A slow puncture can go unnoticed for days before causing problems. These are the five warning signs every driver should know about.
What Is a Slow Puncture?
A slow puncture is a gradual loss of tyre pressure caused by a small hole, a leaking valve, or minor damage to the tyre bead or rim. Unlike a sudden blowout, a slow puncture can take hours, days, or even weeks to fully deflate — but it is still dangerous. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tyre generates excessive heat, which can cause irreparable internal damage or a sudden failure at speed. The five warning signs below will help you identify a slow puncture before it becomes a serious problem.
1. Your car pulls to one side. If your car drifts to the left or right while driving on a straight road, one of your tyres may have significantly lower pressure than the others. A slow puncture on a front tyre is a common cause of this pulling sensation.
2. Your steering feels heavier than usual. Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, which can make the steering feel vague or heavy, particularly at low speeds or when parking.
More Warning Signs to Watch For
3. You notice the tyre looks visibly lower. If one tyre appears slightly flatter than the others when you walk around your car, check its pressure immediately. Even a 5-10 PSI drop can cause visible deflation on many tyre sizes.
4. Your TPMS warning light illuminates. If your car has a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, the warning light indicates at least one tyre has dropped significantly below its recommended pressure. Check all four tyres and look for the source of the pressure loss.
5. You are having to top up one tyre more than the others. If you notice one particular tyre consistently losing pressure over days or weeks while the others remain stable, that tyre almost certainly has a slow puncture. Call Just Mobile Tyres to have it inspected and repaired or replaced as appropriate.
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