Can you drive on the highway with a nail in your tire?
3 Answers
Tires with nails should not be driven on the highway. The sidewall of a tire is much thinner and less resistant to damage compared to the tread (crown) of the tire. If there is local damage on the sidewall surface, the inner layer loses protection and load-bearing capacity, which can easily cause a blowout during high-speed driving, posing a risk of serious accidents. According to tire usage specifications, if there is sidewall damage, the tire should be replaced. If the tread is punctured, since it is thicker and flatter, repairing it does not affect the tire's safety, and it can be driven on the highway. However, if the sidewall is punctured, due to its thinness (only two layers of cord fabric and rubber), even after repair, it affects the tire's safety and is not recommended for highway use. Such tires, even if repaired, should only be used for daily emergencies.
When there's a nail in the tire, as someone who enjoys driving for leisure, I absolutely don't recommend going on the highway. The speeds on highways are so high, and the rotational pressure on tires is intense. A nail can cause slow leaks or sudden blowouts, making the vehicle prone to losing control and skidding, with a high risk of accidents. Last time I noticed a small nail and didn't take it seriously, only to have a slow leak turn into a blowout halfway, nearly causing a major incident. The way to handle it is simple: don't pull out the nail to avoid rapid air loss; first, use soapy water or a pressure gauge to check the extent of the leak. If the leak is minor, drive at low speed to the nearest repair shop for a patch. If the leak is severe, change to the spare tire or call a tow truck. For prevention, clean your tires regularly when washing the car and check for surface debris. Safety first is far more important than saving time.
I have some experience in car repairs. If a tire gets punctured by a nail, you must never drive on the highway. High-speed driving causes tires to heat up and pressure to increase dramatically, which can easily enlarge the nail hole, leading to rapid air leakage or a blowout. This can cause the vehicle to lose balance and roll out of control. Our repair shop has handled similar cases where blowouts resulted in serious accidents. My advice is to slow down and pull over immediately if you notice a puncture; check if the tire pressure is stable; if the pressure is still okay, drive slowly to a repair shop; if not, change to the spare tire yourself. In daily driving, avoid gravel roads—prevention is always the best strategy.
