Here’s a nugget of wisdom: If you have to invest in something, try to invest in an item that will act as a cushion between you and the ground. We’re talking about things like high-quality mattresses, decent shoes, and of course, good tires.
Your tires are the only thing that protects your car (and you) from the road. That’s why it’s crucial that they are in tiptop shape.
Most of you don’t know this, but due to overpopulation and industrialization, roads in cities are home to metal, shrapnel, screws, potholes, broken glass, nails and other pointy objects.
In any urban squall, driving can be a dangerous task. Add that fact to the possibility of having to deal with a tire blowout, and you’ll see why experts think commuting is a scary predicament. So what should you do if you have a tire blowout?
Six things to do if you have a tire blowout:
- Do nothing.
- Remain calm.
- Steer the vehicle straight.
- Lightly pump the gas pedal.
- Turn the steering wheel slowly.
- Pull over.
What Do You Do in the Event of a Tire Blowout?
Any experienced driver will have a story to tell when they had to deal with a damaged tire, a flat tire or a blown-out tire while cruising down the busy freeway. Here’s what you should do if it happens to you.
Step #1: Do Nothing
Turning your vehicle or slamming your brakes is a mistake of Shakespearean magnitude. DON’T do it. When faced with a tire blowout, do absolutely nothing.
We know that statement sounds counterproductive to some degree. But it’s the safest thing to do.
Step #2: Remain Calm
Take deep breaths, and try not to panic. Panicking will only exacerbate the situation, and that’s the last thing we want. If you have other passengers in the vehicle with you, tell them to remain calm as well.
Step #3: Steer the Vehicle Straight
Your hands should be on 10 and 2. Correct your steering, and try to keep it straight ahead without making any unnecessary turns. One thing that most people don’t know is that a tire blowout will make you feel like the car is pulling to one side. It’s a scary feeling, but try not to jerk the wheel.
Twisting the steering with the hope of correcting the change when you have a tire blowout is a no-no. Your intentions might be pure, but by doing that, the vehicle may spin out and collide into oncoming traffic. Therefore, ensure your wheel is straight and your grip sturdy until you come to a slow and safe speed.
Step #4: Lightly Pump the Gas Pedal
A light pump will help you stabilize the vehicle once the tire blows out, and keep you on the road. Don’t worry too much about the brakes because the shredded or blown out tire will act as one through its dragging effect.
Step #5: Turn the Steering Wheel Slowly
When you get to under 30 miles per hour, lightly press the brakes and then turn your steering wheel slowly. At this point, you’ll have gained control of the car, with little to no resistance.
Step #6: Pull Over
Pull over to the side of the road. Gather yourself, turn on the emergency lights, and then call for help. A reflective triangle in your car is useful for such roadside emergencies.
What Can Cause a Tire Blowout?
Technically, a tire blowout is the unanticipated failure of a tire due to a defect, wear, or underinflation.
Underinflation is the primary reason why the car tire bulges out, and that flex produces heat, which in turn leads to the blowout. However, that’s not the takeaway here. What’s more important is for the driver to understand that they need to check the tire pressure occasionally.
What Does Science Say?
Every month, the tire of any vehicle will lose approximately 1 pound per square inch (PSI). Add that to the other extra PSI that it loses for every 10-degree temperature drop, and you’ll see why it doesn’t take that long for the air pressure to reduce significantly.
Thanks to these new car models, you don’t have to keep on checking if your tire pressure is right. Every vehicle produced after 2007 will come with tire pressure monitoring systems that flash on the dash anytime your tires are low on air.
Warning Signs of a Car Tire Blowout
To prevent a car tire blowout, you have to know what to look for. So we thought of a few warning and troubling signals that you need to look out for:
- Weak spots on the tire.
- Excessive vibration.
- Overinflated or underinflated tires.
- Excessively worn tires.
- Uneven tread wear.
- Low tread.
- Damaged tires.
How To Avoid a Car Tire Blowout
Forewarned is forearmed. That’s a saying that applies in every industry, including the motor vehicle industry. Always double-check your tire pressure. Use the old penny trick to check your tread depth if you have to.
The tire pressure warning light doesn’t have to come on for you to pay attention to your car tires. If they feel off while you’re driving, pull over, and Google the nearest Auto Care service in your zip code.
Tire blowouts happen all the time, but having all your tires checked the minute you sense trouble is a pretty good way of avoiding a blowout.
The Tire Blowout Emergency Kit
Before leaving the house, make sure you have a blowout survival kit with all the emergency essentials in it. Every driver needs to have a kit that’s tailored to their surroundings and time of year. The must-have basics include:
- Jumper cables.
- First aid kit.
- Reflective signs or flares.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
- Non-perishable snacks and bottled water.
- Cell phone for calling roadside assistance.
- Multipurpose tool.
- Spare tire.
- Jack and lug wrench.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Should You Do If You Have a Tire Blowout Quizlet?
The first step is to take your foot off the gas before turning on the hazard lights or emergency flashers. Don’t even think about slamming on the brakes. Just concentrate on your steering, and the vehicle will eventually slow down due to the blowout tire’s parachuting effect.
Just so you know, you might find yourself in a situation where you feel compelled to lightly step on the gas to gain control of the vehicle. But you don’t have to if you feel less resistance. Wait until the speed gets to 30 miles per hour or less, and then brake softly.
Can You Die From a Tire Blowout?
Sadly, yes. If the statistics are anything to go by, tire blowouts cause more than 70,000 accidents and kill more than 400 drivers every year.
Can You Change a Tire Blowout on the Road?
You should explore all your options before the towing service gets there, but if you’ve never attempted to change a car tire before, you shouldn’t. Call the nearest tow truck service in your zip code, and wait for it at a safe place.
Can You Use a Blow Out Tire Again?
No. That’s like asking if you could use a parachute that has a defect. You can always patch it up, but is it worth the risk? Use the blowout tire to build tire walls if you want to put it to good use.
How Often Do Tires Blow Out?
Not so often. And if you’ve experienced more than one blow out in the past month, something’s definitely wrong with your car.
Bottom Line
Anyone can easily prevent a tire blows out with a little bit of due diligence and some great tire maintenance tips. Whenever you have an inkling something’s off, pull over and call the nearest Auto Care in your zip code.
