Are you wondering what causes a tire blowout? Well, a tire blowout occurs when your tire fails. This could be due to overloading your vehicle and many more.
In this post, I’ll take you through the common causes of a tire blowout, how to prevent it and how to deal with a blowout in case it occurs.
Read on!
6 Common Causes of a Tire Blowout
Here are some common causes of a tire blowout:
1. Low Air
Your tires’ sides have less tread than the grip that touches the ground. Insufficient air pressure inside a tire leads to side wear, just like with the nail. Low air pressure causes the air to blast or blow out vulnerable areas. Underinflated tires are also very likely to blow out for this reason.
2. Small Punctures
It might seem pretty obvious, but still important to note. It’s simple to run over a nail or a screw without realizing it, though as air escapes from the area around it, the tire will begin to lose pressure.
As a result, the sides deteriorate, and you get near a blowout as we enter the low tire pressure zone.
3. Damage from Road Hazards
A highway is a dangerous place. Nothing can destroy a tire more quickly than debris and potholes. Your tire may blow out when you run over an object or hit a pothole. Running over a nail or glass or hitting a curb can cause a tire to blow out. If your wheels are already worn out, they are more vulnerable.
4. Uneven Tire Tread
Uneven wear is sure to happen if you don’t rotate your tires regularly. Every time you drive, the same parts of the tread are subjected to intense friction, which causes them to quickly become very thin and greatly increases the likelihood of a blowout.
You might start to see the rubber-coated steel belt cords poking through.
5. Excess Weight
Just like semi-trucks, your car is subject to weight restrictions. Overloading your car puts too much pressure on the tires. The weight may lead to the least tire blowout when you have uneven tread wear on the tires, which occurs if you don’t rotate them frequently.
6. Old or Defective Tires
Tires are no different from other car parts because they are more likely to fail the older they are. The tread gets thinner the more journeys they carry you on; eventually, a blowout is inevitable.
However, age isn’t always the problem. A manufacturer’s default on a brand-new tire can be equally hazardous.
Prevent a Tire Blowout
A blown tire can be fatal. If you are involved in an accident due to a faulty tire, you may be able to sue the tire manufacturing company or another party. Here are some tire blowout prevention tips to keep you safe while driving.
1. Do not overload your car
Overloading a car can be a main cause of the disaster, as excess weight in a vehicle can put excessive pressure on tires. Never overload your vehicle to a weight limit not advised by the manufacturer.
Make two trips if necessary to prevent overloading your vehicle. It is safer than making a single trip while risking safety.
2. Change Tires Regularly
In addition to regularly checking the tire air pressure, you should always change your tires on time.
As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you must replace your tires when you notice uneven or significant tread wear.
This is usually done after six years, but it could be more based on how frequently you drive.
3. Watch Out for Wear or Tear
You can also eliminate a tire blowout by inspecting your tires for tire bubbles, tears, or other deformities. If you notice anything unusual, it could indicate a serious issue, like a sidewall tear, that can lead to a blowout. Pull over and have it checked out by a professional immediately.
4. Check Tire Pressure Regularly
When avoiding a blowout, tire pressure regulation is paramount. Once a month, you need to check your tire pressure and, if necessary, fill your tires to the recommended PSI. The tire will struggle when they have insufficient air.
Consequently, the tire may become too hot and blow out. Always bring a tire pressure gauge with you to monitor it.
What Can I Do If I Encounter a Tire Blowout?
If you encounter a blowout, these steps will come in handy in controlling your car:
- First and foremost, remain calm.
- Slow down by trying to remove your leg from the accelerator gently.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- Drive in the correct lane, then pull over whenever it’s safe.
- Do not apply the brake. This will make your wheels lock up, resulting in a total lack of control.
- Accelerate slightly and keep the steering wheel very straight.
- If you can and have enough room, change the tire. If you’re in doubt, contact a towing company.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes tires to pop while driving?
Overloading your car, impact damage, a vast cut that leads to progressive air loss, or even an unnoticed slight puncture which allows the tire to lose air from time to time till it fails gradually, are the most common causes of tire blowouts.
Can I prevent a tire blowout from happening?
Blowout crashes are unintended. Nonetheless, they, like other accidents, are largely avoidable. Various people and entities can cause a blowout and injuries caused by injured victims.
Could a tire blowout cause your car to flip?
Tire blowouts could cause your vehicle to crash or flip over.
How loud can a tire blowout be?
A tire blowout is typically accompanied by a banging sound or loud pop, a wheezing sound as the gas escapes the tire, and the flopping sound of the rubber contacting the road. When a tire explodes, the vehicle may suddenly slow down and pull rapidly to one side.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what causes a tire blowout, you can identify one when it happens. You will not find yourself stranded, not knowing what just happened.
You can also use the tips mentioned above to prevent tire blowouts and what to do when you encounter one.
Drive safely!