Is it necessary to replace a tubeless tire if it gets punctured by a nail?
2 Answers
If a tubeless tire is punctured on the sidewall, it must be replaced. If the puncture is on the tread, it can be repaired. Structure and principle of tubeless tires: Tubeless tire structure: tire body, cord fabric, and outer tread. Principle: Utilizing the principle of inflation and expansion, the internal gas is sealed by the outer tire sealing pad and the outer edge structure of the wheel hub, with the outer tire also serving as the inner tube. The tubeless tire is sealed as one with the wheel rim, requiring high manufacturing precision, mostly using die-cast aluminum integrated wheel hubs, ensuring high positioning accuracy between tires and minimal radial runout of the wheel. Advantages of tubeless tires: Slow air leakage and high safety performance. Excellent heat dissipation, long service life. Reduced weight, lower fuel consumption, and fewer wheel hub components like lock rings, further reducing weight. Wear-resistant, suitable for long-distance high-speed driving, and improved driving comfort.
I've driven various vehicles, and punctures in tubeless tires caused by nails are quite common. It's not always necessary to replace the tire. The key factors are the nail's location and the size of the puncture. If it's in the central tread area and the hole is small, say within 5mm in diameter, it can be easily repaired with a patch or a plug for just a few dozen yuan. However, if the sidewall is damaged or the hole is too large, the repair won't provide sufficient strength, posing a risk of blowout at high speeds, making replacement mandatory. Remember not to pull out the nail yourself; keep it in place and drive to a professional tire shop for inspection—they have equipment to measure air leakage. Safety comes first. Repairing saves money and is eco-friendly. I recommend checking your tires monthly to prevent leaks.
