How to Identify a Slow Leak on Your Tyres

When maintaining our cars we often focus on the more obvious issues, like engine troubles and brake problems. However, one sneaky issue often goes unnoticed until it becomes a major inconvenience and potentially damages your car: slow leaks in your tyres.
Gas & Tyre is here to explain what slow leaks are, what causes them, how to identify them on your tyres, and provide solutions with our puncture repair services.

What Is a Slow Leak?

A slow leak occurs when air escapes from the tyre at a gradual rate. Unlike sudden blowouts or flat tyres, slow leaks can be challenging to detect and easy to overlook. These leaks can lead to underinflated tyres, affecting your vehicle's performance, fuel efficiency, and safety.

What Causes a Slow Leak?

Understanding the causes of slow leaks can help you identify and prevent leaks on your tyres:

• Puncture or Penetration: Common culprits include nails, screws, sharp debris, or small stones that become embedded in the tyre's tread.
• Damaged Valve Stems: This is the opening used to inflate your tyres, which can corrode or sustain damage over time, leading to slow air loss when the stem doesn’t seal correctly.
• Tyre Bead Seal Issues: Damaged sealing between the tyre and rim can result in air slowly escaping from the tyre.
• Age and Wear: As tyres age the rubber deteriorates, making them more vulnerable to slow leaks. Wear and tear from rough roads or potholes can weaken your tyres - and we’ve got plenty of potholes on our Northland roads!
• Temperature Changes: Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause the air inside tyres to expand and contract, potentially leading to slow leaks, especially in tyres with existing vulnerabilities.‍

How to Identify a Slow Leak

Spotting a slow leak early can save you from inconvenience and potential damage, but it’s easy to miss. Here’s some tips to help you identify one during your next tyre check:

• Listen to your Tyre: One of the simplest ways to identify an air leak is by listening closely to your tyre - the hissing sound of air escaping will be more audible as you get closer to the leak's location.
• Frequent Tyre Inflation: If you frequently need to add air to your tyres, it's a clear indicator of a slow leak. Monitor tyre pressure regularly and take note of significant drops.
• Visual Inspection: Carefully inspect your tyres for visible objects embedded in the tread, such as nails, screws, or glass shards. Remove any foreign objects you find.
• Soapy Water Test: Create a soapy water solution with dish soap and water and apply it to the tyre's surface. Bubbles indicate air escaping from the tyre, so look for bubbles forming near the tread, valve stem, or bead area. 
• Loss of Fuel Efficiency: Keep an eye on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. A drop in litres per 100 kilometres can be a subtle sign of underinflated tyres caused by a slow leak.
• Uneven Tyre Wear: Inspect your tyres for signs of uneven wear. A tyre with a slow leak can wear more on one side, affecting its performance and lifespan.

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If you've identified a slow leak in your tyre, take it off and get it repaired immediately. Repair options include fixing the tyre, rim, or valve stem, but keep in mind that not all tyre and wheel damage is repairable. Visit your nearest Northland Gas & Tyre for professional diagnosis and repair. Our team of experts will accurately identify the air leak's source and provide a lasting solution for your peace of mind on the road.

Drive with peace of mind and don't let slow leaks compromise your safety on the road. Gas & Tyre's puncture repair services are designed to address this sneaky issue and get you back on the road with confidence. We're not just fixing tyres; we're keeping you and your vehicle safe.

Contact Gas & Tyre and know your tyres are in expert hands!

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