What to Do When a Car Tire Is Losing Air?
2 Answers
Reasons and solutions for car tire air leakage: Tire may have pinholes: Inflate the tire to proper pressure, use a soft brush and soapy water to locate the pinhole, then decide whether to replace or patch the tire based on the situation. Foreign objects puncturing the tire: This is the most common scenario. The most frequent objects that puncture tires are glass, wire, screws, sharp stones, tiles, nails, and screws. Nails and screws are most likely to cause air leakage, and if not removed promptly, they may worsen the damage to the tire. Damage to the tire sidewall or inner lining: Besides the tread being vulnerable to foreign objects, the sidewalls and inner edges of the tire are also weak spots. Some drivers with poor spatial awareness may frequently misoperate, causing the car tires to hit curbs, leading to damage over time.
As a novice driver, the first time I encountered a flat tire was on the highway. The car felt a bit floaty, which really scared me. I quickly pulled over to a safe spot by the roadside and turned on the hazard lights. After getting out to check, I saw the tire was flat and didn't know what to do. A friend taught me to take out the spare tire and jack from the trunk, use a wrench to loosen the bolts, then jack up the car to change the tire. But I wasn't very good with tools, so I had to call for a tow truck. Since then, I've been checking tire pressure regularly and bought a portable tire pressure gauge to keep in the car. Prevention is key—older cars with heavily worn tires are more prone to flats. It's important to learn some basic knowledge beforehand, so you don't panic like I did as a beginner. The crucial thing is to take it step by step, with safety as the top priority.
