A tyre that looks slightly low on the drive can become a serious problem by the time you reach the school run, motorway or work. Tyres losing pressure are not always caused by a dramatic puncture. A slow leak can be just as disruptive, and it can leave you stranded when you least expect it.
The good news is that pressure loss usually has a cause that can be found and fixed. The key is not to keep topping the tyre up and hoping for the best. If a tyre repeatedly needs air, it needs checking properly.
Why are tyres losing pressure?
Tyres naturally lose a small amount of air over time. Changes in temperature can also affect the reading. Colder weather reduces tyre pressure, while warmer conditions can increase it, so a tyre may look low after a cold night without there being an immediate fault.
However, needing to inflate the same tyre every few days, or even every few weeks, is not normal. It points to a leak, damage or an issue around the wheel itself. Driving on an underinflated tyre creates more heat and flex in the sidewall, which can damage the tyre internally. It also affects braking, grip, fuel economy and steering response.
A puncture from a nail or screw
This is one of the most common causes of gradual pressure loss. A nail, screw or sharp piece of road debris can enter the tread and create a small leak. Sometimes the object stays in place, slowing the leak down. Remove it yourself and the tyre may lose air much faster.
If you spot something embedded in the tread, leave it there and arrange for a professional inspection. Whether the tyre can be repaired depends on where the damage is, the size of the hole and the condition of the tyre. Damage in the central tread area may be repairable. Damage close to the shoulder or in the sidewall usually means replacement is the safer option.
A damaged valve or valve core
The small valve where you connect the air line can leak too. A cracked rubber valve, damaged valve cap or faulty valve core may let air escape slowly without any obvious sign of a puncture.
This is often a straightforward repair, but it still needs attention. A valve issue can be easily missed if you only inspect the tread, which is why a proper tyre check looks at the whole wheel assembly.
A leak around the wheel rim
On older alloy wheels, corrosion can build up around the rim where the tyre seals against it. This can allow air to escape around the bead. Kerb damage can cause a similar issue, especially after a hard impact.
A rim leak may not be visible from the outside, and it can be intermittent. The tyre may hold pressure for a few days, then drop again. The wheel may need cleaning and resealing, although a badly bent or cracked wheel may require separate repair or replacement.
Damage from potholes or kerbs
Surrey and Sussex roads can be unforgiving, particularly after wet or cold weather. A sharp pothole impact can split a tyre, damage the inner structure, bend a wheel or disturb the seal between tyre and rim. Kerbing can also harm the sidewall, even if the visible mark looks minor.
Sidewall damage is not a repair job. If you see a cut, bulge, deep scrape or exposed cords, do not drive on it. A bulge means the tyre’s internal structure has weakened and it could fail without warning.
A tyre that has not sealed correctly
Following tyre fitting, a tyre should maintain its pressure. If it does not, the cause could be a valve issue, debris on the rim, corrosion or a sealing problem. It is worth getting it checked promptly rather than repeatedly adding air.
This does not automatically mean the tyre itself is faulty. The right inspection identifies whether the problem is in the tyre, valve or wheel, so you only pay for the work that is genuinely needed.
What to do when your tyres are losing pressure
First, check the pressure with a reliable gauge when the tyres are cold. Use the manufacturer’s recommended pressure for your vehicle, normally found inside the driver’s door frame, in the fuel filler flap or in the handbook. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tyre sidewall, as that is not the vehicle’s recommended setting.
Look closely at the tread, sidewalls and valve. Check for nails, screws, cuts, cracking, bulges and obvious kerb damage. If one tyre is noticeably lower than the others, inflate it to the correct level only if you need to move the vehicle to a safe place. Then monitor it. A pressure warning light should never be ignored simply because the car still feels driveable.
Avoid long journeys, high speeds and heavy loads when you suspect a leak. An underinflated tyre can deteriorate quickly, especially on a motorway. If the tyre is flat, the sidewall is damaged, or you cannot safely inflate it, stop driving and arrange assistance.
Can you drive with a slow puncture?
It depends on how quickly the tyre is losing air and the condition of the tyre, but caution is the right approach. A tyre that loses a small amount of pressure over several weeks may allow time to book an inspection. A tyre that drops significantly overnight, needs reinflating every day or triggers a warning light needs urgent attention.
Do not assume tyre sealant will solve the problem. Many modern vehicles have a sealant kit instead of a spare wheel, but sealant is intended as a temporary measure for certain tread punctures only. It will not repair sidewall damage, rim leaks, large holes or internal tyre damage. Using sealant can also make a later repair more complicated.
Run-flat tyres are another area where assumptions can be costly. They may allow limited driving after pressure loss, but only within the manufacturer’s distance and speed restrictions. The tyre must still be inspected afterwards. Driving beyond those limits can make it unsafe to repair.
When a mobile tyre service makes sense
A tyre problem rarely happens at a convenient time. You may be at home before work, parked at your workplace, stuck at the roadside or dealing with a light commercial vehicle that cannot afford to be off the road.
Mobile tyre fitting removes the need to drive on a suspect tyre or arrange a recovery to a garage. A technician can inspect the issue where the vehicle is, assess whether a repair is safe and fit a replacement tyre if required. It is particularly useful when locking wheel nuts are damaged, missing or seized, as the wheel cannot be removed safely without the right equipment.
For drivers in Leatherhead, Guildford, Horsham, Dorking, Reigate, Gatwick, Epsom and Redhill, Emergency Tyres 24/7 LTD brings the tyre shop to you. If the pressure loss has left your vehicle unsafe or immobile, CALL US NOW and let #EmergencyMike get you moving again.
How to reduce the risk of future pressure loss
Check tyre pressures at least once a month and before a long journey. Include the spare wheel if your vehicle has one. Check more often if you carry passengers, tools, equipment or heavier loads, as the correct pressure may differ.
Try not to mount kerbs, and slow down where potholes cannot be avoided. Give the tyres a quick visual check when washing the car or filling up. Catching a screw in the tread, a damaged valve or a developing sidewall issue early can prevent a stressful roadside call later.
Most importantly, treat repeated pressure loss as a warning rather than an inconvenience. A quick professional inspection now is far better than discovering a flat tyre when you are already late, loaded up or miles from home.
