How to Handle a Tire Blowout

Posted August 27, 2013

Drivers in Michigan encounter many distractions on the road—traffic, cell phones, music, passengers, etc. Even the open road can allow a driver’s mind to wander. If you’re distracted when a tire blowout occurs, your drive can become extremely dangerous. You’ll need to gather yourself quickly and follow the correct maneuvers in order to remain safe while you guide your car to safety. We’ve put together a few tips on how to properly handle a tire blowout so you can get off the road as quickly and safely as possible.

The easiest way to remain safe from a tire blowout is through preventative maintenance. Taking care of your tires can reduce many of these common causes of blowouts.

Causes of tire blowouts:

Over/underinflated tires
Misaligned tires
Overloaded vehicle
Sharp objects on the road

When a blowout occurs, the vehicle will veer toward the blown out tire regardless of your speed. Most often, blowouts occur at relatively high speeds. A normal reaction of a driver may be to panic; however, the number one rule of dealing with a blowout is to keep calm. You won’t violently spin out of control during a blowout if you handle it correctly.

Safely maneuvering during a blowout:

DO NOT hit the breaks or turn the steering wheel—an initial reaction of most drivers
Briefly press the accelerator to maximize control
Firmly grab the steering wheel and stay in your lane
When you can safely do so, carefully guide your vehicle to the shoulder or safe location as you begin to decelerate
Once you’re at comfortable and safe speed, you can apply the brakes and come to a full stop
Turn on your hazard lights

Even if you never experience a tire blowout, it is always beneficial to know what to do. To avoid a tire blowout, come down to D’s Trans & Auto and let our ASE-certified mechanics give your vehicle and tires a thorough inspection. At our auto repair shop in Holland, we will do whatever it takes to ensure you’re safe. So stop by or call us at (616) 796-9929 to set up an appointment today!

Categories: Car Repair