Should You Pull Out a Nail from Your Tire?
2 Answers
Do not immediately pull out a nail from your tire. Here are some relevant guidelines when dealing with a nail in your tire: 1. Stay where you are and either replace the tire with a spare or call for roadside assistance. 2. Remember, if the tire sidewall is punctured, it cannot be repaired—you must replace it with a spare or call for help. 3. Tire leaks can be categorized as rapid or slow, requiring different responses based on severity. 4. Rapid leak: Under no circumstances should you continue driving, as this can ruin the entire tire and poses extreme danger to the driver. Stop immediately and replace the tire with a spare. 5. Slow leak: You may drive slowly to a repair shop. However, avoid high speeds or long distances and monitor tire pressure constantly. It’s also advisable to carry a portable air pump in your car to maintain tire pressure until you reach a repair shop.
Don't rush to pull out a nail from your tire! With over a decade of driving experience, I've encountered this situation several times. If you pull it out, the nail might have been plugging the hole, and once removed, the air could leak rapidly, leaving you stranded with a flat tire—especially dangerous on highways where handling it becomes even harder. My advice is to leave it untouched initially, find a safe spot to park and check the tire pressure. If there's no noticeable air loss, you can carefully drive to the nearest repair shop for professional assistance. If it's leaking but still drivable, keep your speed under 40 mph and head straight for a tire repair. Attempting to remove it yourself risks enlarging the hole, which could mean costly tire replacement at best or serious accident risks at worst. Safety first—stay calm and act wisely.
