What Causes Tire Blowouts on Highways?
3 Answers
Highway tire blowouts can be caused by over-tightened brakes, underinflated tires, improperly adjusted brakes, etc. The specific reasons are as follows: Over-tightened brakes: Drivers often adjust the brakes too tightly before long-distance trips, causing the brake pads to overheat due to friction during driving and leading to tire blowouts. Underinflated tires: Before entering the highway, some vehicles have underinflated tires, which can cause prolonged friction with the road surface, generating heat and resulting in tire blowouts. Improperly adjusted brakes: If the brakes are not adjusted correctly, with one side tighter than the other, it can cause uneven friction on the tires—one side rubbing while the other does not. This imbalance can also generate excessive heat, leading to tire blowouts, especially common in vehicles used for long-distance travel.
I've encountered tire blowouts on the highway several times, and based on my experience, it's mainly due to tire issues. For example, tire aging - after five years, the rubber becomes brittle and prone to cracking; or severe tire wear, where the tread is almost worn out, leading to insufficient grip and potential accidents. There's also the issue of tire pressure - when the pressure is too low, the tire sidewalls repeatedly flex and overheat, which can cause a blowout after just half an hour of highway driving. Of course, nails or deep potholes on the road can also cause sudden blowouts. Therefore, it's essential to check tire condition and pressure before hitting the highway, especially during the hot summer months.
I once had a near accident due to a tire blowout on the highway. The mechanic later explained that abnormal tire pressure is the main cause of blowouts. If the pressure is too high, the tire bulges like a balloon while driving, making it prone to bursting when hitting sharp objects or under high road temperatures. Low tire pressure is even more dangerous, as it increases deformation and friction-generated heat, causing the rubber to soften to its limit and eventually burst. Overloading or frequent hard braking leading to excessive tire heat are also contributing factors. Since then, I've developed the habit of using a tire pressure gauge before long trips to ensure all four tires have consistent pressure, including the spare tire. In summer, stopping at service areas every two hours during highway driving to let the tires cool down is a safer practice.
