How to Handle a Rear Tire Blowout While Driving?
2 Answers
Methods to handle a rear tire blowout while driving: Never slam on the brakes. Instead, gradually correct the steering while applying intermittent braking until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. The correct procedure for a tire blowout is: firmly grip the steering wheel, adjust the direction, smoothly bring the vehicle to a halt or use engine braking, and apply intermittent braking as needed to decelerate until the vehicle stops. Sudden braking during a rear tire blowout can cause fishtailing. If fishtailing occurs, steer in the direction of the fishtail to regain control and avoid oversteering or understeering. A tire blowout refers to the phenomenon where a tire suddenly loses air due to rupture in an extremely short time (usually less than 0.1 seconds), leading to a flat tire. It is one of the frequent accidents in automobiles, mostly caused by improper tire maintenance by the owner.
A rear tire blowout is indeed terrifying. Having encountered similar situations over decades of driving, my first reaction is to steady the steering wheel and stay calm. A burst rear tire will cause the car to wobble but not lose control. Avoid slamming the brakes or jerking the wheel—instead, gently press the brake pedal to slow down while turning on the hazard lights and gradually coasting to the shoulder. Once stopped, immediately engage the parking brake, check for traffic before exiting, and place a warning triangle 50 meters away. If you have a spare tire, change it on level ground; otherwise, prioritize safety and call roadside assistance. Regularly check tire pressure and tread wear, especially in hot weather, and never overlook this before long trips—small oversights can lead to disaster. Safe driving saves lives, so keep an emergency kit stocked with essential tools.
