How to Handle a Tire Blowout at High Speed?
3 Answers
Methods to handle a tire blowout at high speed: 1. If the front tire blows out, firmly grip the steering wheel to adjust the car's direction. Avoid repeatedly jerking the steering wheel or slamming on the brakes. Wait for the vehicle to gradually slow down before gently steering to a stop. Then, set up a warning triangle behind the car to prevent secondary accidents. 2. If the rear tire blows out, ease off the accelerator and downshift to bring the car to a slow stop. To ensure even tire wear on the same vehicle, rotate the tires every 5,000 kilometers and perform a four-wheel alignment every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers to avoid abnormal or excessive tire wear. Additionally, do not install tires of different models or with significant differences in wear on the same axle.
Don't panic if you have a tire blowout on the highway! As a driver who has witnessed this situation firsthand, you should grip the steering wheel like holding an egg—never loosen your grip. Immediately lift your right foot off the accelerator, but avoid touching the brake pedal, letting the car slow down gradually by inertia. Only when the speed drops below 60 km/h can you gently apply the brakes, while turning on the hazard lights and slowly moving toward the emergency lane. After stopping, immediately turn on the hazard lights, and everyone should exit the vehicle, climb over the guardrail, and place the warning triangle 150 meters away. Remember, never attempt to change a tire on the highway yourself—last time, my friend was nearly hit by a truck while changing a tire in the emergency lane. Just call 122 and wait for the rescue vehicle to arrive safely.
Having experienced two tire blowouts myself, I know all too well that when a tire bursts, the steering wheel suddenly jerks as if some strange force is trying to wrestle control away from you. At this moment, you need to use all your strength to stabilize the steering, applying slight counter-correction but not too aggressively. Whatever you do, don't hit the brakes—otherwise, you might end up like my cousin who crashed straight into the guardrail. While easing off the accelerator to let the car slow down naturally, keep your eyes glued to the rearview mirror to check for any approaching trucks. After stopping, pay special attention: you must evacuate to the outside of the guardrail. That guy in the news who was making a call next to his car got rear-ended—it was brutal. When a tire blows out, the rim grinds directly against the road, and continuing to drive will completely ruin the entire wheel.
