What maintenance issue could a nail hole in the tire sidewall lead to?

A nail hole in the tire sidewall can compromise the structural integrity of the tire, leading to a tire blowout. The sidewall of a tire is designed to support the weight of the vehicle and absorb impact. A puncture in this area can significantly weaken the tire’s capability to maintain air pressure and withstand road forces. The sidewall is not as robust as the tread area, so when a nail creates a hole, it can create a potential failure point. This failure can result in a sudden loss of air pressure, which may cause the tire to rupture explosively, thus resulting in a blowout.

While gradual air loss, reduced fuel efficiency, and difficulty steering are potential issues that can arise from tire problems, they are not as directly linked to a puncture in the sidewall as a blowout is. Gradual air loss typically occurs with punctures in the tread area, where the tire can still maintain some support. Reduced fuel efficiency is more often related to incorrect tire pressure or alignment issues rather than punctures. Difficulty steering can be influenced by many factors, including tire wear or low pressure in the tire, but a blowout is the most immediate and severe risk associated with a sidewall puncture.