Is It Safe to Drive on a Tire with a Slow Leak?

Everyone knows that you should never drive on a flat tire, but what about a tire with a slow leak? Technically it’s not flat, so it’s not a big deal, right? Wrong! Driving on a tire with a slow leak can actually be just as dangerous as driving on a flat tire. Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of slow leaks from an auto mechanic in Salt Lake City, UT.

Why is driving on a slow leak a bad idea?

As mentioned above, driving with a leak is never a good idea. Here are a couple of reasons why you should think twice about driving on a tire with a slow leak:

• Blowouts are more likely: A tire can blow out at any time for one reason or another, but a tire with a slow leak is much more likely to blow out than a new tire. That slow leak makes your tire structurally unsound, which significantly increases the likelihood that the tire will fail. Blowouts lead to major accidents and serious injuries. Have your tire patched up or replaced to avoid any problems on the road.
• Leaks can lead to greater damage: Driving on a slow leak might not seem like a big deal at first, but as time goes on, you’ll notice that you’re greatly damaging your wheel. Driving on a leaky tire can bend the wheel, which will eventually require expensive repairs. Save yourself from needing those repairs by replacing your tire as soon as possible.

How to check for a leak

The good news about slow leaks is that you don’t have to be an auto mechanic in Salt Lake City, UT to detect one! Finding out that you have a leak (and where it’s coming from) is fairly simple, no matter who you are. Here’s what to do:

• Listen for air: Do you hear a slight hissing noise coming from your tire? If so, it has a small hole somewhere in the rubber. The hole might be nearly impossible to see, but rest assured that it’s there. Fill your tire up with air at the nearest gas station and drive it to our shop to have the hole sealed.
• Feel for any air coming out: Knowing that you have a hole in your tire is a good start, but it’s much better to know exactly where the hole is located. Feel around your tire for any air blowing out. It might be hard to detect, but knowing exactly where the hole is will help us repair it faster.
• Buy a tire gauge: Using a tire gauge is the easiest way to determine that your tire has a slow leak. It’s not a bad idea to get in the habit of checking your tire pressure once a week or so. Bring your car to a mechanic if you notice that your tire pressure is consistently low.

Bring your car to an auto mechanic in Salt Lake City, UT at AMR Auto Repair & Towing as soon as you notice the signs of an air leak. We can either patch up the hole or set you up with a brand-new set of tires!

Categorised in: Mechanic

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