TMZ caught a smiling Britney in the Valley last night — no pap-pal Adnan in sight — as she went to Long’s in Studio City around 7:00 PM. The smiles didn’t last long, though. Just minutes later, she pulled over on Sunset Blvd., where lensmen told her she had a flat tire.

Brit abandoned her Mercedes in the middle of the street (taking the keys with her), jumped in a paparazzo’s car and went home. LAPD towed the car to a nearby lot for safekeeping, Spears will be charged $104 for the tow and $35.60 for storage. Spears then brought her brand of crazy back to the Four Seasons — which is apparently letting her back in — but only stayed an hour before taking off for The Peninsula for the night.

• Britney Spears released from Hospital
• Britney Spears on 72-Hour Mental Lockdown
• Britney Spears has no more access to her cellphone
• Sam Lufti says Jamie Spears Assaulted him
• Britney Spears may switch recording labels