What should I do if my tire has a blowout?
Whatever the vehicle, do the following:
- Stay calm and don't make any sudden moves
- Lift your foot off the gas pedal gradually and don't step on the brakes
- Grip the steering wheel and just keep steering the vehicle straight ahead
- If you were braking at the time of the front-tire blowout, accelerate a little to transfer the weight to the rear vehicle
- If a rear tire blows, ignore the above step
What to do in case of a tire blowout?
- Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands.
- Do not slam on the brakes.
- Gradually release the accelerator to gradually slow down your car.
- Adjust your steering as needed to help stabilize your vehicle and regain control. ...
- Pull your car over to the side of the road once you have slowed to a safe speed.
- Activate your emergency flashers.
What factors contribute to tire blowouts?
- Lack of maintenance
- Improper tire maintenance or replacement
- Tire wear and tear
- Overheating
- Mismatched tires
- Improper use of a spare tire
- Defective or old tires
- Bad road conditions and potholes
- Other reasons
How does a tire blow out can cause trouble?
Tire blowouts can cause extreme injuries in severe cases including:
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord or brain injuries
- Lacerations
- Death
What is the leading cause of tire blowouts?
Most tire blowouts are caused by under inflation. Tire under inflation causes the side of a tire to flex more which generates heat. It's the heat that leads to the blowout. What's important to understand is tires lose pressure over time.
What causes a tire to explode?
Why do tires burst? Tire blowouts are caused by several factors including lack of proper tire inflation, overloading, excessively worn tread or damaged tread due to neglect and warmer temperature.
How do you prevent tire blowouts?
Prevent a Tire BlowoutCheck Tire Pressure Regularly. Tire pressure is the most important thing to regulate when it comes to preventing a blowout. ... Replace Tires on Schedule. ... Don't Overload the Vehicle. ... Keep an Eye Out for Tears or Other Signs of Wear. ... Contact a Florida Tire Lawyer if Injured.
How likely is a tire blowout?
Tire Blowouts and Tire-Related Crashes An average 33,000 accidents happen annually because of tires, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. At least 2,000 of those are blowout-related. ire blowout accidents are more common, and more dangerous, than you might think.
Can a tire just explode?
Overload. When you drive an overloaded vehicle, the tires can overheat and explode. The vehicle also becomes less stable, so it may be more troublesome to drive out of a tire sidewall blowout. Driving at high speeds while overloaded only adds to the heat of the tire, so the accident may become inevitable.
Can a tire explode while driving?
You're driving along when all of a sudden, you hear a loud clunk and start to feel your car pulling aggressively to one side. You're probably going through a tire blowout. Blowouts are when a tire bursts and rapidly loses air pressure. They can be frightening and, more importantly, dangerous.
Can you survive a tire blowout?
2:304:34How to Survive a Tire Blowout - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo as you press the gas lightly you'll keep your forward momentum. Once you're in control of yourMoreSo as you press the gas lightly you'll keep your forward momentum. Once you're in control of your car again you can ease off the gas. Step 4 hold on to the wheel.
What should you do if your tire blows out while you are driving?
If your tires suddenly blow out, do the following: Do not slam on the brakes. Take your foot off the accelerator and gently apply the brakes. Steer straight ahead to a stop. When you are able to do so safely, pull the vehicle off the road.
Can a nail cause a tire blowout?
And something as small as a nail in the road can be the cause. “It happens any time the air in the tire escapes at a rapid speed,” says James Solomon, a defensive driving expert with the National Safety Council (NSC).
Can a tire blowout at slow speeds?
Car and Driver says tire blowouts happen more frequently when you're driving on the interstate or traveling at higher speeds. There's less of a chance in stop-and-go driving because the tire is turning slowly and not building up as much heat, although it's still possible to experience a blowout at lower speeds.
Which is worse front or rear tire blowout?
Rear-tire blowouts are usually more disruptive and dangerous than front-tire blowouts, as drivers have no control over the rear end of the vehicle. Front-tire blowouts are still dangerous but generally easier to manage, as you should be able to steer to counteract the force of the blowout.
Will a tire explode if you slash it?
If someone uses a knife, the tire can deflate in a matter of seconds. It can even go flat immediately if the slashing causes the tire to blow up. Slashing a tire using a small sharp object like a nail or prick may take overnight or several days, depending on the size of the hole.
At what PSI will a tire explode?
about 200 psiUnder hot weather and highway conditions, the temperature of the air inside the tire rises about 50 degrees. That increases the pressure inside the tire about 5 psi. The burst pressure of a tire is about 200 psi.
Can a tire explode from too much air?
There are a variety of issues that can occur if you drive on overinflated tires. Most seriously, overinflated tires are at greater risk for a blowout. A tire blowout can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and negatively affect braking distance, endangering yourself and others on the road.
What happens when a tire pops?
Sensation- Once the blowout occurs, your vehicle will immediately begin to slow down as well as pull to the left or right. The vehicle may begin to vibrate and when a front tire blows the vehicle will act as if it wants to swerve towards the blown-out tire and rear tires will produce a swaying motion back and forth.
Will a tire explode if you slash it?
If someone uses a knife, the tire can deflate in a matter of seconds. It can even go flat immediately if the slashing causes the tire to blow up. Slashing a tire using a small sharp object like a nail or prick may take overnight or several days, depending on the size of the hole.
Why do tires blow out?
Here are six common causes of tire blowouts. 1. Road Damage. The road is a dangerous place. Debris and potholes can wipe out a tire quicker than anything else can. You can blow out a tire when you hit a pothole or run over a large object. You can also blow out a tire if you run over glass, a nail, or hit a curb.
Why do underinflated tires blow out?
This is also why underinflated tires pose a high risk for blowing out. As with the nail, low air pressure in a tire causes wear on the sides. The sides of your tires are thinner than the tread that meets the road surface. Low air pressure creates weak spots through which the air can blast through, i.e. blow out.
What happens if you run over a nail on a tire?
As air seeps out around the nail, your tire weakens. Over time, this wears down the sides of the tire and it will eventually blow if you don’t get the nail removed and tire repaired.
What happens if you don't rotate your tires?
Tires that aren’t rotated per the manufacturer’s recommendation wear down unevenly, and this uneven tread wear increases your risk of blowouts. 6. Old or Defective Tires. Finally, if your tires are old and need to be replaced but you fail to do so, you’re just asking for a blowout.
What happens if you overload your vehicle?
Your vehicle has weight restrictions just as semi-trucks have weight restrictions. If you overload your vehicle, you place undue stress on your tires. If you have uneven tread wear on your tires, which happens if you don’t rotate them regularly, the weight can cause the weakest tire to blow out.
Why do tires blow out?
Tires can also blowout when they have the wrong amount of pressure. If you look on the side of your tire, you will see the recommended PSI (pounds Per Square Inch) range your tires should be filled with. Impact with road hazards can also cause an unexpected blowout on any new or old tire.
Why are tire blowouts dangerous?
Tire blowouts are dangerous because they can often leave debris on the road, and they affect the ability of a driver to steer. Your first inclination after a blowout may be to stop accelerating, slam on the brakes, and move over to the shoulder of the road. This initial reaction can be very dangerous and is not how you should handle a blowout. Instead:
How to prevent blowouts on road?
Maintaining consistent pressure and replacing your tires as needed can greatly reduce the chance of facing a blowout on the roadway. Many modern vehicles have internal pressure gauges you can monitor from the dash. For others, keep a small tire gauge on hand, and regularly check the pressure. This is particularly important when the seasons change. You can also stop at most service stations and automotive shops for a free tire inspection to help you determine the drivability of your tires before long trips.
When do blowouts happen?
Blowouts are more likely to happen in the warmer months from May-October. The hot weather combined with longer trips, faster speeds, and heavy loads can add too much stress to an already worn out tire and cause it to pop. Unlike a flat tire, blowouts happen when a tire explodes and may leave accident-causing rubber debris in its wake.
How to drive through a blowout?
After you feel the vehicle become steady, slow down and start moving towards the shoulder of the road. Turn your hazard lights on as you make your way to the side. Driving through a blowout is recommended for any vehicle and any speed.
How to stop a car from pulling too much?
Address the blowout by accelerating or maintaining your speed momentarily. Press the accelerator to keep forward momentum. This will help offset the feeling of your car pulling too much to one side. Turn the wheel slightly in the opposite direction from where you feel the pull.
Why is it so hard to drive out of a tire blowout?
The vehicle also becomes less stable , so it may be more troublesome to drive out of a tire sidewall blowout. Driving at high speeds while overloaded only adds to the heat of the tire, so the accident may become inevitable. The problem is more common among SUVs and pickups, as they may carry heavy loads.
Why do bald tires blow out?
Driving on bald tires make them heat up faster, and showing cords mean the tires can fall apart any minute. They are more vulnerable to damage, and any road curb can cause rapid air loss and result in a blowout.
When Do Most Blowouts Occur?
A tire sidewall blowout is most likely to occur from mid-May to October. The temperature in most states is high during that time, and all minor issues of the tires become more dangerous. Slight under-inflation may build up more heat, along with excess load and highway speeds.
What is the pressure of a tire?
Most tires have about 30-35 psi pressure standard, and if under-inflation reaches over 25%, a tire sidewall blowout may occur. Under-inflated tires’ sidewalls flex more, as there isn’t enough pressure to hold the load of the vehicle, passengers, etc.
What happens when a tire is damaged?
Usually when damaged, tires lose air more rapidly, resulting in blowouts, tread or belt separation, etc. Road hazards include potholes, debris, and curbs, which can leave a cut or a puncture in the tire. The damage may be immediate, making the tire go flat or explode, or it may be long-lasting.
What is tire pressure monitoring system?
Tire Pressure Monitoring System tracks how much air there is in the tires and warns when it reaches a recommended limit. All vehicles manufactured after 2007 must have the TPMS built in. The goal of the system is to warn drivers about the issue and help avoid accidents due to tire failure.
How long is a tire good for?
According to tire companies, a tire is safe for 6-10 years from the date of manufacture. Rubber starts to deteriorate from the moment it’s exposed to oxygen and heat. Due to degrading, rubber loses its flexibility and becomes more brittle. Its connection to the inner plies may weaken, and its vulnerability increases.
How To Prevent A Blowout?
Paying extra attention to your tires and due diligence can help prevent this incident from ever happening. You can avoid traveling on hot days, in scorching weather, especially in between May and October.
Is a tire blowout dangerous?
Tires Blowout. One of Most Dangerous Situation for Drivers.
