Can You Drive with a Slightly Leaky Tire?
3 Answers
Tires with minor leaks can still be driven if the air loss is slow and you don't have tire repair tools or an air pump on hand. In such cases, you can drive slowly to an auto repair shop for inspection. However, if the tire is severely leaking or has a visible puncture, it's essentially equivalent to a flat tire. At this point, you have two options: either change to the spare tire yourself or call for a tow truck. Continuing to drive is not advisable as it can excessively wear down the tire, leading to further damage. Moreover, severe air loss may cause the wheel rim to come into direct contact with hard surfaces like the road, potentially deforming the rim. Car tires are one of the essential components of a vehicle, directly interacting with the road surface. Together with the car's suspension system, they help absorb shocks during driving, ensuring a comfortable ride and smooth handling. They also maintain good traction between the wheels and the road.
When a tire is leaking, it's best not to continue driving. It feels like walking on a deflated ball that could go flat at any moment. Once, I pushed on in a hurry, and not only did the tire get completely ruined, but the rim also got bent. The repair cost was enough to buy two new tires. If there are few cars on the road, you might manage to limp along, but if a sudden blowout happens on the highway or a curve, the steering wheel will fight you. It's advisable to stop and check immediately. Even if you put on the spare tire, don't exceed 80 km/h and head straight to the repair shop. Regularly checking tire pressure can prevent most problems, and never ignore the tire pressure monitoring system's warning.
Driving with a leaking tire is too risky. A flat tire can cause the rim to directly grind against the road, and repairing it can cost ten times more than a simple patch. It depends on the leak rate: if it's a slow leak, you can drive at low speed to a repair shop within 500 meters, but you must turn on the hazard lights and keep the speed below 30 mph. If the leak is fast or you're on the highway, pull over immediately. I always keep an air pump in my car—if I notice low tire pressure, I inflate it as an emergency measure. If you don't have tools, use the spare tire, but remember not to use it for too long. Always slow down when driving over potholes or rough roads, as nails and stones can easily puncture the tire sidewall.
