What to Do When a Nail Punctures the Sidewall of a Tire?
2 Answers
Tires with nails puncturing the sidewall need to be replaced. The rubber on the sidewall is thin and prone to blowouts from the damaged area, making it impossible to repair. Situations where tires cannot be repaired include: 1. The diameter of the puncture hole in the tread exceeds 6 millimeters; 2. Damage or deformation to the bead, tread deformation, rubber corroded by chemicals, or damage from running flat; 3. Tires with bulges. Tire maintenance methods: 1. Check if the tire has reached the wear indicator warning line; 2. Check the air pressure every two months, not just by visually assessing the sinking amount; 3. Regularly inspect the tire for any damage; 4. If the two front tires have been repaired, they should be promptly moved to the rear wheels, and stones in the tread grooves should be removed; 5. Avoid exposing tires to oil and chemical substances.
I've encountered situations where nails punctured the tire sidewall several times, and each time I had to stop immediately. The sidewall is very thin - once punctured, it's dangerous and can lead to major accidents while driving. Never try to tough it out. At that moment, I got out of the car to carefully inspect it. Small nails might be manageable, but if it's large, immediately turn on hazard lights and pull over. The spare tire in the car comes in handy - change to the spare and drive slowly to a repair shop. Mechanics often say sidewall damage usually can't be patched and requires a new tire. Safety first, especially since a blowout on highways can be fatal. I recommend regularly checking tires, maintaining proper pressure, and driving cautiously when there's roadside debris to avoid such troubles.
