Quick Summary:
- Check sidewall markings like RSC, ROF or RunFlat before moving.
- Drive slowly, usually up to 50 miles at 50 mph maximum.
- Avoid stopping on bridges, tunnels, and busy expressway shoulders in NYC.
- Call roadside support, then photograph tyre, dash warnings, and surroundings.
A puncture in New York can feel urgent, especially in fast traffic or an unfamiliar neighbourhood. If your car hire vehicle is fitted with run-flat tyres, you may be able to keep driving for a limited distance on a deflated tyre. The key is knowing whether you actually have run-flats, understanding the typical distance and speed limits, and taking the right safety, call, and photo steps so you are protected from avoidable damage and disputed charges.
This guide focuses on practical decisions you may need to make in NYC: can you drive on, where is it unsafe to stop, and who to call first. It also explains how to document the situation clearly, because most disagreements after a puncture come from missing evidence and continuing to drive too far.
What run-flat tyres are, and why they matter for car hire
Run-flat tyres are designed with reinforced sidewalls (or an internal support ring on some systems) so the tyre can temporarily carry the vehicle’s weight after a loss of pressure. That can let you keep moving to a safer location or to a tyre shop without immediately changing a wheel at the roadside.
On a car hire vehicle in New York, run-flats are common on certain models, particularly some premium saloons and SUVs. They are not universal, and they are not a free pass to drive indefinitely. The car will handle differently, stopping distances can increase, and tyre damage can become irreversible if you exceed the tyre’s “mobility” limits.
How to spot run-flat tyres in two minutes
Do not assume. Confirm. Use these checks before you decide to continue driving.
1) Read the tyre sidewall. Look for wording such as “RunFlat”, “Run Flat”, “RFT”, “ROF”, “RSC” (common on BMW), “SSR” (Self Supporting Runflat), “ZP” (Zero Pressure), or “DSST”. Markings vary by brand, but there is usually a run-flat indicator close to the tyre size text.
2) Check for a spare wheel. Many run-flat equipped cars do not carry a full-size spare. Some have no spare at all, only a compressor kit. Absence of a spare does not prove you have run-flats, but it is a clue.
3) Look for a tyre pressure monitoring warning. Most run-flat setups rely on TPMS. If a warning light comes on, assume the system is detecting low pressure. Note what the dash says and photograph it before you drive far.
4) Review the vehicle info. If the glovebox pack includes tyre information, it may specify run-flat capability and the mobility limit. If you picked up at New York JFK or you are collecting via Newark EWR, ask at the desk which tyre type is fitted. It is worth knowing before you leave the airport.
Can you drive on a punctured run-flat in New York?
Often, yes, but only as a short, controlled journey to a safer place or service point. If the tyre has fully lost pressure, the goal is to reduce risk, not to “make it to your destination”. A run-flat can still fail if it is shredded, if you drive too fast, if you corner hard, or if you load the car heavily.
Typical limits: Many run-flat tyres quote up to 50 miles (around 80 km) at a maximum of 50 mph (around 80 km/h) when deflated. Some tyres specify less. Your vehicle manual or tyre manufacturer may differ, so treat these as upper limits, not targets.
Drive on only if: the car remains stable, you can keep speed low, there is no heavy vibration, and the tyre is not visibly coming apart. If you smell burning rubber, hear loud flapping, or the steering pulls strongly, stop as soon as it is safe and call for help.
Do not drive on if: the tyre has a sidewall tear, the wheel looks damaged, the tyre is off the rim, or you have been driving on it already for an unknown distance. Continuing can damage the wheel, suspension, and underbody, which can create additional costs.
Where it’s unsafe to stop in NYC, and what to do instead
In New York, the biggest immediate danger is stopping in a place where other drivers cannot react in time, or where you are exposed to high-speed traffic. You also need to avoid creating a secondary incident on narrow lanes.
Avoid stopping on: bridge spans and approaches, tunnel approaches, elevated roadways, and expressway shoulders with limited refuge space. The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, FDR Drive, the Cross Bronx Expressway, and approaches to the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels are examples where shoulder space can be minimal and traffic speed changes rapidly.
Avoid stopping in: active travel lanes, bus lanes, or areas with stopping restrictions where you could be struck or towed. Even if the tyre is flat, your personal safety comes first.
Safer alternatives: If the car is driveable on a run-flat, continue slowly to a well-lit service station, a car park, or a quieter side street with room to stand away from traffic. If you are near an airport, returning to the rental facility area may be safest. For example, some travellers will be closer to car hire at JFK or the Newark side via Enterprise at Newark EWR depending on their route.
If you must stop immediately: put on hazard lights, stay in the car with your seatbelt on if traffic is close and it is not safe to exit, and call roadside assistance or emergency services as appropriate. Only exit when you can do so safely, and keep passengers behind a barrier where possible.
Who do you call first for a puncture on a car hire vehicle?
The first call should normally be the number provided by the rental company for roadside assistance, not a random towing operator. The rental company can authorise the right service, advise whether run-flat driving is permitted for that vehicle, and record that you reported the incident promptly. That record matters if there are later questions about wheel damage or tyre replacement.
Use this call order:
1) Rental roadside assistance number. It should be on your rental agreement, key fob tag, or in the glovebox. Tell them your exact location, the warning lights you see, and whether the tyre appears deflated or damaged.
2) Police or emergency services if you are in danger. If you are stopped in a hazardous location and cannot move, prioritise safety and request help to manage traffic risk.
3) Your insurer or card benefits line (only after the rental is informed). If you have separate coverage, keep them in the loop, but do not delay notifying the rental provider.
Do not authorise repairs yourself without approval unless the rental provider instructs you to do so. Unauthorised repairs, even well-intended, are a common reason charges get disputed later.
The exact call-and-photo steps that protect you from extra charges
If you remember one section, make it this one. Clear evidence and prompt reporting reduce the risk of being blamed for additional damage.
Step 1: Pull over safely and set the scene. Hazards on. If you can, park with space around the affected wheel. Do not crawl along for miles on a shredded tyre just to find a perfect spot.
Step 2: Photograph the dashboard. Take a sharp photo of any TPMS warning, messages, and the odometer. If possible, also capture the time on your phone lock screen in the same shot style, or take an immediate follow-up photo so the timestamp is clear.
Step 3: Photograph the tyre and wheel from multiple angles. Get close-ups of the puncture area (if visible), the sidewall, and the wheel rim. Also take a wider shot showing the full wheel and a second wide shot showing the car’s position relative to the kerb or shoulder.
Step 4: Photograph the road hazard if present. If you can safely do so, take a picture of the object that caused the puncture, such as debris, a pothole edge, or a metal shard. Do not step into traffic to get it.
Step 5: Note the location precisely. Screenshot your map with the nearest cross-street, exit number, or landmark. “Somewhere in Manhattan” is not helpful. A precise location supports your report and can help if the car later needs recovery.
Step 6: Call roadside assistance and state you have run-flat tyres (if confirmed). Use simple language: “TPMS warning, rear right deflated, vehicle stable, run-flat marking on sidewall, currently at [location].” Ask what maximum speed and distance they authorise and where they want the car taken.
Step 7: Keep evidence of the call. Note the agent name, time, and any case or reference number. If you are instructed to drive to a facility, repeat back the route or destination to confirm.
Step 8: Do not keep driving once you reach the safe point. Park and wait for instructions. Extra miles on a deflated run-flat can turn a simple puncture into wheel and suspension damage.
Driving technique if you are told to continue on a run-flat
If roadside support confirms you can move the vehicle, drive as gently as possible. Keep speed low, avoid abrupt braking, and take corners slowly. Stay out of potholes, which are common in winter and early spring. Avoid sharp kerb impacts when parking, because a deflated tyre gives less protection to the wheel rim.
Also reduce load where possible. If you have heavy luggage, consider stopping in a safe car park and moving luggage to the cabin area evenly, but only if it is safe to do so. A heavily loaded tyre runs hotter and may fail sooner when deflated.
What happens next, repair, replacement, or swap vehicle?
Run-flat tyres are often replaced rather than repaired, especially if driven on while deflated. Even if the puncture is small, internal damage may make repair unsafe. Your rental provider will decide the next step based on tyre condition, availability, and your location. In some cases, you may be directed to a specific tyre partner. In other cases, the provider may swap the vehicle.
If you are in the Newark area and driving a larger vehicle, procedures can differ for vans and people carriers, because load and tyre availability vary. If your trip involved a van collection point such as van rental at Newark EWR, confirm the vehicle class when you call so they dispatch appropriate assistance.
Common mistakes that lead to extra costs
Assuming every car has run-flats. Driving a standard tyre on zero pressure can destroy the tyre and wheel quickly.
Driving too far “because it still moves”. Mobility limits are not comfort limits. Heat builds up and damage escalates.
Stopping in a dangerous location. A minor tyre issue can become a serious safety incident. If you can move a short distance to a safer refuge, do so cautiously.
Skipping documentation. Without photos of warnings, the tyre, and the location, it is harder to show you acted promptly and responsibly.
Authorising repairs without approval. Even a simple plug can be considered unauthorised. Always confirm with the rental provider first.
FAQ
How far can I drive on a punctured run-flat tyre in New York? Many run-flat tyres allow up to about 50 miles at up to 50 mph when deflated, but you should treat this as a maximum. Follow the rental provider’s instructions for your specific vehicle.
How do I know if my car hire has run-flat tyres? Check the tyre sidewall for markings like RunFlat, RFT, ROF, RSC, SSR, or ZP. Also look for a TPMS warning and whether the vehicle lacks a spare wheel, then confirm with the rental paperwork.
Is it safe to stop on an NYC expressway shoulder with a flat? Often it is not, because shoulders can be narrow and traffic fast. If the car is stable and you have run-flats, it can be safer to continue slowly to a well-lit, wider refuge, then call roadside assistance.
Who should I call first after a puncture in a rental car? Call the rental company’s roadside assistance number shown on your agreement or in the vehicle. They can authorise help and advise whether you may continue driving on the run-flat.
What photos should I take to avoid disputes or extra charges? Photograph the dashboard warnings and odometer, the affected tyre and wheel from close and wide angles, and a location shot showing cross-streets or an exit number. Keep the time, agent name, and any case reference from your call.
