Is it OK to drive with a slow puncture?
Driving on a slow puncture for any longer than necessary is dangerous because that slow puncture is more likely to become a fully flat tyre the longer you keep using it. The usual culprit of a slow puncture will be debris that has pierced the rubber.
How do you detect a slow puncture?
How to spot a slow puncture
- Pulling- If you’re driving on a flat road and relax your grip on the steering wheel and notice the vehicle pulling to the left or the right, it’s a sign that the pressure is low in at least one of your tyres.
- Vibration- Another sign of a slow puncture is vibrations from your steering wheel.
Does a slow puncture mean a new tyre?
If the tyre has sidewall damage, either from hitting a pothole, kerb, or from having some debris from the road lodged in it, then you will also need a new tyre as its structure will have been affected. Slow punctures can, in some cases, be caused by a faulty tyre valve.
How long can you drive on a slow puncture for?
Because of the heat and friction the tyre is exposed to, manufacturers will usually state a maximum safe speed for run flat tyres, as well as a maximum range. For example, on Bridgestone Driveguard run flat tyres this is usually 50 miles at no more than 50 mph.
How do I know if my tires are deflating?
4 Signs Your Tire is Going Flat
- Worn Out Tread. You should always be aware of the condition of the tread on your tires.
- Excessive Vibration. If the steering wheel shakes, this is a clear sign that something could be wrong with the tires.
- Bulging or Blistering Spots.
- Low Pressure.
Can a slow puncture cause a blowout?
Yes, a slow puncture can cause a tyre blowout. Slow punctures can weaken the tyre sidewall, which will reduce the amount of control you have while driving. If the slow puncture causes a tyre blowout, this will result in a complete loss of control and can result in catastrophic circumstances.
How long does it take to repair a slow puncture?
Repairing a tire correctly will take about 30 minutes. This is due to having to take the tire off the car to inspect it properly.
How do you tell if run flat tire is punctured?
The first indication you have that your run flat tyre could be punctured is when your tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light comes on. Due to the tyres construction run flat tyres are not always easy to see if they are going flat.
Why would a tire go flat overnight?
What causes a tire to go flat overnight? The apparent reasons causing a flat tire in the morning include a small puncture, defective valve stem, leak around the tire bead, damaged rim, malfunctioning repair, and temperature changes.
What does low tire pressure feel like?
If the tire feels soft and squishy, the tire pressure is low. If the tire feels rock hard, meaning you are unable to push down on the tire at all, then it is overinflated. If the tire feels too low, pump some air into it while keeping your hand on it.
How to fix a punctured tire?
If you want to do it yourself, use tire sealants or a special plug kit. You will need a sealant, an air pump, and a pressure gauge. Insert the nose of the sealant into the puncture where the tire loses air slowly from, or the valve. Make sure you adjust it so that the sealant is pouring right on the inside surface of the tire.
How can you tell if a tyre puncture is slow?
Another visual clue could be odd wear to the sidewall. If a tyre is dirty and has low pressure, then the sidewall will be in contact with the tarmac, which will ‘scrub’ the tyre clean, giving a better visual clue to a slow puncture by creating a black sidewall that you can pick out clearly through the dirt.
What is a slow puncture and what does it mean?
It’s definitely worth knowing what to look out for if you have a slow puncture. As its name suggests, a slow puncture means your car’s tyre gradually loses pressure over time, which means you could end up driving lots of miles before you notice there’s a problem.
Can you drive with a punctured tyre?
If you catch a slow puncture early on, it may be possible to carefully drive the car for a short distance, as long as there’s still enough air in the tyre to keep it sufficiently inflated. However, because more air will leak out the more you drive the car, you should only do this if the journey is absolutely necessary.