What to Do When a Tire Gets Punctured?
3 Answers
Methods to handle a punctured tire: 1. If the tire is punctured but not losing air, it means the nail hasn't penetrated the tire completely or the nail is blocking the hole. In this case, temporarily there's no air leakage. Quickly replace it with the spare tire and take the punctured tire to a repair shop for inspection; 2. First, check if the punctured spot is leaking air. The mechanic will use a water-soaked brush to scrub the punctured area and observe if bubbles appear. No bubbles indicate the tire hasn't been fully penetrated; 3. If the tire is losing air rapidly due to a puncture while driving, immediately slow down, pull over to check, replace with the spare tire, and go to a repair shop as soon as possible for patching; 4. If you find the tire bolts difficult to loosen when trying to replace the punctured tire with the spare, this is due to thermal expansion and contraction. Depending on the severity of air leakage, if it's slow, inflate the tire fully and drive to the nearest repair shop as quickly as possible for the mechanic to remove the tire.
A few days ago, I got a nail in my tire while driving on the highway at a relatively high speed. My experience told me not to slam on the brakes, so I gradually slowed down and pulled over to the emergency lane, turning on the hazard lights to warn other drivers. After getting out, I saw the left front tire was mostly flat with a small nail sticking out. I didn’t rush to pull it out because the air wasn’t leaking too quickly. The spare tire and jack in the trunk were lifesavers—I first used the tools to lift the car, made sure it was securely positioned to prevent slipping, applied some force to remove the bolts, and then tightened the spare tire properly. Since the spare wasn’t a full-size tire, I drove carefully off the highway to a nearby repair shop where the mechanic fixed the puncture. Normally, I make a habit of checking the road for debris and maintaining proper tire pressure. If you get a puncture, never force the drive—damaging the rim can lead to costly repairs. Safety first—it’s better to lose a little time than risk an accident. Keeping an emergency kit in the car is a really useful habit.
When a tire is punctured by a foreign object, it's crucial to follow the steps to ensure safety. First, I slow down and pull over to a flat area, then turn on the hazard lights to alert others. After getting out of the car, I locate the puncture site—if there's a nail or piece of glass still embedded, I don't pull it out randomly as it can temporarily seal the air leak. I retrieve the spare tire and tools from the trunk, position the jack at the designated lifting point under the car to steadily raise the vehicle, and then use a wrench to remove the lug nuts and replace the tire. After installing the spare, I check the tire pressure and add air if needed, remembering that spare tires are for temporary use only and should not be driven at high speeds—keep it under 80 km/h. Once done, I drive to a professional repair shop as soon as possible where the technician will assess whether to patch or replace the tire. For routine maintenance, I recommend checking tire wear and pressure every six months, and keeping a small toolkit in the car can be very helpful. Addressing punctures promptly prevents rim damage, saving both money and hassle.
