A majority of drivers including myself have had the experience of suffering through a tire blowout. I know in my experience I had no idea what to do, besides grip the steering wheel and pray for my car to slow down. This short article will give you some pointers on what to do if this unfortunate situation happens to you in the future.
While researching information to include in this article, I discovered what is classified as a “tire blowout,” as well as how it is caused. As a general rule, if air can escape from your tire and prevent it from supporting the weight of your vehicle, it is considered to be a blowout. A large cut in your tire, a small puncture, vehicle overloading, or damage from impact whether it is immediate or delayed are all considered to be causes of a tire blowout. Contrary to popular belief, often times the problem is an underinflated tire. With too little air pressure the tire can be flexed beyond its limits. It can then overheat, causing the rubber to lose the bond with its internal fabric and steel reinforcement. You can all guess what happens from here.
Although tire blowouts are not as common today due to increased technology, they are still very dangerous. Knowing what to do in this situation can make a huge difference. Normal reactions include jerking the steering wheel, taking your foot off the pedal and immediate braking. All of these reactions can be hazardous. Believe it or not, here is what is recommended. If and when you experience a blowout all procedures are the same no matter what vehicle you drive. Instead of the natural reaction to let off the gas, step on the accelerator to keep up your vehicle speed and steer against the pulling tire to remain in your lane. Once you have stabilized the vehicle you are safe to slow the vehicle down and pull over to the side of the road. Easier said than done, right?
Remember, if you ever find yourself in the middle of a tire blowout, drive through and maintain control of your vehicle. When all is said and done, Anywhere Tire Care will be there to get you up and running safely when your new tire arrives! Thanks for reading J
Kelcy Newman
Office Manager @ Anywhere Tire Care
Anywheretirecare.com
518-810-5244
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