What to Do When You Discover a Left Tire Leak While Driving?

[JeremiahMarie]

When you discover a left tire leak while driving, the solutions are: 1. Compare whether the tire pressure of the front and rear wheels on both sides is equal; 2. Submerge the tire in water to locate the leak and repair it; 3. If sharp objects like nails are embedded, remove the nail and replace it with the spare tire; 4. If there is no spare tire, drive slowly to the nearest auto repair shop for repairs. Tires are one of the essential components of a car, directly contacting the road surface and working with the car's suspension to mitigate impacts during driving. They ensure good ride comfort and smooth driving, maintain excellent adhesion between the wheels and the road, improve traction, braking, and off-road capability, and bear the weight of the car.

[VanJocelyn]

I just experienced this a few days ago—the steering wheel suddenly pulled to the left, and I broke out in a cold sweat. Immediately eased off the accelerator, gripped the wheel firmly with both hands to prevent it from shaking, and made sure not to slam on the brakes. Gradually coasted to the emergency lane and turned on the hazard lights. Remember, after stopping, don’t rush to get out—first, place the triangular warning sign 150 meters away. When changing the spare tire, always use the car’s jack at the designated position on the chassis to avoid damaging the vehicle. In most cases, a flat tire is caused by a nail puncture—you might manage to drive to a repair shop in the city, but if it’s a blowout on the highway, calling for roadside assistance is the safest option.

[VonMackenzie]

That day I was taking my kid to school when I suddenly felt something wrong with the left front wheel—the whole car was tilting left. I immediately signaled and moved to the outermost lane, slowing down to under 30 km/h to coast. At that moment, sharp steering would've been extremely dangerous, so I just lightly tapped the brakes. Once in a safe area, I first had my child sit on the right side of the back seat, then put on gloves to get to work. When changing the spare tire, always remember to tighten the bolts in a diagonal sequence, or the rim could warp. Finally, I drove to the auto repair shop for a check and found a rusty screw had punctured the sidewall—this kind of damage means you can only replace the tire.

[SanJosiah]

As someone who's been there, let me share a trick: When you notice a tire leak, first assess the steering wheel vibration intensity. If it's a minor leak, you can manage for about 10 kilometers by keeping your speed under 60 km/h. But if the tire pressure warning light flashes red or the steering wheel shakes violently, you must pull over immediately. I once ignored these signs and kept driving, only to grind the wheel rim until sparks flew, costing over 2000 in repairs. Now, I always keep an electric air pump in the trunk—it's much more convenient than changing a spare tire when dealing with low tire pressure, especially practical for women with less strength.