A tyre blowout (aka burst tyre) is likely one of the most scary experiences when driving. A sudden loss of pressure on one (or more) of your car’s four corners is certainly a terrifying prospect.
A blown out tyre
A tyre blow out is a very sudden loss of pressure where the tyre is quickly destroyed, making it difficult to drive. There is also a chance that a blowout can damage the wheel itself and the surrounding area of the vehicle.
Tyre blowout causes and avoidance
1. Aging (Old) Tyres
An old tyre
Tyres weaken over time even if they're not being driven on the road. Although the tyres may appear to be in good condition, the rubber inside could actually be deteriorating if they were not properly stored.
It is recommended that tyres older than 6 years should be replaced, regardless of their tread life or how many kilometres they've been on the roads. The FRSC recommends 3 years.
2. Underinflation
Comparison between a properly inflated tyre and underinflated tyre.
The most common tyre blowout cause is under-inflation. An under-inflated tyre simply means that the tyre pressure is too low.
An under-inflated tyre will bulge out under your car’s weight, causing it to bounce up and down when driven at speed and sidewall flexing thus increasing the surface area in contact with the road. This then causes a high level of friction, resulting in heat that will weaken the tyre and eventually leads to it a premature blowout (bursting).
The recommended pressure for typical tyres is between 30 to 35 pounds per square inch (PSI). To ensure that your tyres are correctly inflated, check your owner's manual or the driver's side for the optimum pressure.
Make sure to check your tyres’ pressures regularly to dramatically reduce the chance of this being the case; equally ensure tyres aren’t over-inflated. If you're driving long distances, remember to visually inspect your tyres at every rest stop before continuing your journey.
3. Overloading
Some overloaded vehicles
Usually, in tandem with under-inflation, an overloaded vehicle can also lead to a burst tyre due to the tyre(s) being put under more pressure than it’s built to endure. Couple this with an under-inflated tyre and there’s a high chance of a tyre blowout. Make sure you are aware of your vehicle’s max load weight and don’t go over it to reduce the risk of a blowout.
4. Prolonged High Speed Driving
Speed ratings of tyres
If you're continuously driving at high speeds, it'll cause the tyres to heat up, causing the air pressure within them to expand beyond safe limits.
To avoid excessive tyre wear, take a short break every few hours of driving to allow the tyres cool down. Also check the speed ratings of your tyre.
This may not be a very serious problem in Nigeria as we simply don't have the roads.
5. Potholes
A pothole
This we have in abundance. While potholes are a general menace to motorists by making rides very uncomfortable, they can also be quite dangerous to our vehicles’ well-being. Driving over nasty pothole, especially at speed, can cause an immediate tyre blowout due to the impact alone.
Like potholes, hitting a kerb with momentum can also cause a /blowout. Avoiding hitting dangerous-looking potholes and high kerbs will reduce the chance of a blowout.
6. Bald Tyres
Bald tyres
Bald tyres can be easily punctured by a nail or sharp rock. Driving on bald tyres is especially hazardous when you're driving in wet weather as they don't have the ability to grip the road, leading to hydroplaning. To ensure safe driving, note that the legal limit for minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across 75% of the tyre circumference. Just make sure the treads are okay.
7. Bulging Tyres
A bulging tyre
If you see your tyre bulging, it indicates that the interior is faulty or damaged. A tyre bulge can be caused by hitting curbs, potholes or road dividers. Bulging tyres are ticking bombs and should be replaced immediately. Manufacturing defects can also cause the tyre to deform and bulge. Make it a habit to conduct a tyre routine inspection to ensure that your tyres are safe, it takes only a moment.
What to do during a tyre blowout
1. Stay calm – this may be a funny thing to say given the situation, but in order to make the event of a tyre blowout as safe as possible, you need to keep your wits.
2. Keep a firm grip on the wheel – the car will want to pull in the direction of the burst tyre, so it’s important you keep the wheel firmly in both hands to keep the car as straight as possible. No sudden movements.
3. No heavy braking – every driver will want to instinctively put their foot hard on the brakes. This is one of the worst things you can do as hard braking can exaggerate the way the car wants to pull as a result of the blowout, potentially leading to an accident.
If you have to brake, apply them very gently; if a rear tyre goes, controlled braking is more advised as the car’s weight is then brought to the front wheels.
4. Pull-over safely – as soon as safely possible, pull your car over to the side of the road and put your hazards on. Ensure that other motorists are aware that you have stopped by deploying reflective safety triangles behind your car if you have them. When you leave your car, it may be better to exit at the passenger side and wear reflective clothing if possible.
5. Next steps – Replace the wheel at the roadside with a spare. Then you can get to a safer and more practical location, or even all the way home/to your destination. Alternatively, you can get a tow-truck which can then take you to a garage to get the tyre replaced with a new one and you can be on your way.
Can I avoid a blowout by using run-flat tyres?
In short, run-flat tyres won’t necessarily remove the risk of a tyre blowout. What run-flat tyres can offer is more stability in the event of a blowout, as it can support a vehicle without air and the car’s handling should only be affected marginally following a blowout.
A run-flat tyre
Also, you can usually drive on a run-flat tyre for up to 150 - 160kilometres before needing to stop, although it is advised that max speed of 80kmh is adhered to. If you have run-flat tyres equipped on your car, ensure you keep an eye out for any run-flat warnings on the dash.
Find out more about run flat tyres here; Run Flat Tyres; How Do They Work
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