Yes, you can tow a car with flat tires, but it’s generally not recommended for long distances or high speeds. Towing with flat tires can cause significant damage to your wheels, rims, suspension, and even the drivetrain. It’s best suited for short, slow movements to a safe location or a repair shop.
Don’t Panic! How to Safely Tow a Car With Flat Tires
Hitting a pothole or just noticing that dreaded slow leak? A flat tire can be a real bummer, especially when you’re not exactly a seasoned mechanic. For many first-time car owners, the thought of dealing with a flat is enough to cause a little anxiety. What if you’re stranded and can’t change it yourself? What are your options? One question that often pops up is: “Can you tow a car with flat tires?”
The short answer is yes, but it comes with a big however. Towing a vehicle with flat tires isn’t ideal and can lead to more problems than it solves if not done carefully. We’re here to break down exactly what you need to know, in plain English, so you can make the safest decision for your car and get yourself out of a sticky situation. We’ll cover the risks, the best ways to do it (if you absolutely must), and when it’s better to call for professional help. Let’s get you rolling again, safely!
Understanding the Risks: Why Towing with Flat Tires Isn’t Ideal
Before we dive into the “how-to,” it’s crucial to understand why towing a car with flat tires is a risky business. Think of your tires as the first line of defense for your car’s wheels and suspension. When a tire is flat, it’s not providing that cushion anymore. Instead, the weight of your car is resting directly on the metal rim.
Damage to Wheels and Tires
This is the most immediate and obvious risk. When the rim grinds against the road, it can:
- Bend or crack the wheel rim: Especially if your car has alloy wheels, which are more delicate than steel wheels, the rim can easily become misshapen or even break.
- Shred the tire: The tire carcass can be ripped apart by the friction and pressure, turning a fixable flat into an irreparable mess.
- Damage the tire valve stem: If the rim is dragging, it can also damage the valve stem, leading to further air loss or making a repair impossible.
Suspension and Steering Component Damage
Your car’s suspension system is designed to absorb shocks and keep your ride smooth. When a tire is flat, it throws off the car’s alignment and puts uneven stress on the suspension components:
- Bent suspension parts: The force of the rim on the road can bend control arms, tie rods, or other critical suspension parts.
- Worn-out bearings: The wheel bearings, which allow the wheel to spin freely, can be subjected to excessive force and wear out prematurely.
- Steering issues: Damage to steering components can affect your car’s ability to steer straight, making it dangerous to control.
Drivetrain and Braking System Issues
Depending on how the car is being towed and the type of drivetrain (front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive), towing with flat tires can also cause internal damage:
- Transmission damage: If you’re towing a front-wheel-drive car with the front wheels on the ground and a flat, the transmission might be engaged even if the engine isn’t running, causing internal wear. For rear-wheel drive, the same applies if the rear wheels are flat and on the ground.
- Brake damage: A flat tire can cause the brake rotor to drag against the road, potentially damaging the rotor, caliper, or brake lines.
When is it Okay to Tow with Flat Tires?
Given the risks, towing with flat tires should only be considered in very specific, limited circumstances:
- Very short distances: Moving the vehicle just a few feet or yards to get it out of a dangerous spot (like a busy lane of traffic) or onto a tow truck.
- Very low speeds: Keeping the speed extremely slow, barely above a walking pace.
- Smooth, flat surfaces: Towing on a perfectly smooth, level surface minimizes stress. Avoid rough roads, inclines, or declines.
For anything more than these minimal movements, it’s always safer and more cost-effective in the long run to get a proper tow truck. You can find reputable towing services through organizations like AAA (American Automobile Association) or by searching online for local towing companies.
How to Tow a Car with Flat Tires (The Short-Distance, Low-Speed Method)
If you absolutely must move a car with flat tires a short distance and at a very low speed, here’s a step-by-step guide. Remember, this is a temporary fix to get you to a safer spot, not a long-term solution.
Essential Tools You Might Need:
- Tow strap or chain (ensure it’s rated for your vehicle’s weight)
- Car jack
- Lug wrench
- Wheel chocks (or sturdy blocks of wood)
- Gloves
- Safety vest (highly recommended for visibility)
- Owner’s manual
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Assess the Situation & Ensure Safety:
First, ensure you and your vehicle are in a safe location, away from traffic. If you’re on the side of a busy road, turn on your hazard lights and consider wearing a safety vest. Your safety is the top priority. If you feel unsafe or unsure, stop and call for professional assistance.
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Determine Which Tires are Flat:
Identify which tire(s) are flat. This will help you decide how to proceed.
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Prepare the Towing Vehicle:
Make sure the vehicle doing the towing is capable of handling the weight of your car. Check your owner’s manual for towing capacity information.
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Attach the Tow Strap/Chain:
Locate the designated towing points on both vehicles. These are usually reinforced frames or hooks, often marked in your owner’s manual. Never attach a tow strap to suspension parts, the bumper, or the axle, as these can break under stress.
Connect the strap securely to the towing points. Ensure there’s no slack in the strap when you begin to move.
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Secure the Flat Tire(s) (Optional but Recommended):
If you’re only moving a short distance on a smooth surface, and only if the flat tire is not completely shredded, you can try to minimize damage. Some people place sturdy blocks of wood or even spare tires under the frame of the car near the flat tire. This slightly lifts the flat tire off the ground, reducing friction on the rim. However, this can be unstable and is not always feasible.
Important Note: If the tire is completely shredded or the rim is visibly damaged, it’s best to lift the entire wheel off the ground using a jack and then securing it with straps so it doesn’t rotate at all. This is more involved and often requires more specialized equipment.
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Communicate with the Driver of the Towed Vehicle:
If there’s someone in the car being towed, establish clear communication signals (hand gestures, honking). The driver of the towed vehicle should ideally keep the car in neutral (or the appropriate gear for towing, check your manual) and gently apply the brakes to maintain a slight tension on the tow strap, preventing jerking.
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Proceed Slowly and Carefully:
The driver of the towing vehicle should accelerate very slowly and smoothly. Avoid sudden starts or stops. Maintain a speed of no more than 5-10 mph (8-16 km/h).
The driver of the towed vehicle should steer and brake as needed, but remember their steering and braking might feel different or be less effective than usual.
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Monitor Continuously:
Keep a close eye on the flat tire and the connection points. If you hear any unusual noises or see any signs of damage, stop immediately.
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Reach Your Destination:
Once you reach your intended safe location (e.g., a driveway, a repair shop parking lot), carefully detach the tow strap.
When to Call a Professional Tow Truck
There are many situations where attempting to tow your car yourself, especially with flat tires, is simply not a good idea. Professional towing services are equipped to handle these scenarios safely and efficiently.
Situations Requiring Professional Towing:
- Long distances: Any distance beyond a few car lengths.
- High speeds: If you need to travel at normal road speeds.
- Damaged rims or tires: If the rim is bent, cracked, or the tire is completely shredded, it’s best to lift the wheel entirely.
- All-wheel drive (AWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles: Towing these vehicles with any wheels on the ground can cause severe drivetrain damage. They typically require a flatbed tow truck or a dolly.
- Steep inclines or declines: These can put immense strain on the tow strap and increase the risk of accidents.
- Busy roads or highways: It’s too dangerous to attempt self-towing in heavy traffic.
- Unfamiliarity or lack of confidence: If you’re not comfortable with the process or don’t have the right equipment, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
- Significant vehicle damage: If the flat tire is part of a larger accident or mechanical failure, professional assessment and towing are necessary.
Types of Professional Towing:
When you call for a tow, you might be asked about the type of tow you need. Here are the most common:
| Towing Type | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Flatbed Towing | Your vehicle is loaded entirely onto a flat, hydraulic platform. | All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles, vehicles with severe damage, classic cars, luxury vehicles, or any situation where you want to minimize stress on the vehicle. This is the safest option for towing with flat tires, as all wheels are lifted off the ground. |
| Hook and Chain Towing (Traditional Towing) | Your vehicle is towed using a hook and chain attached to the frame, with the front or rear wheels lifted off the ground. | Front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive vehicles for short distances. Not recommended for towing with flat tires if the lifted wheels are the ones that are flat, as the rim will still drag. |
| Wheel-Lift Towing | A metal yoke is placed under the front or rear wheels, lifting them off the ground. | Similar to hook and chain, but generally considered less damaging. Still not ideal if the lifted wheels are the ones with flats. |
For a car with flat tires, a flatbed tow truck is by far the safest and most recommended method. It ensures none of your wheels are in contact with the road, eliminating the risk of further damage.
What to Do Instead of Towing with Flat Tires
If you have a flat tire and aren’t in immediate danger, here are the better alternatives:
1. Change the Tire Yourself
This is often the most practical solution if you have a spare tire and the basic tools. Most cars come equipped with a spare tire (full-size or donut), a jack, and a lug wrench.
Steps to Change a Tire:
- Find a Safe Location: Pull over to a level, stable spot away from traffic.
- Gather Your Tools: Locate your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. They are usually in the trunk or under the vehicle.
- Loosen Lug Nuts: Before lifting the car, use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Turn them counter-clockwise. Just loosen them a half-turn to a full turn; don’t remove them yet. This is crucial because the weight of the car on the ground prevents the wheel from spinning as you loosen the nuts.
- Position the Jack: Consult your owner’s manual to find the correct jacking point for your vehicle. Placing the jack in the wrong spot can damage your car or cause the jack to slip.
- Lift the Vehicle: Raise the car with the jack until the flat tire is completely off the ground.
- Remove Lug Nuts and Flat Tire: Finish unscrewing the lug nuts by hand. Keep them together in a safe place (like your pocket or a hubcap). Pull the flat tire straight towards you to remove it.
- Mount the Spare Tire: Line up the spare tire with the wheel studs and push it onto the hub.
- Hand-Tighten Lug Nuts: Put the lug nuts back on and tighten them by hand as much as possible.
- Lower the Vehicle: Slowly lower the car with the jack until the spare tire is supporting the car’s weight.
- Fully Tighten Lug Nuts: Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts firmly. Tighten them in a star pattern (opposite nuts) to ensure the wheel is seated evenly.
- Stow Equipment: Put the flat tire, jack, and lug wrench back in their storage spots.
- Check Spare Tire Pressure: If you have a tire pressure gauge, check the spare’s pressure. Most spares require higher pressure than regular tires.
- Get Your Flat Tire Repaired/Replaced: Drive cautiously on the spare (especially a donut spare, which has speed and distance limitations) and get your original tire fixed or replaced as soon as possible. You can find information on tire maintenance and repair from organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
2. Use a Tire Sealant or Inflator Kit
Many modern cars, especially those without a spare tire, come with a tire sealant and inflator kit. This is a temporary fix designed to seal small punctures and reinflate the tire.
How to Use a Tire Sealant Kit:
- Locate the Kit: It’s usually in the trunk or a side compartment.
- Read Instructions: Always follow the specific instructions for your kit.
- Connect to Tire Valve: Connect the sealant canister to the tire’s valve stem.
- Inflate Tire: Use the attached compressor to inflate the tire to the recommended pressure.
- Drive Briefly: Drive the car for a few miles at a moderate speed to allow the sealant to distribute and seal the puncture.
- Check Pressure and Re-inflate: Stop and check the tire pressure. Re-inflate if necessary.
- Get Professional Help: Take the tire to a repair shop immediately. Sealant kits are temporary fixes and may not work on larger holes or sidewall damage. A professional can assess if the tire is repairable.
Important Note: Tire sealant can sometimes make permanent repairs more difficult or impossible, so inform the tire shop that you’ve used a sealant.
3. Call Roadside Assistance
If changing the tire yourself isn’t an option (no spare, don’t have the tools, or simply not comfortable), roadside assistance is your best bet.
- Membership Services: If you’re a member of AAA or a similar auto club, they can dispatch a tow truck to change your tire, tow your vehicle, or provide other assistance.
- Car Insurance: Many car insurance policies include roadside assistance coverage.
- Credit Card Benefits: Some credit cards offer roadside assistance as a perk.
- Vehicle Manufacturer Programs: Many car manufacturers offer roadside assistance for new vehicles.
Having these numbers handy or accessible on your phone can save you a lot of stress in a breakdown situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I tow my car with a flat tire for just a few feet?
Yes, you can tow a car with a flat tire for very short distances (a few feet) at extremely low speeds (walking pace) to move it out of immediate danger, like a busy traffic lane. However, even this can cause damage to the wheel rim and tire. It’s always best to avoid it if possible, and if you must, proceed with extreme caution.
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