing a car? ›
Tire cushions, also known as tire savers, are another option for preventing flat spots during long-term storage. These are cushioned devices that are placed under each tire to help distribute the weight of the vehicle more evenly across the tire surface.
On the Road 3 min read