What to Do When a Tire Blows Out?
3 Answers
How to handle a tire blowout: 1. Control the steering wheel; when the vehicle starts to veer, avoid overcorrecting. Instead, maintain control of the direction while allowing the vehicle to slow down gradually. 2. Try to keep the vehicle moving straight, then release the accelerator and use gentle braking or no braking at all, waiting for the vehicle to come to a slow stop. 3. Attempt to park the vehicle in a relatively safe location, turn on the hazard lights, and place a warning triangle behind the vehicle. Continuing to drive with a blown-out tire can damage the vehicle's suspension and drivetrain systems, as well as deform the wheel rim. Due to the loss of tire support, the stability of the vehicle body is severely compromised, making it highly prone to traffic accidents.
I've been driving for almost twenty years and have experienced several tire blowouts. The most important thing is not to panic. Once you feel something is wrong, immediately turn on the hazard lights, grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands, and gradually slow down to pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road—never stop in the middle of a highway. After stopping, place a warning triangle about 50 meters behind the car. Then, get out and inspect the damaged tire; if the damage isn’t severe, you can attempt to change it to the spare tire. I remember one time during heavy rain when I had a blowout—I had to be extra careful with the jack to ensure the ground wasn’t soft. First, loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car, and when installing the spare, tighten the nuts in stages with proper force. After changing, drive slowly at first, as spare tires aren’t meant for long-term use, and keep the speed below 80 km/h. Checking tire pressure and tread wear before every trip can help prevent such incidents. Ignoring a blown tire is dangerous, so act immediately if it happens. It’s also useful to keep some emergency tools in the car—they really come in handy.
If you have a flat tire, don't hesitate—turn on your hazard lights immediately and find a safe place to pull over, ensuring a safe distance. Place the warning triangle at an appropriate distance behind your car to alert other drivers. Changing a spare tire yourself is straightforward: Open the trunk and take out the tools, including the wrench and jack. Loosen all the lug nuts but don't remove them completely, then lift the car with the jack until the wheel is off the ground. Remove the flat tire and install the spare. Tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to ensure even pressure. Once done, pack up the tools and drive slowly to a repair shop for a check-up. If you're unsure how to change a tire, stay in your car and wait for roadside assistance—call 12122 for help. Regularly check your tire tread depth and pressure, as both underinflation and overinflation can lead to blowouts. Make it a habit to prevent issues. Also, periodically inspect your toolkit to ensure nothing is missing—it could save your life in a pinch.
