Is it serious if a car wheel runs over a sharp stone?
4 Answers
If the car runs over a sharp stone at low speed, it is generally not a big problem. Tires are made of rubber and inherently have a certain elasticity, providing some cushioning ability when encountering sharp stones. However, if the car is traveling at high speed, the sharp stone may puncture the tire directly due to the effect of inertia, in which case the tire will need to be repaired or replaced. More details are as follows: 1. Daily driving precautions: During daily driving, try to avoid roads with small stones as much as possible. If small stones are unavoidable on the route, you can get out of the car and remove overly sharp stones. Remember not to drive over them quickly. When encountering large stones, slow down and pass them carefully. 2. Pay attention to tire maintenance: Regularly maintain your tires, checking the tire pressure at least once every two months when the tires are cold. Also, perform wheel alignment and balancing periodically. Develop good driving habits, such as avoiding sudden braking and sharp turns of the steering wheel.
The other day I accidentally ran over a sharp rock while driving and heard a loud 'clunk' sound, which gave me quite a scare. I immediately pulled over to inspect the tires and found a small cut on the sidewall. Had it been any deeper, it could have caused a blowout. I recommend everyone to carefully check their tires after running over rocks, especially looking for sidewall cracks. If you spot any, head to a repair shop for a tire replacement immediately. Ignoring such damage can lead to unstable tire pressure at high speeds, increasing the risk of losing control and causing an accident – this is literally a matter of life and death. Additionally, during regular maintenance, ask the technician to check tire wear and pressure. Identifying issues beforehand is far better than dealing with a blowout on the road. In short, safety is no trivial matter. Taking a quick glance at road obstacles before each drive can save you a lot of trouble.
As an experienced driver, I've encountered many similar situations. Running over sharp stones with your wheels can indeed cause problems, but it's not always serious. First, check if there are any obvious scratches or bulges on the tire surface. If there are minor damages, get them repaired promptly to prevent worsening. In case of a large tire rupture, you'll notice increased vibration and annoying noise while driving, which affects comfort. I remember once ignoring a sharp stone impact, only to spend over a thousand yuan replacing the tire after a long trip. Now I've developed the habit of slowing down and avoiding stone-heavy road sections. I even bought a pressure gauge to regularly check my tires, as maintaining standard tire pressure can prevent sudden failures. Paying attention to these small maintenance details brings greater peace of mind in daily life.
If the wheel runs over a sharp stone, my biggest concern is damage to the tire sidewall. That area is fragile and prone to punctures, leading to air leaks or blowouts. I usually check immediately after the incident for any abnormal deformations or hissing sounds. If there's no major issue, I might delay action temporarily, but I recommend visiting a professional shop as soon as possible. Delaying repairs could cause the wheel rim to deform and affect the suspension system, resulting in increased bumpiness while driving. Over time, repair costs could double. Developing a habit of regular tire maintenance is key—for example, clearing trapped stones and debris monthly to keep tires even. Small actions like these can extend tire life by 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers.
