Imagine driving down the highway and suddenly hearing a loud bang the car jolts, moving from side to side, becoming almost impossible to control, and abruptly, you are in a tire blowout situation. What causes a tire blowout? Tire blowouts occur when the tire rapidly loses air pressure, causing it to burst. Tire blowouts are sudden and dangerous, catching the most attentive drivers unaware. Tire blowouts pose a serious risk of losing control of your vehicle. It may also lead to severe accidents, car damage, or even fatalities.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire-related crashes accounted for over 11,000 accidents yearly, with almost 600 people dying from such crashes. The unpredictable nature of tire blowouts emphasizes the need to understand the common causes of tire blowouts and how to reduce the risk and maintain safety on the road.
What Can Cause a Tire to Blow Out?
Tire blowouts occur without warning, posing serious risks to car occupants and other road users. Often caused by a combination of external factors such as driving behaviors or maintenance issues, tire blowouts are dramatic and dangerous events that may lead to grievous consequences, including fatalities. The following are the leading causes of tire blowouts:
Underinflated Tires
Underinflated tires are the leading cause of tire blowouts. When the tire pressures are too low, the tire surface comes in contact with the road more than usual. This excessive flexion of the tires has two effects - increased heat generation and weakened side walls, resulting in a compromised tire. Over time, it may lead to a sudden rupture, causing the tire to pop.
Preventing underinflated tires requires regular tire checks to ensure that the tire pressures are gauged correctly. Also, it is good practice to invest in a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) if your car doesn't come with one. Adjust your tires accordingly during season changes, as tire pressure typically decreases during colder weather. Lastly, schedule routine inspection checks of your tires with professional mechanics to help detect issues such as improper alignment or internal damage contributing to tire leaks.
Overinflated Tires
Most drivers focus on underinflated tires and overlook overinflated tires. Adding too much air above the manufacturer's recommended limit may increase tire wear, amplifying the risks of tire blowouts. All tires are designed to function at specific pressure levels. When the air pressure exceeds the specified pressure, the tire becomes rigid.
A rigid tire, due to overinflation, reduces its ability to absorb shocks from the road. The added pressure makes the tire walls thinner, making them susceptible to bursting when the tire hits a sharp object or experiences a sudden impact.
Potholes and Road Hazards
Every driver has experienced those unavoidable potholes or stray road debris that pop up on the road. The sudden impact from potholes typically compresses the tire, causing internal damage, sidewall bulges, and loss of air pressure. Likewise, road debris like nails, glass, or sharp objects may lead to slow leaks or sudden blowouts. A tire compromised by hitting potholes or sharp objects affects the car's stability, making it prone to bursting, especially at high speeds.
Overloading the Vehicle
It is tempting to load up your vehicle to the brim when going on a road trip. However, exceeding your car's weight capacity may have serious consequences on your tires. All vehicles have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). When the limit is exceeded, the tires experience a high rolling resistance, adding stress on the tires and weakening their internal components, making them susceptible to tire blowouts, especially at high speed or during long trips.
Worn or Aged Tires
Your tires are the only part of the car that makes contact with the road. As tires age, whether from use or natural degradation, their ability to perform optimally diminishes, making them vulnerable to punctures, pressure imbalances, and blowouts. When the rubber components in tires break down due to wear and tear or aging, the tires become less effective at gripping the road, reducing their performance and increasing the risks of blowouts.
To keep your tires in good condition, inspect them regularly. Ensure that the tire’s sidewalls do not have visible cracks. Cracks on tires are signs of deterioration. Confirm that the tread depth is not lower than 2/32 of an inch. Thread depths below this value are legally worn and should be replaced.
Manufacturing Defects
Generally, most tire blowouts are caused by external factors like underinflation or road hazards. However, some blowouts occur due to flaws from the tire manufacturers. Although rare, manufacturing errors, such as faulty materials or improper bonding of the tire layers, compromise the tire’s structure. Manufacturing defects may lead to unexpected tire blowouts even under normal driving conditions.
Extreme Heat or Weather Conditions
Extreme weather conditions pose challenges to your tire’s performance. During hot weather, high temperature causes the air inside the tire to expand, increasing the tire's internal pressure. Likewise, cold weather makes the rubber inside tires less flexible and prone to breaking. These added pressures, whether cold or hot, lead to cracks, reduce the tire’s performance, and may weaken the tire’s structure, making it more susceptible to blowouts, especially during long drives.
What Should You Do if You Have a Tire Blowout?
One of the most alarming experiences a motorist can have is a tire blowout. The loud bang, followed by the car moving to one side while vibrating, can be unnerving. However, staying calm and knowing how to respond can make the difference between a safe stop and a potential disaster during a tire blowout situation. Apply the following safety measures should you experience a tire blowout.
- If you have a tire blowout, hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands to prevent swerving or losing balance during a tire blowout. Maintaining control of the vehicle helps prevent further damage.
- While your first instinct might be to slam the brakes, Don't. Slamming the brakes may destabilize the vehicle. Instead, gradually ease your foot off the accelerator, allowing it to slow down in a controlled manner. Easing off the accelerator prevents the car from spinning out or skidding.
- Use gentle and controlled movement to steer the car towards safety. Avoid sharp turns that may cause the car to lose balance. Guide the car off the road, away from traffic.
- Alert other road users by turning on your hazard lights as soon as possible. This helps warn approaching vehicles that you are experiencing a problem. Turning on the hazard lights helps ensure the safety of other motorists.
- Consider changing the car tire using the spare, if you can, and have the right tools. Ensure the vehicle is parked on a stable surface before attempting the tire replacement.
- Call for roadside assistance where you lack the experience or tools to replace the tire.
Checking Tires Regularly is the Safest Strategy
Every driver should have the skills to handle a car during a tire blowout. By staying calm, maintaining control, and following the proper steps, drivers can minimize the adverse risks when a tire blowout occurs. However, the best way to deal with a blowout is to ensure it never happens. Therefore, it is important to regularly check your tire pressure, inspect your tires for wear and tear, drive with caution to prevent entering unavoidable potholes and replace old tires when necessary. Being prepared keeps you safe, giving you peace of mind on the road.
