Just drove 6 miles on a flat tyre
Discussion
Really annoyed and worried! Just drive home on a B road on my way home from work. Heard an almighty bang and knew I’d hit a pot hole. No where really safe to stop so drive the rest of the journey home, approximately 6 miles. Although I didn’t realise the tyre was punctured, despite the almighty thud.
Anyway tyre is obliterated! Literally destroyed with several large holes in it. Space saver is in back of boot although I don’t even know if the wheel brace will work as last time I had another tyre changed the guy mentioned how tight the wheel nuts were- he struggled with equipment.
What’s the chances there’s damage to the actual wheel or axle? If so what kind of repair cost could we be talking about? Have I possibly got away with just a punctured tyre or some serious damage?
I’ve tried to have a look and can’t see anything obvious, bearing in mind it’s dark and raining.
Will the tyre centre be able to assess for damage?
Anyway tyre is obliterated! Literally destroyed with several large holes in it. Space saver is in back of boot although I don’t even know if the wheel brace will work as last time I had another tyre changed the guy mentioned how tight the wheel nuts were- he struggled with equipment.
What’s the chances there’s damage to the actual wheel or axle? If so what kind of repair cost could we be talking about? Have I possibly got away with just a punctured tyre or some serious damage?
I’ve tried to have a look and can’t see anything obvious, bearing in mind it’s dark and raining.
Will the tyre centre be able to assess for damage?
I’m kind of hoping that the fact I drive down a B road for about 6 miles means there’s nothing too much to worry about. I guess a damaged axle would mean you wouldn’t even be able to drive the car , steer it for example?
If the wheel is cracked , can I get a new wheel quickly?
If the wheel is cracked , can I get a new wheel quickly?
Edited by Rogerout on Tuesday 10th December 22:54
Has a space saver but not sure it has a jack or wheel brace. Hearst’s tyre centre is literally 1/4 a way , on an industrial estate that I live near. Can I change it and just drive very slowly there?
There’s a Kwik Fit even closer, but they can never see you there and then. Apparently Kwik Fit isn’t that quick.
There’s a Kwik Fit even closer, but they can never see you there and then. Apparently Kwik Fit isn’t that quick.
As others have said the tyre is only fit for the bin, but I'd want to get the wheel checked for damage before just getting a new tyre fitted.
It ought to be OK to drive to the tyre centre with the space-saver fitted then get it checked out. Most tyre places these days ought to be able to spot any damage to the wheel given the state of UK roads, and the desirability of monster wheels with rubber-band tyres!
I find it hard to imagine you didn't notice it driving differently though. Last time I had a puncture on a normal tyre I could see smoke coming off it in my door mirror when going around a roundabout, so I fitted the space-saver as soon as I found somewhere safe to do it!
My more recent cars have had run-flats so there is a warning light on the dashboard.
It ought to be OK to drive to the tyre centre with the space-saver fitted then get it checked out. Most tyre places these days ought to be able to spot any damage to the wheel given the state of UK roads, and the desirability of monster wheels with rubber-band tyres!
I find it hard to imagine you didn't notice it driving differently though. Last time I had a puncture on a normal tyre I could see smoke coming off it in my door mirror when going around a roundabout, so I fitted the space-saver as soon as I found somewhere safe to do it!
My more recent cars have had run-flats so there is a warning light on the dashboard.
Christ, who pissed on your chips today?
OP, when you take it to get a new tyre put on, ask them to check it over, but there's every chance it'll be OK. Putting it on the balancer without a tyre is an easy way to see any buckles or wobbles.
I doubt the suspension etc has suffered too badly, but just ask the garage to give it a once over while there got the wheel off.
OP, when you take it to get a new tyre put on, ask them to check it over, but there's every chance it'll be OK. Putting it on the balancer without a tyre is an easy way to see any buckles or wobbles.
I doubt the suspension etc has suffered too badly, but just ask the garage to give it a once over while there got the wheel off.
EmailAddress said:
If you can't recognise a tyre that is 'shot to bits', and has suffered catastrophic damage and deflation you shouldn't be driving.
If you hit potholes resulting in large noises without inspecting for damage, you shouldn't be driving.
If you do all the above, in the rain, and carry on driving...
Take some responsibility ffs.
Were you born this rude or did you take lessons?If you hit potholes resulting in large noises without inspecting for damage, you shouldn't be driving.
If you do all the above, in the rain, and carry on driving...
Take some responsibility ffs.
If you’ve blown a tyre out on a pothole that’s the end of your tyre regardless. You can either spend half hour faffing around changing your wheel for a spare getting soaking wet and perhaps endangering yourself ( if you actually have a spare), wait an hour plus for breakdown recovery or just drive on and get home and worry about it later. I’d go with the last one.
Rogerout said:
Not a case of not taking responsibility, obviously I can’t blame anyone but myself. I was asking people on a motoring forum if in their opinion there could be more damage done.
It's certainly not ideal that you were not aware the tyre was completely flat but modern cars aren't like the set ups of old where low tyre pressure on a wheel could be easily felt while driving quite slowly. Modern low profiles and harsh suspension actually make it rather difficult to tell in certain circumstances. Driving 5 miles and shredding the tyre would be something I would instruct my wife or daughters to do under certain circumstances.
I guess the actual issue in this regard is that you were not able to drive appropriately due to not knowing the tyre was flat.
That all aside, the tyre place can check the wheel is still round and for cracks so you should be reasonably well covered there if you have a tyre place that you believe isn't operated by morons or grifters.
Whether you have damaged any suspension components is a trickier one.
In the past I have asked my local MOT chappie to stick the car on the ramp and give it a good investigation and then paid the cost of an MOT. This was on a BMW that the manufacturer had insisted must look propa urban gangsta via the medium of being all wheel and no tyre.
After I hit a pothole earlier in the year the nearside front tyre had a large gash in it, the wheel had a damaged rim, the nearside tie rod ripped out of its front mounting and the lower suspension arm was bent. Speed was no more 40mph.
The puncture was immediately obvious, the sound of the flat tyre rotating gave it away. My car was a little older than the OP's though, 53 years older.
Had it not been for the suspension damage I would have changed the wheel and carried; not being able to find a place to stop in six miles to do so is stretching credulity.
The puncture was immediately obvious, the sound of the flat tyre rotating gave it away. My car was a little older than the OP's though, 53 years older.
Had it not been for the suspension damage I would have changed the wheel and carried; not being able to find a place to stop in six miles to do so is stretching credulity.
Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff