How long does it take for a tire to go flat after being punctured by a nail?
1 Answers
Different tires have varying thicknesses. The tread (crown) is approximately 16mm thick, while off-road tires are even thicker. The sidewall thickness is around 6mm, and the bead (toe area) is about 12mm. From this, it's clear that the tread is the thickest part of the tire, while the sidewall is the most vulnerable. When a tire gets punctured by a nail, owners can roughly assess whether it's penetrated based on these thickness measurements. If you discover a nail in your tire, do not remove it immediately. Leaving the nail in might prevent air leakage, whereas pulling it out could cause rapid deflation, potentially leaving you stranded before reaching a repair shop. Additional relevant information: 1. If this happens while driving, you can make a judgment based on the aforementioned thickness measurements. If the tire pressure remains relatively stable, the nail is vertically embedded in the tread and firmly lodged, and the nail is small, you can continue driving to a repair shop—provided you're not on a highway or in heavy traffic. 2. If the tire is already flat, call for roadside assistance from a 4S shop to have professionals perform a tire repair or replace it with a spare. Do not continue driving, as it poses significant safety risks! 3. In case of a blowout caused by a nail puncture, the foremost and absolute priority is to maintain control of the steering wheel. Especially on highways, a blowout can cause the vehicle to veer. Panicking will only worsen the situation, so keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel is essential for survival during a high-speed blowout.
