So many possible risks and dangers that can happen when driving on the road. That includes tyre blowout as well. Tyre blowout does not only can put your life in danger but other road users too.
Tyre blowouts can happen due to driver’s negligence to perform proper car maintenance and regular inspection of the tyre pressure. It is important to regularly check your tyre pressure to prevent tyre explosions.
However, you cannot predict what could happen. So what can you do in such an untoward situation as the tyre explosions? Read on to know more about this matter.
Causes of tyre blowout
Before we go further addressing what could be done in the event of a tyre blowout, let us share the causes of a tyre blowout while driving.
- Drive over the speed limit
Each tyre has its speed limit set by the company. Thus, it is important to ensure you drive within the speed limit to prevent a tyre blowout. You may refer to the date code on your tyre to know the car’s speed limit.
- Overinflated tyre pressure
Compounds or molecules in the structure of tyre rubber have their limitations. Therefore, you are not recommended to inflate the tyres more than what is recommended for your car.
- Expiry period
New tyres can be used up to 6 years before the expiry date.
Once exceeding the expiry period, the rubber structure will start to get weaker in time and may cause a blowout.
- Imbalance wheel
If your vehicle experiences intense shaking when speeding, the reason could be due to an imbalance wheel.
That is why you need to do balancing on the tyres. Unbalanced wheels can affect the rubber structure of the tyre due to the vibration it accommodates. Eventually, it can break just like that.
Blowout tyre while driving? Follow these steps
The followings are the steps that you need to take if your car tyre blows up when driving:
Do not press the gas pedal
First and foremost, please control yourself. Calm down and do not ever press the gas or brake pedal.
Although the tyre will start to vibrate following the blowout, note that the car remains balanced. Therefore, remain your foot in the existing pedal position. To your knowledge, a sudden press on the brake pedal will cause a tyre to be locked.
Following that, a driver can lose steering control which causes the car to sway rather than in the direction they want.
Do not brake suddenly
It is normal to immediately press the brake pedal if we panic in the event of an untoward incident.
However, you are advised to refrain from doing so. In addition to damaging the brake system, a sudden brake can cause your car to lose balance and sway.
It may be helpful if your car has Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) safety features to assist you in an emergency.
But if your car does not have such a safety feature, please do not press the brake suddenly. If you need to use the brake, press it repeatedly with a gradual force.
Control the steering slowly
The steering wheel is a component that controls the tyre.
In general, the tyre will follow the direction set by the steering wheel. However, it may not be the case in the event of a tyre blowout. A blown-out tyre may not follow the direction that the steering wheel directs. Say if you want to turn left, the car may not necessarily turn left but right instead.
Your steering wheel tends to follow the direction that your blowout tyre points.
For instance, your left tyre blows out. Your steering wheel will automatically turn left because the weight is concentrated on the blown-out tyre.
So, try to grip the steering wheel hard to ensure the car move in a straight direction.
Slow down the gear
Are you driving an automatic car? If yes, change down the gear from D4 to D3 and D2. For a manual car, immediately shift the gear without pressing the clutch.
This ensures you can slow down the car’s speed safely in situations like this.
Stay in the same lane
Try to control your car in the same lane.
When you have managed to drive in a straight line, let your car stop on its own and slowly to the side (by this point, the car is usually already in control).
Make sure the area is safe and does not risk causing another accident.
Use emergency light
Please use the emergency light to give a signal to other road users. Hence, the other drivers will be alert to your whereabouts and slow down when driving past you.
Then, you can start changing your car tyre with a replacement in your car trunk. You may seek roadside assistance or towing service provided by your insurer if you are unsure of what to do.
Car tyre maintenance tips
Prevention is always better! The followings are tips to perform maintenance on your car tyres to avoid the occurrence of flat tyres.
Maintain tyre pressure
To your knowledge, a regular check on tyre pressure is necessary once a month. It ensures your car tyre has the proper pressure to prevent blown-out tyres and mechanical damage.
It is easy to check and refill the tyre pressure.
You may go to any petrol station and get a free refill tyre pressure.
Rotate car tyre
You need to rotate the position of the car tyres every 10,000km or once every six months depending on the condition of the tyres and the type of vehicle as well.
Tyre rotation can extend the life of your car tyres and reduce uneven wear.
Balancing and alignment
Balancing ensures the tyre is important to ensure that the rotation of the tyre and the rim are balanced with its axis of rotation.
You are advised to do balancing on the tyres every 6 months. This helps to ensure that the car tyres are in good condition.
Check the thickness of the tyre tread
The average new tyre has about 8mm of tread depth. Upon reaching the 3mm limit, you are advised to replace the tyre. Your car tyre is technically worn out at a minimum tread depth of 1.5mm (around 3¼ of yire surface).
When the tread depth on the tyre has lessened, it will cause the tyre to function lesser. Hence, it will decrease its grip ability and increases the braking distance.
Maintain your car tyre
In conclusion, you can prevent the incident of blown-out tyres if you do proper maintenance on your car tyres.
We certainly do not hope you experience such a thing. But if this happens to you, follow these shared steps to ensure your safety and other road users.
Meanwhile, make sure you drive within the speed limit to prevent tyre blown-out. Remember, your life matters. Be a responsible driver when driving on the road.
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