What Are the Five Major Signs Before a Car Tire Blowout?

[ElianaLee]

Here are the five major signs before a car tire blowout: 1. Sign one: Cracks on the tire sidewall. Not all problems with tires are concentrated on the tread; the sidewalls can also exhibit some issues. By observing visible cracks and cuts on the tire sidewalls, these small grooves may indicate future air leaks or even worse, tire blowouts. These tire faults should be avoided at all costs. Therefore, when the cracks on the tire sidewalls appear severe, it is best to drive to a repair shop as quickly as possible to replace the tire. 2. Sign two: Tread wear indicators. Newer tires feature a more user-friendly design compared to older models, including tread wear indicators. These indicators are hardly noticeable when the tire is new or has minimal wear, but they become visible once the wear reaches a certain level. 3. Sign three: Excessive vibration and shaking. Some degree of vibration is unavoidable while driving, especially on poor road conditions. Experienced drivers can judge whether the vibration is within a reasonable range or if it indicates a vehicle fault. There are many causes of vehicle vibration, such as axial misalignment or imbalance in the tires, or issues with the shock absorbers. However, vibration can also signal internal tire problems. Even if the tires are not the root cause, prolonged vibration can damage tire performance and lead to tire issues. 4. Sign four: Tread depth. The tread depth must be greater than 1.6 millimeters. If you frequently drive on slippery surfaces with low friction, it is advisable to maintain a tread depth twice that amount. A tread depth gauge can be purchased to measure this accurately. 5. Sign five: Bulges and blisters on the tire. In some cases, the outer surface of the tire may develop bulges or blisters due to insufficient strength, similar to aneurysms in blood vessels. If the vehicle is not promptly taken to a repair shop for inspection, these weak areas on the tire can lead to sudden blowouts, which, at high speeds, may result in severe injuries to the occupants.

[Elaina]

I've been driving for nearly thirty years and have witnessed countless tire blowout accidents. I want to share that there are actually five obvious warning signs before a tire blowout. Uneven tire wear, where one side of the tread wears out much faster or has bulges, is a sign of internal damage; abnormal tire pressure—too low can easily cause overheating, while too high increases the risk of a blowout. That warning light on the dashboard isn’t just for show; if your car shakes or the steering wheel vibrates noticeably, especially at high speeds, it indicates a tire balance issue; unusual noises, like squeaking or humming, different from the norm, should raise alarms; and finally, loss of control—like drifting during turns or skidding when braking, making the car feel hard to handle—means the tire might already be failing. I recommend checking tire pressure and wear monthly and replacing tires when they’re due—don’t delay, safety comes first.