Yes, you can tow a car with a flat tyre, but the safest method depends on the vehicle, the extent of the tyre damage, and whether the wheel or suspension has also been affected. In most cases, professional car towing using a flatbed tow truck is safer than driving or dragging a car on a completely flat tyre.
Key Takeaways
A car with a flat tyre can usually be towed, but it should not normally be driven on the completely flat tyre. Professional towing can help prevent additional tyre and wheel damage.
- Do not drive on a completely flat tyre unless there is a specific manufacturer-approved reason and the vehicle remains safe to operate.
- A flat tyre can cause additional sidewall, tread and rim damage if the vehicle continues moving on it.
- A flatbed tow truck is often the safest option when the tyre or wheel is severely damaged.
- Wheel-lift or dolly towing may be suitable for some vehicles, depending on their drivetrain and condition.
- AWD and 4WD vehicles may require specific towing procedures to avoid drivetrain damage.
- If you have a usable temporary spare, check the manufacturer’s speed and distance restrictions before driving.
- If the vehicle is stranded in a dangerous location, prioritise roadside safety rather than attempting to repair or move it in traffic.
- Auckland drivers can use professional flat tyre towing when a vehicle cannot be safely driven.
- A 24 hour towing Auckland service can provide recovery outside normal business hours.
- Before calling a tow truck, provide your exact location, vehicle type, tyre condition and whether the rim appears damaged.
What Is a Towing Service?
A towing service is a professional vehicle recovery service that safely transports a car or other vehicle when it cannot be driven safely. Towing companies use equipment such as flatbed tow trucks, wheel-lift systems and dollies to move vehicles after breakdowns, flat tyres, accidents or mechanical problems.
In Auckland, towing services can help drivers recover vehicles from roadsides, driveways, car parks and accident locations and transport them to a mechanic, tyre shop, home or another safe destination.
TL;DR: Can you tow a car with a flat tyre?
- Yes, a car with a flat tyre can usually be transported by a tow truck.
- Avoid driving on a completely flat tyre because the tyre, wheel and potentially other components can be damaged.
- A flatbed tow truck is often the safest option when the tyre is severely damaged, the rim is touching the road, or the vehicle cannot roll normally.
- A temporary spare may allow you to drive a short distance, but follow the vehicle and spare-tyre manufacturer’s instructions.
- If you are stranded in Auckland, a professional towing service can assess the situation and choose the appropriate recovery method.
NZTA recommends keeping vehicles safe to drive at all times and states that tyres must meet minimum safety requirements. The legal minimum tread depth for tyres in New Zealand is 1.5 mm, although a completely flat tyre presents a different and more immediate safety problem.
Is it safe to drive a car with a completely flat tyre?
Generally, no. Driving on a completely flat tyre can cause the tyre sidewall to collapse and rub against the road. Continued driving can damage the tyre internally and may also damage the wheel rim.
A flat tyre can also affect steering, braking and vehicle stability. NZTA advises that vehicles must remain safe to operate and that tyres and wheels should be in safe condition.
If you discover a flat tyre while driving in Auckland:
- Slow down gradually.
- Avoid sudden steering or braking.
- Move to a safe location away from traffic if possible.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- Check whether you have a usable spare tyre.
- If the vehicle cannot be safely driven, arrange flat tyre towing.
What damage can towing on a flat tyre cause?
The amount of damage depends on how the vehicle is moved.
Driving even a short distance on a completely flat tyre can potentially damage the tyre sidewall, wheel rim and, in severe cases, suspension or steering components. There isn’t a reliable universal distance at which damage begins because tyre construction, vehicle weight, speed, road surface and tyre pressure all affect the outcome.
If the tyre has come completely off the rim, the rim is visibly bent, or the wheel is contacting the road, don’t try to drive the vehicle to a garage.
A tow operator can inspect the situation and determine whether the vehicle can be loaded normally or needs specialist recovery equipment.
Should you tow or call roadside assistance instead?
It depends on what caused the flat tyre.
If the tyre has a simple puncture and the vehicle has a serviceable spare wheel, roadside assistance may be able to help you replace it. If the tyre cannot be repaired safely, there is no usable spare, or the wheel has been damaged, car towing may be the better option.
For example, call for a tow if:
- The tyre has significant sidewall damage.
- The wheel or rim is bent or cracked.
- The tyre has separated from the wheel.
- More than one tyre is flat.
- The vehicle has no usable spare.
- The car cannot roll safely.
- The vehicle is in an unsafe roadside position.
- You have an AWD, 4WD or specialist vehicle requiring particular recovery procedures.
Is a flatbed tow truck better for a flat tyre?
Often, yes.
A flatbed tow truck carries the vehicle on a platform, so the damaged tyre does not need to roll along the road. This can be particularly useful when the tyre, wheel or suspension is damaged.
A wheel-lift or dolly arrangement may also be suitable in some circumstances, depending on the vehicle and which wheels are affected. The tow operator should choose the equipment based on the vehicle’s drivetrain, condition and recovery requirements.
For AWD and 4WD vehicles, the correct recovery method is especially important because incorrectly towing them with some wheels on the road can potentially cause drivetrain problems. Always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s towing instructions.
Can a car tow another car with a flat tyre?
Technically, a disabled vehicle can be towed in New Zealand under specific conditions, but that doesn’t mean DIY towing is the safest choice for a modern car with a flat tyre.
NZTA states that when towing another vehicle, the connection must be safe and strong. NZTA guidance also specifies a maximum speed of 50 km/h when towing another vehicle with a rope or other non-rigid connection, while a rigid towing connection has a maximum of 90 km/h. These are maximum legal speeds, not recommendations to travel at those speeds.
For a roadside breakdown, using a professional car tow truck is generally safer than asking another driver to tow your vehicle with a rope.
What should you do before the tow truck arrives?
If you need flat tyre towing Auckland drivers can rely on, make the roadside situation as safe as possible while waiting.
- Move away from moving traffic if you can do so safely.
- Turn on your hazard lights to make the vehicle more visible.
- Don’t continue driving on the flat tyre simply to reach a garage.
- Tell the towing company your exact location.
- Explain which tyre is flat and whether the rim appears damaged.
- Tell the operator if the vehicle is AWD, 4WD, electric or modified.
- Remove loose valuables if it is safe to do so.
- Keep your keys available for the tow operator.
If you are searching for a tow truck near me, providing accurate information about the vehicle and its condition can help the operator send appropriate equipment.
Can a temporary spare tyre be used instead of towing?
Sometimes.
NZTA says space-saver wheels are intended for emergency use and are not designed for long-distance driving. If fitted, drivers should use them only to travel directly home or to a place where the flat tyre can be repaired or replaced, and should not exceed the speed shown on the spare tyre’s label.
Always follow the instructions printed on the temporary spare and in your vehicle owner’s manual.
What should Auckland drivers know about flat tyre towing?
Auckland traffic, motorways, busy urban roads and limited roadside space can make a tyre-related breakdown particularly stressful.
If your vehicle is stopped in a dangerous position, don’t attempt a complicated roadside repair just to avoid calling a tow truck. Your priority should be getting yourself and other road users into a safe situation.
A professional towing Auckland service can determine whether the vehicle needs a flatbed, wheel-lift or another suitable recovery method.
For urgent breakdowns, look for a provider offering 24 hour towing Auckland drivers can access when they need help outside normal business hours.
Need a tow now?
Got a flat tyre and don’t want to risk damaging your car? Quick Towing provides 24/7 towing and roadside assistance across Auckland. Tell us your location, vehicle type and tyre condition, and we’ll help determine the safest recovery option.
Call Quick Towing now: 020 4104 5670
FAQs About Towing a Car With a Flat Tyre
Can you drive on a flat tyre to a garage?
It is generally not advisable to drive on a completely flat tyre. Doing so can damage the tyre and wheel and may compromise vehicle control. If you have a temporary spare, follow its speed and distance restrictions instead.
How far can you tow a car with a flat tyre?
There is no universal maximum towing distance for a flat tyre. The appropriate method depends on the vehicle, tyre damage, drivetrain and towing equipment. A flatbed can transport the vehicle without requiring the damaged tyre to roll on the road.
Does towing damage rims?
Professional towing should not damage an undamaged rim when the correct equipment and loading method are used. However, a rim that has already been damaged by driving on a flat tyre may require inspection or replacement.
Is flatbed towing better than hook towing for flat tyres?
A flatbed is often preferable when the tyre or wheel is badly damaged because the vehicle is carried completely off the road. Wheel-lift or other methods may be suitable when the vehicle and recovery conditions allow it.
Can a tow truck near me help with a flat tyre?
Yes. A professional tow truck can recover a vehicle with a flat or damaged tyre and transport it to a tyre shop, mechanic, home or another suitable destination, depending on the service required.