Tips on How to Avoid Tire Blowouts

Tire blowouts are a scary and surprisingly common problem for passenger vehicles across the country. “Tire blowout season” lasts until October, while the weather is still warm, so it’s important that you continue to pay close attention to your tires and take steps to avoid a potential accident while driving.

The main ways to avoid blowing out a tire are by closely monitoring your tires visually and by checking the tire pressure. However, having good driving habits and protecting your tires from additional pressure or damage can help ensure they will continue to stay functional. In order to avoid emergency towing in Greeley, CO, stay vigilant about treating your tires well.

Preventing tire blowouts

Implement these steps and driving habits into your regular routine to help prevent tire disasters while driving:

• Visual inspection: If you do a lot of driving, you should inspect your tires once a week. Check for signs of wear, dry rot or damage—all of which should be able to be spotted and fixed before you even get in the car.
• Check tire pressure: Keep a pressure gauge in your car and check the tire pressure every once in a while to make sure you haven’t lost pressure. You shouldn’t ever wait until the low-pressure light comes on to pay attention to your tires. Also, refer to the owner’s manual to make sure you’re keeping your tires at the correct pressure since every car requires different levels.
• Avoid under-inflation: Having tire pressure that is too low can create additional friction and overheating on the rubber that might lead to a blowout. It can also put additional pressure on the tire’s internal components and potentially lead to failure.
• Avoid over-inflation: Over-inflating your tires can also be disastrous. Filling your tires too full can stretch the rubber, weakening the tire and possibly causing a blowout.
• Drive safely: Not only is speeding illegal but driving super fast can actually cause your tires to fail. This situation is made even more common if there is debris or gravel on the road. Excessive speeds can cause your tires to become very hot, reducing their integrity. Additionally, avoid potholes and curbs, as these obstacles can cause damage to your tires with each impact.
• Don’t overload: You may have loads of space in your trunk, but your car is only capable of withstanding so much pressure from weight. If you’re thinking about moving lots of belongings or hauling a piece of furniture in your passenger vehicle, check the weight against your car’s capacity. Overloading can put too much pressure on the tires, causing failure immediately or down the road.
• Change out old tires: Most tires should be changed after they’ve been driven over 50,000 miles, if not sooner. If you haven’t changed your tires in years, you should switch them out as soon as possible. Very old tires will become stripped, becoming weaker and more susceptible to blowing out on the road.

What to do if your tire blows out

Unfortunately, not all tire blowouts can be avoided. If you notice a loud bang and a sudden disruption in your driving, your tire may have blown. It’s very important to remain calm and safely get your car to the side of the road. Put on your hazard lights to signal to other cars that something is wrong.

Avoid slamming on the brakes, or you may lose control of the vehicle. Instead, gently tap the brakes to slow down gradually while steering straight ahead. When it is safe to do so, pull your car to the side of the road.

Once you’re on the side of the road, call for emergency towing in Greeley, CO. A professional can help you get your car back to safety and into a repair shop to address any damage and replace the tire.

If you find yourself stuck on the side of the road thanks to a vehicle accident or problem, call Superior Towing. Our WreckMaster certified professionals can handle just about any towing job, 24/7. We also offer vehicle accident recovery and roadside assistance.

Categorised in: Emergency Towing, Roadside Assistance

This post was written by Writer