Should You Pull Out a Nail Puncturing Your Tire?
3 Answers
Tire punctured by a nail? Do not pull out the nail. Here are detailed explanations regarding tire punctures by nails: 1. Air Leakage: If the tire loses air rapidly after being punctured by a nail, it indicates that the nail has penetrated the tire. In this case, if a repair shop is nearby, you can first use a portable air pump to inflate the tire and then drive to the repair shop. If the tire is losing air very quickly, do not continue driving, as this can cause significant damage to the tire. Instead, replace it with the spare tire as soon as possible and drive to the repair shop for a safer solution. For run-flat tires, you can continue driving at a speed not exceeding 80 km/h for a limited distance before reaching the repair shop, but ensure the driving distance does not exceed 80 km. When repairing a nail-punctured tire at the shop, the best method is using a mushroom plug repair, which offers better durability and reduces the risk of secondary leaks. This method involves an additional heating process to fuse the plug with the tire for a more secure bond. 2. No Air Leakage: While driving normally, if you hear unusual noises from the tire, such as metallic sounds, it may indicate foreign objects like nails or other metal pieces stuck in the tire tread. Promptly check for such objects and also inspect the tire pressure to see if there’s any leakage. If you find a nail in the tire without noticeable air loss, do not remove the nail yourself. Instead, use saliva to check for air leakage at the puncture site. Since the tire is tubeless, it won’t lose air immediately after being punctured, but over time, slow leakage may occur.
Last time I had a nail in my tire, I was really anxious but resisted pulling it out. Removing a nail on the highway is extremely dangerous—it could cause instant deflation leading to a blowout, with serious consequences from losing control of the vehicle. Leaving the nail in actually acts as a plug; the tire usually won't lose all its air immediately, allowing you to drive slowly to a repair shop. I always teach my kids the same principle: safety first when driving—never risk it just to save a little time. Pull over immediately to check the tire pressure. If it can still hold, drive at low speed to a professional auto shop where mechanics can safely remove and patch the tire. Safety is priceless—never give in to the urge to pull it out yourself.
I've encountered nails in tires multiple times. From a cost perspective, it's best not to pull the nail out. Removing it enlarges the hole and causes rapid air loss, potentially requiring on-the-spot tire replacement or towing - both expensive options. Driving to a repair shop with the nail still in allows for a simple patch job costing just tens of yuan. I once saved big by leaving the nail in until reaching the shop for an easy fix; pulling it would have severely damaged the tire, forcing a replacement costing hundreds. Regular tire inspections can prevent such situations - developing good habits beats emergency repairs. Do the financial math wisely to avoid unnecessary burdens.
