What to Do When a Tire Blows Out While Driving?
2 Answers
Solutions for a tire blowout while driving: 1. When you realize a tire has blown out, grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands and try to prevent it from turning on its own, keeping the car moving straight in the original direction; 2. While maintaining control of the steering, quickly shift to a lower gear to use the engine's braking effect to slow down the vehicle. Avoid using the brake to stop the car until the engine braking has sufficiently controlled the speed, to prevent the vehicle from skidding sideways or rolling over; 3. Apply the brake gently to slow down gradually and pull over to the side of the road slowly; 4. Turn on the hazard warning lights immediately and place a warning sign to avoid collisions from vehicles behind; 5. Do not abruptly turn the steering wheel to change direction; 6. Avoid slamming on the brakes, as this may cause loss of control or a rollover due to a shift in the vehicle's center of gravity.
Experiencing a tire blowout can indeed be terrifying. I once encountered it on the highway—the car suddenly veered to one side accompanied by a loud bang. In such a situation, the most important thing is to stay calm and not panic. Keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel to prevent loss of control, release the accelerator to let the vehicle slow down naturally, and avoid slamming on the brakes. Instead, gently tap the brakes a few times to gradually reduce speed. Once you’ve slowly pulled over to the roadside or emergency stopping lane, immediately turn on the hazard warning lights, retrieve the warning triangle from the trunk, and place it at least 50 meters away to alert other drivers. If you have a spare tire and tools, and the location is safe, proceed to change the tire: first loosen the nuts, then use the jack to lift the car, remove the blown tire, replace it with the spare, and tighten the nuts. However, changing a tire on the highway is highly risky, so it’s better to call for roadside assistance or the police. To minimize the chances of a blowout, make it a habit to regularly check tire wear and pressure before driving, and avoid heavy loads or high-speed driving.
