It’s a scary situation. You’re driving alone, and suddenly, you hear that dreaded thump-thump-thump sound. Luckily it might not have deflated. What should you do with the nail in tyre leave or remove while in the wilderness?
You pull over and discover that you’ve got a nail in your tire. What do you do now? First, don’t panic. Check the intensity of the nail. If the nail hasn’t gone past the treads, then it is safe to continue driving but not past 50km.
However, if the nail is large enough or in a location where it could damage other components of your car (for example, if it’s in the sidewall or tread area), you should remove the nail before driving any further.
Meanwhile, here is what to do if you encounter a nail in your tire.
Nail in Tyre Leave or Remove?
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Pullover as soon as possible, if possible.
If you can safely stop your vehicle and pull over, that’s always the best option. Pulling over will also give you time to assess the situation and ensure no other damage has occurred.
- Stop in a safe spot.
If you’re on the road, try to find a safe place where you can pull over or at least slowdown and coast until you reach one. If there isn’t room for this, consider driving slowly and carefully until you can find somewhere safe to stop.
- Check your spare tire.
If you don’t have one, call for roadside assistance or take your car to a local mechanic.
- Find the nail and remove it from the tire.
If there’s no way to remove it safely (if it’s embedded deep within the tread), call for roadside assistance or take your car to a local mechanic.
- Inflate the tire enough to get back home (or somewhere close).
Then remove whatever is causing the leak (nail, screw) before driving any further. This may require removing the wheel entirely if there’s no way to inflate the tire enough without doing so.
Read: Tire rotation pattern 4×4
Can You Drive With a Nail in Your Tire?
It depends on where the nail is located, how deep it goes into the tire, and the kind of damage it does to the casing. If the nail doesn’t go through the rubber, it shouldn’t cause any problems.
However, if it goes through both layers or causes damage to the casing, you should stop driving immediately because any action would worsen the condition.
If you find it hard to stop after noticing a puncture, never exceed 100km. Then consider taking your vehicle in for safety inspection as soon as possible after reaching your destination. This will allow mechanics to see if there are any other issues with your tires or wheels that weren’t visible at first glance; to prevent further damage.
The following are some signs that indicate you should pull over immediately after a nail puncture:
Read: Is it illegal to mix winter and summer tyres?
Your Car Is Vibrating
A nail or puncture in your tyre will lead to vibration in your steering wheel. So in case, you notice excessive vibration on your suspension system, be sure you are risking blowouts.
And the best way to avoid this problem is to pull over and have the tire replaced.
You Hear a Noise When Driving
It’s not unusual for a nail to cause a faint “thunk” sound when it hits the wheel. But if this noise continues or gets louder, pull over immediately and have it checked out.
The Air Pressure Is Low in One of Your Tires
This is usually a sign that you leak somewhere in the system, but it could also mean that there’s something stuck in one of the wheels. Check all four tires and see if they have low air pressure before deciding which ones need to be changed.
Avoiding Nail in Tire Nightmares
While the invention of tubeless tire systems has been hailed with enthusiasm, most drivers have had to deal with some flat tyre scenarios. What starts as a simple idea tends to snowball into an all-out catastrophic sequence of events.
So how can you avoid nail tire nightmares?
We asked some mechanics and auto body repair experts for tips on avoiding punctures as much as possible. Here’s what they said:
Check Your Tires Frequently
First and foremost, check your tires regularly for any signs of damage or weakness. If you see anything suspicious or abnormal, have it checked out immediately or replaced immediately if necessary.
This will help avoid potentially dangerous situations on the road that could cause an accident and put people at risk.
Take Care While Driving on Roads With Potholes
Always keep an eye out for signs of potholes on the road while driving; this will help you avoid hitting them accidentally at high speeds. Also, look out for areas where there are loose stones or gravel on the road; they indicate that there may be a pothole nearby – avoid them.
Look Before Driving Off-road
If you have time before leaving on your trip, take a moment to look over the treads of each tire from multiple angles – this way, you can spot any irregularities that might indicate there’s something embedded in them.
Replace Old Tires
Tires should be replaced every six years, depending on their quality and how well they have been maintained over time.
The rubber in these tires becomes weaker over time and more susceptible to tearing or puncturing from sharp objects like nails and small pieces of metal.
So, if you haven’t replaced your tires recently, now may be a good time!
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
One way to keep off nails is by regularly inflating your tires properly. Simply because if they are underinflated, they will be more susceptible to punctures. You should regularly check and maintain an equal pressure level on all the tires.
Emergency Roadside Kit
Make sure you have an emergency roadside kit in your car at all times! It should include jumper cables, flares, bottled water and snacks (just in case), a first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, and possibly even an ice scraper (if there’s snow on the ground).
But most importantly, it needs to include a spare tire and a tire plug kit!
Ultimately, the choice will be up to you. Do you want to get your tire patched for minimal financial expense and inconvenience? The choice is yours.
If you want to get your tire repaired at little cost and risk, removing the nail from the tire is a safe, efficient alternative that will leave you with a fully-functional and safe tire.
And then, if you’re in doubt of your ability to remove the nail yourself, leave it to an expert—they can take care of the issue efficiently and cost-effectively.