Dealing with a Tire Blowout While on the Road

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Article Contents
Picture of By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated on November 13, 2024

Visit author page
Picture of By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated November 13, 2024

Visit author page

4 minute read

Article Contents

Whether you’re a seasoned or novice driver,  driving through a blowout can be a pretty nerve-wracking experience. But if you know what to look out for and are prepared for the worst, then you have a better chance of walking away from a blowout unscathed.

Dealing with Tire Blowouts at a Glance 

  • A blowout is when a tire suddenly loses air pressure very quickly.
  • Blowouts often start with a loud boom, followed by the feeling of your vehicle veering off to one side.
  • While blowouts can happen seemingly out of nowhere, there are ways to reduce your chances of experiencing one.

Does Insurance Cover Tire Blowouts?

Most auto insurance policies will cover damages caused by tire blowouts. However, some insurance providers won’t cover damages if the blowout is caused by an old tire, using the wrong type of tire for your vehicle, or overloading your car. Consult your insurance provider to find out what’s covered by your policy.

Signs of a Tire Blowout

If you don’t know the signs of a blowout, experiencing one firsthand can be confusing at first. Here are some tell-tale signs to watch out for so you know not to panic if you find yourself in the midst of a blowout:

  • You hear a loud boom or bang coming from your tire, followed by a whooshing sound as air escapes the tire
  • You hear a flapping sound as the deflated tire hits the road with each revolution
  • Your car slows down and pulls to the side of the blown out tire
  • You feel like you’re losing control of the steering wheel

What to Do During a Tire Blowout

Here’s what you can do to safely drive through a sudden blowout:

1. Relax

First thing’s first — remain calm. Take a deep breath and remember that you are not totally out of control. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel (but not too tight!) and keep your eyes on the road.

2. Ease off the brakes

Your instincts might tell you to slam on the brakes once you hear the boom, but doing so could cause your wheels to lock up. To avoid spinning out of control, slowly take your foot off the gas pedal and allow your vehicle to slow down on its own.

3. Turn on your emergency lights

You’ll want to alert everyone around you that you’re having some sort of emergency. Use your turn signal to indicate that you’ll be pulling over to the side of the road, then when you’re parked safely, turn on your hazard lights to keep yourself visible to other drivers.

4. Pull over to the side of the road

You’ll need to assess the damage and change your tire or call someone to help. Carefully pull over to the side and make sure you aren’t blocking any exits.

5. Set up safety markers

Make sure other drivers can see you. Set up safety cones, flags, or flares to keep yourself and other drivers safe from a potential accident.

6. Change your tire

If you have a working spare and the necessary equipment, change your tire so you can drive yourself to the nearest mechanic. Be careful though — your tire will likely be very hot following a blowout. If you don’t have the equipment or are unsure how to replace a tire, just call for roadside assistance.

What to Do During a Tire Blowout

What Causes Tire Blowouts?

According to the Canada Safety Council, under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure. Most blowouts happen because the tire doesn’t have enough air pressure to keep the tire from flexing beyond its limits. This causes the sides of the tire to make contact with the road surface. The friction and temperature of the road can erode the thin rubber on the sides of the tire, causing it to rip and explode.

Aside from under-inflation, here are some other common causes of blowouts:

Potholes, curbs, and sharp objects on the road like nails and broken glass and puncture the walls of your tire, causing air to leak out and lead to underinflation. These can be harder to see and avoid when it’s dark, so exercise caution when driving at night.

Tires with worn out and uneven treads are far more susceptible to blowouts.

Carrying loads that exceed your vehicle’s weight limit could put excess pressure on your tires. Always consult your owner’s manual before attaching a trailer or a carrier to your vehicle.

Always check for recalls on your tires to avoid using defective tires and risking blowouts.

How to Prevent Tire Blowouts

Driving safely, avoiding overloading your vehicle, and using the right tires for your car are all easy ways to prevent blowouts. Use all-weather tires in the summer and winter tires once temperatures stay below 7 degrees for seven consecutive days. 

It’s also important to perform regular tire inspections to make sure your tires are road-worthy. Inspect your tires at least once a month and rotate your tires at least every six months. 

Here’s a simple tire inspection checklist you should always keep handy:

Inspect Tread Depth and Wear Patterns

Tire treads are the grooves and blocks that make up the pattern on your tires and help with traction and handling. Over time, treads wear out, making tires less effective at gripping the surface of the road. As such, it’s essential to check the depth of your tire treads regularly — whether with a depth gauge or the simple penny test.

Checking for uneven tire wear is also important. Too much wear on the center of your tires could indicate over-inflation, while edge wear could point to under-inflation. Checking your tread wear patterns could help you identify what you’re doing wrong and spot alignment and suspension issues.

Check Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). Before heading out, check your tire pressure with a pressure gauge and always inflate your tires to the correct pressure. The recommended PSI for your tires are indicated in the operator’s manual, as well as on a sticker on the inside post of the driver’s door. 

Inspect Sidewall Condition

Check your tires’ sidewalls for cuts, cracks, or bulges. Cuts and cracks can be indicative of damage due to extreme temperature changes, while a bulge can point to a weak spot that has been damaged by some kind of impact. If you notice these in any of your tires, consult a mechanic. 

Feel for Embedded Objects

Nails or broken glass that get lodged into your tire treads can either cause a flat right away, or go unnoticed and slowly leak air. While the latter won’t immediately cause a problem, it can lead to an unexpected blowout, especially if you hit a rough patch or a particularly deep pothole.

Key Advice From MyChoice

  • Tire blowouts can be dangerous, but they are avoidable.
  • In the event of a blowout, remain calm, do NOT slam on your brakes, and slowly pull over to the side of the road to assess the damage.
  • Regularly inspecting and maintaining your tires is your best bet at avoiding a future blowout. 

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