Tire blowouts are considered one of the most common reasons for a breakdown on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tire failures cause approximately 11,000 crashes each year.
Having a tire blowout in the middle of a road is extremely dangerous and terrifying, no matter how experienced you are as a driver. Most of the time, you will need to call a tow truck to help you change a flat tire or bring your vehicle to a nearby repair shop.
What Causes Tire Blowouts?
There are many reasons why you might end up stuck on the road with a burst and damaged tire. Let’s go over why tire blowouts happen:
- Road Damage
- Wear and Tear
- Punctures and Impact Damage
- Underinflation
- Overloading
- Warmer Temperatures
What Are the Best Ways To Prevent a Tire Blowout?
Prevention is key in avoiding tire blowouts. With regular inspection and maintenance, you can ensure that your tires are always road-ready. Here are some tire maintenance tips you can try:
Always Monitor Tire Pressure
Not all tires have the same recommended pressure levels, so make sure to monitor your tire pressure. Incorrect tire pressure is the leading cause of blowouts and breakdowns on the road.
Since tires lose pressure naturally, check your tire pressure once a month to avoid any problems. You may also have a low tire pressure gauge installed on your dashboard. The tire pressure warning light will turn on when the air pressure is too low.
Replace Old Tires
Aside from regularly monitoring air pressure, you should ensure that your tires do not suffer from wear and tear. As recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you should replace your tires when there’s uneven tread wear. The tread depth will also help you know if it’s time for new rubber. The deeper the tread, the better your traction during braking. When it reaches 2/32 of an inch, it may be better to replace your tires as soon as possible.
Moreover, tires should be replaced if they’re already six years old. Keep an eye out for any tears, tire bubbles, or other issues due to old age. All of these tell you that you need to change the tires before a blowout happens.
Never Overinflate or Underinflate
Proper air pressure in a tire is very important no matter what vehicle you own. When a tire is underinflated or overinflated, it loses stability and starts to wear unevenly. Expect a bumpier and riskier ride if there isn’t a proper inflation level on your tires.
Overinflated tires create uneven tread wear, which makes them more vulnerable to damage. Too much pressure in the tire will cause the rubber to stretch and eventually tire blowout. On the other hand, underinflated tires are prone to wear on the outside edges of the tread. Low pressure means the edge of the tires will have a greater contact area with the road. In either case, your tires are at great risk for a blowout that might endanger yourself and others on the road.
Avoid Overloading
Too much of anything is bad. Overloading a vehicle means there is too much pressure on the tires. This will increase your chances of experiencing a tire blowout in the middle of your trip. Avoid putting additional strain on the tires by not exceeding the vehicle load capacity or payload. To ensure everyone’s safety, it’s better to make two trips or rent an additional car for your trip.
Do Not Overspeed
Driving at a high speed will lead to loss of air pressure, overheating, and tire blowouts. Always follow the speed limit and be a mindful driver to avoid roadside accidents. When you don’t drive too fast, the tires won’t be susceptible to blowouts from potholes and debris and can last longer.
Rotate Your Tires Regularly
Tire rotation is an easy way to ensure that the tires wear evenly. Having more uniform tread wear helps your tires last longer and keeps you safe on the road. Experts recommend that tires should be rotated if you’ve noticed uneven tire wear or at least every 3000 to 5000 miles. You may also ask for a tire rotation for every oil change.
In addition, you may get a wheel alignment every 25,000 kilometers or at least once a year. This will help you avoid uneven tread wear that may cause tire blowouts. Your car’s tires endure daily impacts, so it’s better to have them aligned and perpendicular to the ground.
What To Do in the Event of a Tire Blowout
No matter how prepared you are, tire blowouts may still happen. Learn more about what to do if your tires burst and the car breaks down:
- Stay calm and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.
- Don’t step on the brakes because you might lose control of the vehicle.
- Maintain forward momentum and steer as straight as you can.
- Remove your foot from the accelerator and let your car slow down.
- Turn your emergency flashers before you pull over to the side of the road.
- If you have reflective cones or triangles, use them to alert other motorists.
- Call a towing service company or roadside assistance provider if you can’t change a flat tire.
You Can Count on Our Towing Experts
When things go wrong on the road, Allentown Towing Co has your back! We offer quick and reliable towing services, including emergency flat tire change. Give us a call today and our team will do our very best to respond to you as fast as we can!