Why Are Nails Always the Culprits of Flat Tires?
3 Answers
Rubber has a certain degree of tolerance. When the pointed tip of a nail comes into contact with a moving tire, the impact and load can cause the rubber to be instantly punctured. Many people don't pay attention to objects lying flat on the ground, and a small portion of them happen to have their sharp ends pointing upward. As soon as the wheel rolls over them, a puncture occurs. Some objects lie flat and aren't punctured by the front wheel, but due to the dynamic force of the vehicle's movement, they may flip to a sharp-up position just in time for the rear wheel to run over them. Below are relevant details: 1. Tire Material: The surface of a tire is made of rubber, which is not an absolutely rigid material. 2. Tire Load-Bearing: The weight of the vehicle and passengers is distributed across four tires, meaning each tire bears a significant load. Imagine a freely rolling tire passing over a nail with no load—it would be very difficult for the nail to puncture the tire. 3. Cause of Puncture: Rubber has a certain degree of tolerance. When the pointed tip of a nail comes into contact with a moving tire, the impact and load can cause the rubber to be instantly punctured.
Recently, I've been driving to and from work, and my tire got punctured by a screw again—so frustrating! Screw punctures are so common mainly because screws fall onto the ground too frequently. At construction sites and auto repair shops, workers often drop screws while operating tools, and they end up on the road after being blown by the wind or run over by wheels. These screws are sharp and hard, so when a tire rolls over them, they pierce right through, unlike glass fragments that might slide off. The chances of encountering screws are higher on urban streets with lots of construction. I remember last time on the highway, my tire slowly leaked air after being punctured, and it almost caused an accident. I’ve learned my lesson—now I always glance at my tires before driving and head to the repair shop immediately if I spot anything unusual. I recommend avoiding construction zones when possible or installing a tire pressure monitor for early warnings. Checking your tires is a daily must-do task.
After driving for so many years, screws are the most common cause of punctures. Why? There are too many places on the road where screws are dropped! Maintenance of machinery at construction sites or furniture moving trucks passing by can leave these little things behind. Screws are designed to be sharp, and their threaded parts can firmly lodge into the gaps of the tire, easily drilling in when pressed. Other objects like small stones or metal pieces might be bounced off by the tire or harder to penetrate. When driving in the city, I've noticed that road construction areas or parking lots are high-risk zones, with piles of screws lying around. For prevention, I make it a habit to regularly check the tire treads and avoid rough roads. Also, don’t drive too fast, as it makes it harder to avoid running over debris. Carrying a small air pump for emergencies can reduce risks. Timely tire replacement or repair is crucial—waiting until a major problem occurs is too late.
