In the busy streets of the UK, experiencing an unexpected road emergency on a rainy day can be very annoying for a car owner. It becomes more frustrating if the car owner has just experienced a tyre puncture late at night. This guide will explore various topics, like what the different types of tyre punctures are and share a few guidelines regarding what steps to take when the unwanted road exigency occurs.
What Is a Tyre Puncture?
A tyre puncture is a situation where air from the tyre leaks out through the hole created on the surface of the tyre. This hole can be created when sharp objects on the road get attached to the surface of the tyre. Therefore, within a few minutes, the car owner suffers from loss of tyre pressure and has a flat tyre which needs immediate attention. Punctures are broadly categorised into two groups: a slow puncture or a rapid puncture.
Slow Puncture
In some cases, the tyre of a car might have a puncture in it. However, the loss of tyre pressure happens over an extended period of time. They occur when the car’s tyres have small holes in their surface. Therefore, the car owner is not aware of the puncture, and the air from the tiny holes on the surface of the tyres is released very slowly. Slow punctures will take a few weeks before they are noticed by the car owner. The first signs come from the TPMS system as tyre pressure falls slowly when the car is parked in the parking lot.
Factors
- Slow punctures occur when sharp objects like broken glass bottle pieces or broken nails accidentally hit the surface of the tyre. Tiny holes are created, and the air slowly passes out over a period of time.
- If a car owner is rushing back home late at night and accidentally hits a kerb, or in a worst-case scenario, the car driver drives over a few potholes. Then, the wheel rim or the sidewall of the tyre might get damaged due to external forces.
Can It Be Repaired?
A slow puncture is repairable. But one has to understand what has caused it. If a slow puncture has been caused by the insertion of sharp objects, a skilled tyre technician will repair the tiny holes on the surface of the tyre. However, if the puncture has damaged the wheel, tyre sidewall or rim of the wheel. Then, the tyre technician will recommend a tyre replacement.
Rapid Puncture
A rapid puncture can be spotted quickly. The tyre pressure will fall immediately, and one can hear a hissing sound, which is the air coming out from the tyre. In a matter of a few minutes, the car cannot be driven.
Factors
- Large nails or broken glass, liquor bottles.
- Cuts in the tyre sidewall.
- Blowouts in the tyres due to extreme heat.
- Impact of the damage while driving over potholes.
- The tyre can have extensive wear.
- The vehicle may be overloaded.
Can It Be Repaired?
If one experiences a rapid puncture while driving on the road, one will need to call the nearest garage for immediate help. If one has suffered a rapid puncture in their tyres Bridgend, they should immediately call the nearest garage. The specialised technician from the garage will check the current condition of the tyre, the width of the damaged area, and the location where the rapid puncture has occurred.
Checking for a Puncture
- When you experience a puncture, the car might drift to a particular side.
- The steering wheel might shudder, especially if one is driving at a high-speed level.
- The car driver will hear a hissing sound. It is the sound of the air coming out of the tyre quickly.
Is It Safe to Drive with a Punctured Tyre?
The decision to continue driving will largely depend on the extensive nature of the puncture and the current location one is in. Many car owners carry a puncture repair kit, which is temporary in nature. One can use it and drive to the nearest garage. If a spare tyre is in the car, along with the equipment to change it. You must park in a safe location before changing the damaged tyre.
When Can a Puncture Not Be Repaired?
- The tyre tread depth is below 1.6 mm.
- The tyre has severe cracks or cuts on its surface.
- The casing has been damaged.
- The bead has been damaged.
- The punctured area has been contaminated by solvents.
Conclusion
When experiencing a tyre puncture, it is essential to be calm and patient. The brutal reality is that you have to find a solution, which could be using a temporary puncture repair kit on the punctured tyre, then driving to the nearest garage. One can also use a mobile tyre fitting service by calling the garage technician. In the end, ensure that the car is in a safe location and help will be a few minutes away.
