Is it serious if a car tire is punctured very deeply but not leaking air?
2 Answers
A car tire that is punctured very deeply but not leaking air should be checked as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary trouble. Tire Cold Patching: Cold patching involves removing the damaged tire, locating the puncture, cleaning the affected area, and applying a specialized tire repair patch to seal the leak. This method is similar to patching a bicycle tire but requires specialized tire removal equipment and repair patches. The advantage is that it can repair larger punctures, but the downside is that it is less durable. Tire Hot Patching: Hot patching, commonly known as vulcanizing, is a more thorough tire repair method. It also involves removing the tire and applying a specialized uncured rubber patch to the puncture. A heating machine is then used to bond the patch to the tire until it fully adheres. The benefit of hot patching is its durability, as there is little concern about the puncture leaking again. However, the downside is that it requires higher technical skill and takes more time.
A tire being punctured deeply but not leaking air is actually quite serious. I've seen many similar cases where no visible leak doesn't mean it's safe. Tires are composed of multiple layers including tread, internal cords, and an airtight layer. If the nail penetrated deeply, it may have damaged the internal cords, creating weak spots or loosening. During normal driving, tires endure high pressure and temperature changes, which over time can lead to bulges or blowouts - especially dangerous on highways. Just last week my neighbor's car had this issue - the tire suddenly went flat after a few days of driving, nearly causing an accident. I recommend stopping immediately to inspect it. Don't risk driving to a repair shop; it's better to call a tow truck or change to the spare tire yourself. Remember to perform annual tire maintenance checking for foreign objects - this prevents many major issues. Bottom line: safety first! Don't cut corners to save money or effort - get it professionally inspected at a specialty shop!
