What Should You Do If You Have a Tire Blowout?
Tire blowouts can be unnerving for any driver, but should one occur, staying calm and following the right steps to ensure your safety and get back on the road is essential. First, do not panic and follow these immediate steps:
- Turn on your emergency lights to alert other drivers you are experiencing an issue so they can give you space and the necessary opportunity to pull off the road safely.
- Slow down gradually and pull over in a safe location. Gently reducing speed is ideal to maintain control of the vehicle. If you are in a lane further away from the shoulder, signal your intentions to other drivers and move to the side of the road as soon as it is safe.
Once you’re safely off the road, it’s time to assess what to do next. Sometimes, a simple flat tire could potentially be repaired, but if you have a full tire blowout, you’ll need to purchase a brand-new tire. In either case, getting back on the road safely to get your vehicle to a tire shop is the top priority.
After a Blowout: Avoid Danger and Get Back on the Road Safely
Once you’re on the side of the road after a tire blowout, the next step is determining how you will get back on the road. If your vehicle has a spare tire, follow our guidelines on changing a tire safely. Always be sure to bring your damaged tire with you – do not leave it on the side of the road. Once the spare is on, try to drive with it as little as possible, taking the damaged tire to a shop as soon as possible to determine if it can be repaired or requires a replacement. Many newer vehicles don’t come standard with a spare, so for those without, contact roadside assistance and have the vehicle towed to a repair shop.
What Do You Do with the Blown-Out Tire?
Most tire shops can take a damaged tire from you to ensure it’s properly disposed of. However, if you’re stuck with a blown-out tire, you need to know how to get rid of it in an environmentally safe manner. Never burn your scrap tires as it can end up polluting the air, water, and groundwater. Tire recycling is an eco-friendly way to dispose of scrap tires, but there are several ways you can safely get rid of a junk tire in the state of Missouri.
How Do Tire Blowouts Occur?
Various factors can contribute to tire blowouts and resulting accidents, some more preventable than others. These are categorized into three specific categories: vehicular, driver, and environmental factors.
- Vehicular Factor: This includes tire issues such as tire pressure, tread depth, or prior damage such as tread separation. These can be prevented by sticking with a regular maintenance and inspection plan for your vehicle.
- Driver Factor: Drivers who excessively speed or frequently accelerate rapidly from a stop or make sudden stops are more at risk of experiencing a tire blowout. These factors can be prevented by driving safely and following the rules of the road. Of course, you can’t always avoid slamming on the brakes if a hazard is suddenly presented.
- Environmental Factor: Driving on wet roads, in deeper water, on slick surfaces, or in summer heat could all result in poor tire performance and damage. You can’t control the weather, but being aware of your driving conditions and ensuring that your tires are in good condition for any long drive can help lower your blowout risk.
Preventing Tire Blowouts
Not every tire blowout is preventable, but there are steps you can take to lower your risk.
- Check your tire pressure frequently: Improper tire pressure is a major cause of blowouts. Before any long trips, check your tire pressure, especially in the summer when pavement temperatures can cause the tire pressure to rise to bursting levels.
- Don’t drive on old or worn tires: Tires that are worn down or have cracks in the rubber are immediate signs you should not be driving on them. Excessive or uneven wear can happen if you don’t follow a proper tire rotation schedule or drive on mismatched tires. If your tires seem to be wearing out rather quickly, the tire wear pattern can indicate any underlying issues your vehicle may be experiencing.
Drive Safe with Quality Tires & Service from Telle Tire
Safety is paramount on the road, and knowing what to do in the event of a tire blowout or the best ways to help prevent one will help keep you and others safe on the road. When you need new tires or maintenance to ensure the ones you have are in good driving condition, trust the professionals at Telle Tire.
With top-notch tire services, our team is here to keep you safe and get you back on the road. Contact us today or visit your nearest Telle Tire location for all of your tire and vehicle maintenance needs.