Tire blowout: what to do, and why it happens

What should you do the moment a tire blows?

Hold the wheel firmly with both hands and keep the car going straight. Don't stamp on the brake; ease off the gas and let the car slow down by itself.

1. Grip the wheel. The car will pull toward the blown tire. Hold it steady.
2. Keep straight. Small steering corrections only. No sudden swerves.
3. Ease off the gas. Let the speed fall on its own.
4. Don't brake hard. Hard braking can make the car spin or pull sharply.
5. Brake gently once slow. When the car is steady, brake lightly.
6. Signal and steer off. Move to the shoulder, an exit or a parking lot.
7. Hazards on. Stop on firm, level ground away from traffic.

USTMA gives the same advice for any sudden vibration or ride change: reduce speed gradually, don't brake or turn abruptly, and drive with caution until you can safely pull off.

Does it feel different if a front or rear tire blows?

Yes. A front blowout pulls the steering hard toward the failed side, while a rear blowout tends to make the back of the car sway or wobble.

The steps are the same for both. Hold the wheel, keep straight, and slow down gently. Don't try to save the tire by driving on to the next exit at speed. The tire is already done.

What is the difference between a blowout and a flat?

A flat loses air slowly, over hours or days, while a blowout loses all its air at once, often with a loud bang. A slow flat can often be repaired; a blowout can't.

A slow leak you keep ignoring can turn into a blowout. Driving on a soft tire heats it up and damages it from the inside.

Why do tires blow out?

Most often because the tire ran too low on air and overheated. Overloading, a hard hit on a pothole and old damage are other common causes.

• Low air pressure. USTMA says under inflation causes heat build-up and internal damage. The failure can come later.
• Too much weight. Overloading stresses tires, says USTMA. The weight limit is on the door label.
• Impact damage. A pothole or curb can hurt the tire inside with little sign outside.
• A slow leak driven on. Each mile on a soft tire adds heat and damage.
• Worn or aging tires. Thin tread and cracked rubber fail more easily.
• Hot roads. Memphis summers add heat to tires that are already low.

USTMA also warns that over inflated tires are more likely to be cut or broken by a sudden impact. The right pressure is the one on the label, not the number on the sidewall.

What should you do after the car stops?

Get yourself safe first, then deal with the car. If you are on an interstate or a busy road and feel unsafe, call 911.

• Stay in the car with your seat belt on if traffic is close.
• If you get out, stand well away from traffic, behind a barrier if there is one.
• Don't change a tire on the traffic side of a narrow shoulder.
• Look at the wheel too. A blowout can bend or crack the rim.

See a flat tire on the interstate for the full roadside steps.

Can a blown-out tire be repaired?

No. A blowout tears the tire's structure, so it must be replaced. Even a tire that only went flat and was driven on may be ruined inside.

USTMA says tires driven even a short distance while under inflated may be damaged beyond repair, and that every tire must come off the wheel for an inside check before anyone decides it can be fixed.

Your options are to put the spare on, have a new tire fitted where the car is, or tow the car. A tire tech we work with can do the first two. See roadside tire change and mobile tire replacement.

Can you see a blowout coming?

Sometimes. A bulge on the sidewall, a tire that keeps going soft, or a new shake at speed are warning signs that a tire may be close to failing.

• A bulge or bubble: the inside of the tire is broken. Replace it.
• A tire that needs air every week: it has a leak that is heating it up.
• The pressure light keeps coming back: find out why before a long drive.
• A new vibration: slow down and look at the tires.
• Deep cracks or cords showing: the tire is worn out.
• Uneven wear: one edge worn bald can point to low air or bad alignment.

USTMA says a tire that keeps needing air should be checked by a tire professional. The cause may be a puncture, a leaking valve or a damaged wheel. Running it low causes the heat that leads to failure.

Don't drive a tire with a bulge, even slowly to the next town. Put the spare on or have the tire replaced where the car is.

Does a blowout damage anything else on the car?

It can. Flapping rubber can crack bumper covers, fender liners and wiring, and the rim or suspension can be hurt if you drove on the bare wheel.

• Look at the wheel for bends, cracks or chunks missing.
• Look inside the wheel well for torn liners or hanging parts.
• Listen for new noises once a good tire is on.
• Watch for the car pulling to one side.

If the steering wheel is off center or the car pulls after the new tire goes on, have the alignment checked. USTMA notes that misalignment also wears the new tire faster.

Check the other tires too. A blowout often comes from low pressure, and the others may be low as well.

How can you lower the risk of a blowout?

Check your tire pressure once a month with a gauge, when the tires are cold. Then look at the tread, the sidewalls and the load you carry.

A monthly two-minute check

1. Check pressure when the car has sat for three hours or more.
2. Fill to the number on the driver's door label.
3. Do the penny test: Lincoln's head upside down in a groove.
4. Look for bulges, cuts and cracks on both sidewalls.
5. Check the spare, too.

If you can see all of Lincoln's head, the tread is worn out. USTMA puts the limit at 2/32 of an inch.

Don't rely only on the dashboard light. USTMA notes that some pressure monitors don't warn until a tire is about 25% low. By then the tire may already be running hot.

After a hard pothole hit, have the tire looked at even if it seems fine. Impact damage can grow with every mile.

Before a long summer drive or a heavy load, check the pressure again. USTMA says to check before long trips, heavy loads and towing. Remove weight you don't need from the trunk, and keep the valve caps on so dirt and moisture stay out of the valve.

When to contact us: Off the road and safe? Send us your details with where the car is and the tire size, and we text you the price first.