Most drivers have been there; parked along the side of a road or parking lot trying to fix or replace a flat tyre. Although tyres manufactured today have an increased resistance to some causes of flats, they do still occur. Here are the most common reasons for a flat tyre:
- Improper inflation is actually the most common of all reasons. If you or your tyre specialist fail to make certain your new tyres are inflated properly when purchased, they may become unseated from the rim of the wheel and leak air. This is easily fixed by having the tyre re-seated by your tyre professional and re-inflated.
- Foreign objects are always an issue for tyres. Nails, bolts, broken bits of metal from older cars, and thick pieces of plastic and glass can puncture a tyre. If it is apparent a tyre is going flat, check for any foreign object along the tread and sidewall of the tyre.
- Leaky valve stems will allow air to slowly leave a tyre. If there are no obvious signs of puncture, check the integrity of the valve stem. A little dirt inside the valve stem can be the root cause of your problem.
- Regular driving on roads that are made up primarily of sharp gravels can cause the steel belts in the tyre to separate, and eventually a hole may form along the sidewall of the tyre. Look for any bulges in your tyres and see a tyre professional for an inspection if any are found.
- When checking the air pressure in your tyres, do so before driving and during the cool of the morning. Air pressure will routinely change as the tyres warm and the suggested pressure is what should be in the tyre when the air inside is “cold.”
- Tread separation is not as common as it was decades ago, but it is still a factor. As the tread leaves the tyre the underlying rubber is exposed to sharp objects. Frequent inspection of your tyres is necessary, such as during oil changes.
Although often overlooked, this one is fairly common in some areas; you have upset the neighbors or their children are playing a prank. Always try to fill the tyre with air to see if a leak can be found, especially if you live in an area where teenagers are known to cause some trouble. Your tyre issue may in fact be