Can you put a nail in front of a tire to pop it?

Any sharp object, such as a nail, can pop a tire or instigate a slow leak that eventually deflates the tire. Whether the tire pops or leaks slowly depends on the speed at which the tire runs over the nail.

Driving at high speeds, such as 50 or 60 miles per hour, makes sharp objects more likely to pop a tire immediately and cause a blowout. Other factors can increase the likelihood of a popped tire, such as under-inflation, hot weather and heavy loads in the vehicle. There are much safer ways for a car owner to deflate his or her own tires. Popping or slashing someone else's tires is an illegal action categorized as vandalism under the law.