A flat tire means the motorist must use the spare tire

In a motor vehicle, a flat tire occurs when a tire becomes deflated and the metal of the wheel comes in contact with the ground below (or ground level). This can occur for the following reasons [1]: Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... A flat tire means the motorist has to use the spare tire Dual sidemounted spare tires behind the front fenders on a 1931 Nash Ambassador Temporary use space-saver spare tire mounted in the trunk of a 1970 AMC AMX with a single use air tank canister Full size spare... For a table of tire companies, see List of tire companies. ... The force bearing on the axle has an eccentricity e with the point of contact to the rolling surface and exerts a moment about the contact point. ...

• The tread of the tire wears down, exposing a hole in the tire. This occurs through normal wear-and-tear, and may be expedited when various conditions are not optimal.
• A foreign object, such as a nail, pierces a hole in the tire, thereby letting out the air. Depending on the size of the hole, the tire may deflate slowly or rapidly. Some tires are flattened through acts of vandalism.
• A tire may be damaged in a collision with another vehicle or an object that causes the rubber of the tire to separate from the wheel, or that rips the tire to shreds.

A bicycle may also suffer a flat tire when the inner tube becomes deflated, damaged, or is worn. A pile of nails. ... Vandalism is the conspicuous defacement or destruction of a structure, a symbol or anything else that goes against the will of the owner/governing body. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Firestone tire A tire (US spelling) or tyre (UK spelling) is a roughly toroidal piece of (usually) rubber placed on a wheel to cushion it. ...

Flat tires account for about 10% of motor vehicle breakdowns [2]. A vehicle breakdown is a mechanical failure. ...

While some flattened tires, particularly those caused by a slow leak, can be restored and refilled with air, others, especially those from worn tread, must be completely replaced.

Vehicles are normally equipped with a kit necessary for changing a flat tire. These include a jack, a tire iron, and a spare tire. Jackscrews are integral to one of the simplest kinds of car jacks still used. ... This article or section needs to be wikified. ... A flat tire means the motorist has to use the spare tire Dual sidemounted spare tires behind the front fenders on a 1931 Nash Ambassador Temporary use space-saver spare tire mounted in the trunk of a 1970 AMC AMX with a single use air tank canister Full size spare...

Driving with a flat tire

When a flat tire occurs, it is best to slow down gradually and pull off the road in a safe place as soon as possible [3]. Continuing to drive after a tire becomes flat may be extremely hazardous. If there is any chance of patching a leak and restoring a tire, it will be diminished if the car continues to be driven. Continuing to drive may also cause damage to the wheel or other parts of the vehicle.

Driving with a flat tire, especially at higher speeds, may also be dangerous. Since controlling the vehicle becomes more difficult, this may result in a serious, potentially deadly accident.

External Links

• How to change a flat tire [4]
• Edmunds.com, changing a flat tire [5]