Is Emergency Braking Correct When a Tire Blows Out?

[McGage]

In the event of a tire blowout, never apply emergency braking. If you brake suddenly at this moment, the front of the car may spin 180 degrees, and if the following vehicle cannot brake in time, a serious traffic accident may occur. The correct approach is to hold the steering wheel steady, then repeatedly tap the brakes, turn on the hazard lights, check the rearview mirror, and if there are no vehicles behind, slowly move the car toward the shoulder to safely park there. Below is related information about tire blowouts: 1. Tire Blowout Scenarios: (1) When it is determined that a front tire has blown out, first grip the steering wheel firmly, remember not to adjust the direction randomly, wait until the direction stabilizes, then slowly apply the brakes to reduce the vehicle speed, gently steer the wheel to pull over, and set up a triangular warning sign about 100-200 meters behind the vehicle. (2) If a rear tire blows out, the vehicle's tendency to veer off course will be less pronounced. In this case, ease off the accelerator, gently apply the brakes, control the direction, and slowly pull over to the side, setting up a triangular warning sign about 100-200 meters behind the vehicle. 2. Precautions: A tire blowout while driving is actually very dangerous, so it's important to regularly check the actual condition of the tires. Periodically inspect the tire wear; if the wear reaches the tire warning indicator, replace the tire as soon as possible. Before driving, check the tire pressure to ensure it is within the normal range, as both overinflation and underinflation can be causes of tire blowouts. If cracks appear on the tire surface, consult a professional technician for remedial measures or to replace the tire.

[McKarter]

Last time I had a tire blowout on the highway, I was so scared I almost slammed on the brakes. Luckily, my instructor had warned me never to do that! When a tire blows out, the car can suddenly lose control. If you brake hard, the uneven friction between the tires and the road can make the car spin or even roll over. I remember that time I had a blowout on the national highway—I gripped the steering wheel tightly as the car wobbled left and right like it was drunk. I gradually eased off the accelerator, letting the speed drop naturally, then lightly tapped the brakes. Only when the speed dropped below 40 km/h did I dare to slowly pull over. The worst thing after a blowout is panicking—sudden steering or hard braking will definitely lead to trouble. I recommend everyone regularly check tire wear and pressure, especially before long trips. If a blowout happens, staying calm is key. Turn on your hazard lights to let other drivers know you’re in trouble.

[ODelaney]

As a frequent visitor to auto repair shops, I've witnessed too many tragic scenes of hard braking after a tire blowout. The sudden shift in the vehicle's center of gravity during a blowout, combined with hard braking, leads to uneven brake force distribution, causing the tires on one side to lose grip and the car to spin out. Last week, a car hit the guardrail directly after hard braking due to a front tire blowout, even deforming the wheel rim. The correct approach is to grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands and try to maintain straight-line driving. Gradually release the throttle to allow engine braking to slow the car naturally, and only apply gentle brakes once the vehicle stabilizes. Remember not to swerve to avoid obstacles, as this can easily cause a rollover. I always keep a tire pressure monitor in my car and check the tires monthly. If you hear unusual noises on the highway, stay alert and slow down in advance to inspect at a service area.

[VeraRose]

During driving lessons, the instructor repeatedly emphasized: the first reaction to a tire blowout is not to brake! Once, while driving my family's old car, the rear tire suddenly blew out, causing the car to shake violently. Remembering the instructor's advice, I firmly gripped the steering wheel, moved my foot from the accelerator to the brake but didn't press it. At the time, the car was traveling at 80 km/h, and it coasted for about 200 meters before slowing down to a safe speed. Throughout the entire process, I didn't even dare to breathe heavily, fearing the car would lose control. A tire blowout instinctively makes people want to hit the brakes, which is exactly the most dangerous reaction. Nowadays, new cars come with tire pressure monitoring systems, but it's best to install an external sensor for older vehicles. Tire repair fluid is only for emergencies; in case of a real blowout, you still need to change to the spare tire. Remember: steering takes priority over braking, staying steady is the key to survival.