Signs of a Slow Puncture and How to Find It
A slow puncture is a small leak that lets air out gradually, over hours or days, instead of all at once. It is easy to miss until the tyre looks low or the TPMS warning light comes on.
Common signs
- One tyre needs topping up more often than the others
- The tyre pressure warning light keeps returning
- The tyre looks slightly flatter than the others in the morning
- The steering pulls to one side or feels vague
- Higher fuel use or increased road noise
Where the leak is usually found
The most common causes are a nail or screw in the tread, a leaking valve, a corroded wheel rim edge where the tyre seals, or a faulty TPMS sensor seal. Many leaks are visible only with the wheel off.
How to check yourself
- Look closely at the tread for anything embedded.
- Mix washing-up liquid with water and brush it over the tread and valve. Bubbles show the leak.
- Check the pressure cold and note it. Recheck after a day.
Can it be repaired?
Often yes. If the damage is in the central part of the tread and within repair limits, a proper repair from the inside of the tyre is possible. Plugs from the outside alone are not an accepted repair. We carry out mobile puncture repair to BSAU 159 at your home or workplace.
Do not keep topping it up and hoping. Driving under-inflated damages the tyre's structure and can make the tyre unrepairable. See repair or replace for how we decide.