Can I Continue Driving with a Nail in the Tire?
2 Answers
Tire punctured by a nail can still be driven on, but it is not recommended for long-distance or high-speed driving. Since the length of the nail is uncertain, it is unclear whether it will cause air leakage. Therefore, potential hazards should be eliminated first. Methods to protect tires are as follows: 1. Pay attention to tire pressure: Both overinflation and underinflation can cause abnormal tire wear and shorten the tire's lifespan. During the harsh winter and summer seasons, tire pressure should be adjusted regularly based on the recommendations of maintenance service stations. 2. Avoid sudden acceleration: Avoid sudden acceleration during daily driving. Starting the car abruptly from a stationary state causes intense friction between the tires and the road surface, accelerating tread wear. 3. Reduce sudden braking: Sudden braking behavior can exacerbate localized tread wear and easily lead to tire bulging or delamination. It is advisable to use coasting to slow down more often and minimize the use of brakes, especially emergency braking. 4. Drive at a steady speed: Maintain an appropriate speed and drive steadily to avoid or minimize the use of emergency braking, thereby reducing tire wear. When stopping during a trip or at a station, develop the habit of safely coasting to a stop.
Can I keep driving with a nail in my tire? I've been in this business for over a decade and often deal with this situation. If the nail is still embedded in the tread, it might just cause a slow leak rather than an immediate blowout. However, driving with the nail can enlarge the hole as it rubs against the road, and if the tire pressure monitoring system alerts you, it's dangerous. My advice is to stop and check first: press the tire by hand to see if it feels soft, or spray soapy water near the nail—bubbles indicate a leak. If the tire pressure is stable, you can drive slowly to a repair shop in the city, keeping it under 50 km/h, and avoid highways. The best option is to switch to the spare tire—no spare? Keep an emergency tire repair kit with sealing strips to temporarily plug the hole for short distances. Regularly check tread depth and tire pressure every three months to avoid trouble. Ignoring small tire issues increases the risk of blowouts at high speeds—safety first is the golden rule.
