What are the causes of tire blowouts on highways?
2 Answers
Highway tire blowouts can be caused by: 1. Overly tight brakes: Drivers often adjust the brakes too tightly before long-distance trips, which can cause the brake pads to overheat due to friction during driving, leading to a blowout. 2. Underinflated tires: Some vehicles have underinflated tires before entering the highway, causing prolonged friction with the ground and overheating, which can result in a blowout. 3. Overly tight front tire brakes: If the front tire brakes are adjusted too tightly, when the driver brakes in an emergency, the massive inertia-generated impact will concentrate on the overly tight tire, making it prone to a blowout. 4. Inaccurate brake adjustment: If the brakes on both sides of the vehicle are uneven—one side tight and the other loose—it can create a situation where one side experiences friction while the other does not, generating high temperatures and overheating, which can also cause a blowout.
Back when I was doing long-haul trucking, I witnessed many tragic high-speed tire blowouts firsthand. Based on my experience, most were caused by improper tire pressure. If the pressure is too low, the tire sidewalls rub and overheat during high-speed turns, making them prone to tearing. Excessive pressure can also cause blowouts on hot road surfaces. Additionally, bald treads or aged/bubbled tires generate excessive heat from high-speed friction, accelerating expansion and rupture. Overloading is especially dangerous as it drastically increases internal tire pressure. For prevention? I strongly recommend checking tire pressure before highway trips - measure accurately when tires are cold, don't trust old dashboard gauges. Carry a spare tire and air pump for emergencies. If a blowout occurs, never slam the brakes - firmly grip the steering wheel and gradually slow down to pull over. For safety, replace tires every five years as routine maintenance.
