Causes of Tyre Punctures and How to Prevent Them
Tyre punctures are one of the most common car troubles faced by drivers. They not only cause delays but can prove to be dangerous if they occur while the vehicle is at high speed.
In this blog, we explain to you the causes of tyre punctures and offer tips to prevent tyre puncture.
Tyre Punctures
A tyre puncture happens when a sharp object, rough surface, or other damaging object pierces through the tyre, which causes air to leak. Depending on the severity of damage, it can result in a slow leak or a sudden blowout. Many punctures can be easily repaired, but frequent or serious tyre damage can reduce tyre life and compromise on vehicle safety. To fix the puncture, a repair can be done on the inner liner of the tyre to seal the puncture so as to prevent air from escaping.
So, keep reading to understand the causes and learn how to prevent tyre punctures and prevent unexpected breakdowns.
Causes of Tyre Punctures
1. Sharp Objects on the Road
Sharp objects pierce through the tyre tread, nails, screws, broken glass, and metal shards are among the most common reasons for tyres getting punctured. You may not realise but even something as small as stones can get stuck into the tyre tread, leading to punctures. Also, driving at fast speed over rugged surfaces increases the chance of sharp objects puncturing the tyre or causing sidewall damage.
2. Poor Road Conditions
Remember when you were learning to drive you were taught to drive on even and safe roads, well turns out it is safe both for you and your tyres.
Potholes, uneven roads, gravel, debris scattered on highways increases the risk of punctures.
3. Overinflated or Underinflated Tyres
Under-inflated tyres become too soft and have to excessively flex as you drive. Thus making them more vulnerable to punctures, especially when driven over rough roads. On the other hand, overinflated tyres become hard and rigid, and hence they lose their flexibility to absorb shocks from the road. So they are more prone to punctures when coming in contact with sharp objects or rough surfaces because there’s less give in the tyre causing punctures.
4. Worn-out Tyre Tread
The tread is the part of the tyre that makes contact with the surface of the road. Well, tyres also have a life, they naturally wear down over time due to friction with the road surface and so as the tread becomes thin after excessive use, the tyre’s ability to protect itself from sharp objects decreases. So, tyres with shallow or uneven tread are more vulnerable to punctures since they lack the necessary grip and cushioning to protect against road hazards.
5. Valve Stem Damage
A tyre valve stem is a physical pathway for air to enter and exit a tyre.
It is the small, usually rubber or metal, tube that protrudes from a tyre and provides access for inflating or deflating it. Even if your tyre looks perfectly fine, a damaged or loose valve stem can lead to a slow leak.
6. Improper Wheel Alignment
Misaligned wheels don’t distribute pressure evenly across the tyre, causing irregular wear. Misaligned wheels increase the friction on one side of the tyre, creating weak spots which
are more susceptible to sharp objects on the road.
7. Tyre Age:
Older tyres are more likely to have punctures that are due to the degradation of rubber compounds over the years. Therefore, older car tyres should be replaced timely.
What to Do If You Get a Tyre Puncture?
If you find yourself with a flat tyre, here’s what you should do:
1. Pull Over Safely and Turn On Hazard Lights
Do not panic and pull over your car away from traffic. Next, turn on your hazard lights to signal other drivers that you’re experiencing a car issue.
2. Assess the Damage
If you have the required tools and knowledge, you may be able to change the tyre yourself. However, if you don’t know how to fix it then it’s better to get help from a roadside assistance company.
Most cars today do not need a complete dismounting of tyre to fix a puncture because they have tubeless tyres which give you the advantage of limited drivability even in case of punctures. A tyre inflator plugs into your car’s socket and pumps air into the deflated tyre to make it drivable for limited distances, which makes it easier to reach a tyre repair shop and get the tyre fixed.
3. Call for Roadside Assistance
You must call any 24×7 roadside assistance service, the trained mechanic will reach your location, assess the damage and get it fixed without you having to panic.
Prevent Tyre Puncture
You can adopt a few smart habits that can prevent tyre puncture !
1. Regularly Check Tyre Pressure
You have to maintain the manufacturer-recommended tyre pressure. This is going to help the tyres wear evenly thus reducing vulnerability to sharp objects and road damage.
2. Inspect Tyres Often
Well, early detection can prevent a minor issue from turning into a major problem. If you look for visible signs like cracks, embedded objects, or uneven tread wear you can prevent tyre damage.
3. Avoid Road Edges and Construction Zones
Don’t drive on the road where nails, screws, and debris often accumulate. And let us tell you that construction zones are hotspots for tyre hazards, so either completely avoid or drive slowly and with caution in such areas.
4. Don’t Overload Vehicle
Excess weight increases the stress on tyres, making them more likely to burst or get punctured.Follow the load limit mentioned in the vehicle manual. Overloaded vehicles increase the pressure on the tyre’s contact patch with the road, making them more likely to suffer a puncture.
5. Rotate Tyres Regularly
Rotating tyres ensures even wear and tear, which in turn reduces the risk of puncture.
6. Install Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)
Modern vehicles often come equipped with TPMS. If yours doesn’t have one, consider installing an aftermarket system.Because it alerts you in real-time if pressure drops due to a puncture or leak.
7. Maintain the Correct Tyre Pressure
We just explained how over or under inflated tyres cause punctures, so ensuring that tyres are properly inflated is one good way to prevent punctures. So check tyre pressure regularly, especially before long trips.
8. Replace Tyres When Needed
Don’t wait until your tyres become completely bald to replace them. As the tread wears down, tyres become more likely to be damaged. Replace your tyres when you notice significant wear.
Tyre Damage Prevention
Here are some long-term tyre damage prevention strategies to increase your tyre’s lifespan:
1.Choosing Quality Tyres
Quality matters! Always invest in high-quality tyres from trusted brands. We know they may cost you more initially, but trust us they offer better durability, grip, and resistance to punctures. Choose tyres that are designed for the type of driving you do, such as highway or off-road driving. It’s also worth considering purchasing run-flat tyres that can be driven for a limited distance after a puncture.
2.Store Your Vehicle Properly
If you’re not driving your vehicle for a long period, then keep it in a garage or use tyre covers. Because exposure to direct sunlight and weather elements tend to degrade rubber over time. Excessive heat can weaken tyre rubber over time, making it more prone to punctures. So driving in extremely hot conditions or parking your vehicle for extended periods in direct sunlight leads to tyre degradation. The heat causes the air inside the tyre to expand, increasing pressure and making it more likely to burst or suffer from a puncture.
3.Use Run-Flat Tyres or Tyre Sealants
Run-flat tyres allow you to drive a short distance even after a puncture, giving you time to reach a repair shop. Similarly, tyre sealants can temporarily plug small punctures and slow leaks.
4.Get Wheel Alignment and Balancing Done Periodically
Improper alignment and imbalance can cause uneven wear, leading to weak spots prone to punctures.
Final Thoughts
While tyre punctures can not be completely avoided, yet by adopting prevention measures you can reduce their frequency. By understanding the causes of tyre punctures, adopting smart habits to prevent tyre puncture, and following good tyre damage prevention practices, you can ensure longer-lasting tyres and fewer roadside troubles.
Car Care Assistance provides round-the-clock support which ensures you’re never stranded in times of need, with real-time breakdown assistance available at your fingertips. You can rely on us to get the punctured tyre fixed quickly!
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FAQ's
Tyres can get punctured by sharp things like nails, glass, or stones, bad roads, wrong tyre pressure, or worn-out tyres.
Check tyre pressure regularly, avoid rough roads, don’t overload your car, and change old or damaged tyres on time.
Stop safely, turn on hazard lights, check the tyre, and call roadside help if needed. If your tyre is tubeless, you might use an inflator to drive to a repair shop.
Yes. Too much or too little air in your tyres makes them easier to damage and get punctured.
Not always, but you can lower the risk by taking good care of your tyres and driving carefully.
