Tyre Blowouts

Tyre blowouts what you should and should not do

Although not that common tyre blowouts do occur. When a tyre fails while you are travelling on the road it can certainly be a daunting experience and potentially dangerous. They are ways in which you can reduce the likelihood of it happening in the first place, it is still good to be prepared in case it does happen. Firstly it is important to remain calm, which is often easier said than done.

Here are a few of the most important things to do and not to do

Don’t neglect your tyres, prevention is better than the cure like in most things. One of the common reasons blowouts happen is that the tyres have not been properly maintained.

Many of us are guilty of driving on curbs or over potholes, however neglecting your tyres over time can certainly spell disaster.

Tyres need to be checked regularly, including your spare, this is essential to ensure they are in good working order and safe to travel. Check your tyres at least once a month and especially before and after a long journey. Take time to inspect and look for signs of cuts, rips and any bulges. If your tyre is damaged or you spot anything you think is out of the ordinary. Call into our garage and we will check it over for you and either repair or replace it.

Helping prevent tyre blowouts – Pressure check and tread depth

Often tyre failure can be caused by under-inflated tyres. Therefore regular checks should be made with a pressure gauge to ensure there is the correct amount of air in them. Ensure you don’t, however, over-inflate your tyres as this can also increase the risk of a blowout. If you are unsure about the right pressure for your tyres check in your manual. Other places to check are generally on the inside of the driver’s door or under the petrol cap. The recommended tyre pressure, however, will vary according to the weight your car is carrying. When towing or using roof boxes etc, be aware of the extra weight as the pressure may need adjusting.

In addition to the pressure, tread depth is also another important factor. The legal minimum for tread is 1.6mm, across the central three-quarters of each tyre and around the entire circumference. When a tyre goes below this it needs to be replaced, again if you are unsure we can check this for you.

Slamming on the breaks

When tyre blowouts occurs and the tyre gives way, natural inclination maybe to slam on your brakes. This is not recommended as it can be more dangerous and cause you to lose control of your car. East of the brakes and allow the drag of the burst tyre to slow down your car naturally. You may even need to gently apply the accelerator pedal to be able to steady the car or vehicle. In the event of the vehicle pulling to the left or right, try not to turn away from that. Instead, try to keep the steering wheel straight and avoid going off to the side until the car has slowed down. Once the car is at a safer speed, then begin to ease over to the side of the road, once you have checked it is safe to do so.

Hazard warning lights

Once you have come to a standstill. Turn on your hazard lights this will help let other drivers know that there is an emergency and your vehicle has stopped. If it is safe to do so, put a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your vehicle, unless you are on a motorway hard shoulder.

Changing the tyre

After the tyre blowout, you need to decide if you are going to change the tyre yourself. If you do it is important to make sure other drivers can see you and you have enough room to carry this out away from traffic. Your owners manual will give you guidance on where your spare tyre is and how to change it. It is important to note that spare tyres are not designed for permanent use, they cannot handle longer distances or high speeds. Therefore you need to ensure you get it changed over with a new one ASAP.

In the event you don’t feel confident to change your tyre yourself, you can call for our tyre breakdown service, remain in a safe place until we arrive.