Tyre Puncture – Causes & Solutions

Table of Contents

  1. What is a tyre puncture?
  2. How to know if a tyre is punctured?
  3. What causes car tyre punctures?
  4. Can punctured tyre be fixed?
  5. Is it possible to drive a car with punctured tyre?

What is a tyre puncture?

Tyre puncture refers to a small hole in the tyre that happened due to a sharp object, usually from screws or nails, and it is typical damage to tyres as we don’t see what the tiny object on the road are.

How to know if a tyre is punctured?

1. Loss of Pressure

The most obvious sign is a noticeable loss of air pressure. If your tyre looks visibly deflated or your car’s tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) alerts you, it’s a likely sign of a puncture.

2. Hissing Sound

If you hear a continuous hissing sound from your tyre, it might be due to air escaping through a puncture.

3. Vibration or Thumping

You may feel unusual vibrations or thumping noise when driving, especially if the puncture causes the tyre to deform.

4. Difficulty in Steering

A punctured tyre can affect your vehicle’s handling, making it harder to steer or causing it to pull to one side.

5. Visible Damage

Inspect your tyres for any visible cuts, punctures, or embedded objects like nails, screws, or glass.

6. Poor Fuel Economy

A sudden drop in fuel efficiency can be a subtle sign, as underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance. 

7. Changes in Ride Comfort

If the ride feels bumpier or less smooth than usual, it could be because a tyre is losing air. 

What causes car tyre punctures?

A variety of factors can cause tyre punctures,  

1. Sharp Objects

These objects can easily pierce through the tyre tread, such as nails, screws, glass, rocks and debris.

2. Road Hazard

Scrapping or hitting a curb, pothole, or sidewalk can cause the tyre to puncture and even blow out.  

3. Tyre Condition

Due to reduced protection, tyres with worn-out tread, underinflation, or age are more prone to punctures. This also increases flexibility and brittleness.

Can punctured tyre be fixed?

Tyre punctures can typically be fixed. However, in Malaysia, we call this “cacing tayar,” and it needs to be done by a professional.

But in other circumstances, tyre puncture can’t be repaired as the damage is enormous. You will need to replace your tyre for a better driving experience.

Is it possible to drive a car with punctured tyre?

No, it is advisable not to. Driving a vehicle with a punctured tyre is dangerous and can damage your vehicle further, costing a lot of money.

Also, driving a car with a punctured tyre can affect your ability to steer and control the vehicle, especially at higher speeds.