Tyre Losing Air Slowly? Common Causes of a Slow Puncture
A tyre that is fine one day and noticeably soft the next is the classic sign of a slow puncture. Unlike a blowout, it can go unnoticed for weeks, quietly affecting your handling, fuel economy, and safety. Here is what causes a slow puncture and what to do about it.
Common causes of a slow puncture
- A nail, screw, or shard of glass embedded in the tread
- A damaged or corroded valve that leaks air
- A poor seal between the tyre and the wheel rim
- Kerbing or pothole damage to the wheel or tyre bead
- Cracked or perished rubber on an older tyre
How to spot a slow puncture
The most obvious sign is one tyre that repeatedly reads lower than the others when you check pressures. You might also notice the car pulling gently to one side, a soft or vague feel through the steering, or your tyre pressure warning light coming on intermittently. A tyre that looks slightly flatter than its neighbours is worth investigating.
Can a slow puncture be repaired?
It depends where the damage is. A puncture in the central tread area, within the repairable zone and under a certain size, can often be safely repaired to British Standard. Damage to the sidewall or shoulder, or a tyre that has been driven on while flat, cannot be safely repaired and needs replacing.
Never rely on a tyre sealant as a permanent fix, it is only ever a temporary, get-you-home measure.
Do not ignore it
A slow puncture rarely fixes itself and usually gets worse, sometimes failing suddenly at speed. The safest approach is to have the tyre inspected promptly. A mobile fitter can come to your home or workplace, assess whether the tyre is repairable, and either repair it or fit a replacement on the spot, so a small problem never becomes a roadside emergency.
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