What are the wrong practices when a vehicle has a tire blowout?
3 Answers
When a vehicle experiences a tire blowout, the wrong practices are jerking the steering wheel and slamming on the brakes. When encountering a sudden tire blowout at high speed, the first thing to do is to grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands to stabilize the direction, followed by controlling the braking force to gradually reduce the speed. For manual transmission or semi-automatic vehicles, forced downshifting can be used to decelerate with the engine. Consequences of jerking the steering wheel and slamming on the brakes during a tire blowout: Drivers often attempt to steer to control the vehicle direction during a blowout, unaware that the direction is largely uncontrollable at that moment. Jerking the steering wheel can cause the vehicle to lose control, leading to a high risk of skidding. Slamming on the brakes during a blowout can also lock up the already uncontrollable tires, resulting in loss of steering control and increasing the likelihood of collisions with guardrails or nearby vehicles. Summer tire blowout prevention tips: High summer temperatures cause tire temperatures to rise, softening the rubber and potentially leading to tire overheating or even burning. Driving at high speeds over hard objects can easily cause a blowout. Regularly check tire pressure while driving. If the tires are overheated or the pressure is too high, park the vehicle in a shaded area to cool down. Avoid dousing with cold water or releasing air, as these actions can lead to blowouts during travel and premature tire damage.
Having driven for many years, I've seen many cases of improper handling during tire blowouts on the road. The most dangerous is slamming on the brakes hard. It feels like the wheels are suddenly yanked, making the car prone to losing control and fishtailing, especially on highways where it can directly cause the car to spin sideways. Some beginners panic and overcorrect by steering sharply, only making the situation worse. In my opinion, during a tire blowout, you should gently tap the brakes, firmly grip the steering wheel to keep the car straight, and wait until the speed drops to a safe range before slowly pulling over. Also, don't forget to turn on the hazard lights and place the triangular warning sign 150 meters away. Never stand on the road to change a tire!
When I first got my driver's license, I was also afraid of tire blowouts. Now I understand that the worst thing to do is slam on the brakes. The moment a tire blows out, the car's center of gravity becomes unbalanced, and sudden braking will only cause the vehicle to shake violently or even roll over. Another common mistake is panicking and oversteering—every steering adjustment should be small and controlled, as large movements can make the car veer unpredictably. I remember once having a blowout during heavy rain; I gradually eased off the accelerator to let the car coast and slow down, taking about 20 seconds longer than usual to stop, but I came to a steady halt in the emergency lane. The most dangerous thing during a blowout is trying to save time by stopping in the middle of the road for repairs—that's gambling with your life!
