How to Handle a Tyre Burst

Co-authored by Simon Miyerov

Last Updated: March 27, 2023 References Approved

There isn't a doubt that a tire blowout ranks the highest on any highway driver’s list of fears. With good reason, as a tire burst could lead to a complete loss of car control. With SUVs and MUVs, there is the possibility of a flip-over, too. A blowout is dangerous no matter how good a driver you are or how safe your car is. Try not to worry, though—we've walked you through exactly what you need to do in the event of a burst tyre.

1

Maintain a safe driving speed.

The lower your speed, the higher your chance of survival. A blowout at 80–90 km/h (50–56 mph) will be far less dramatic than one at 140–150 km/h (87–93 mph). Indeed, if you survive a tire burst at 150 km/h (93 mph), consider it a gift of God.

2

Do not slam on the brake pedal.

Hard braking is actually the worst thing you can do. It will further imbalance the vehicle and throw it out of control.^{[1]
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3

Don’t abruptly take your foot off the accelerator.

Remove your foot from the accelerator slowly and gradually. In fact, Michelin recommends that you maintain accelerator input momentarily, before releasing it slowly. The deceleration force from a blown tire is so strong that your car will anyway slow down rapidly. If you have engaged cruise control, be sure to disengage it immediately.^{[2]
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4

Try your best to keep the vehicle pointed straight.

Cornering or turning with a blown tire will greatly upset the car’s composure. If your car is pulling to one side, you might need to pull the steering in the opposite direction to keep it going straight. This is critical, else you risk drifting into the road divider or worse still, the opposite lane.^{[3]
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5

Do not attempt to over-correct.

The key is to maintain the vehicle’s stability. A sharp yank of the steering wheel can result in a rollover. Even when you have gained control and are slowly moving to a safe parking spot, do so with the mildest steering inputs possible.^{[4]
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6

Allow the vehicle to gradually coast to a stop.

Use engine braking if necessary. Lightly engage the brakes only when your car has decelerated to a slow speed. Use the turn indicators and pull over safely off the road. Drive on the bare metal wheel if you have to, but do not stop in the middle of the road as you run the risk of getting rear-ended by a speeding car. Remember to activate your hazard lights when stopped.^{[5]
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Community Q&A

Question

Do we have to do a wheel alignment after the burst?

Community Answer

Probably. Tires pop with a lot of force, plus any distance traveled immediately after it blew probably put a hurting on your whole steering knuckle.
Question

How can the life of a tire be extended, and what material should be used in manufacturing to prevent under-inflation?

Logic Johnson Lafontaine

Top Answerer

If the tire is already at the end of its tread life, there is nothing that can be done. If you're looking for ways to reduce the wear on still-good tires, the main thing is keeping them well aligned. There is no unique material that prevents under-inflation. Your tire has room in it for x pounds of air pressure no matter how it's constructed. Run-flat tires do have thicker sidewalls that make the tire sag less if it is under-inflated (or losing air).
Question

What happens with an automatic when a tire bursts?

Logic Johnson Lafontaine

Top Answerer

Same thing as a standard. Your car forces you to regain control as it tries to veer to the side where the tire went. The moment of the blowout is the most dangerous because your car could easily swerve sharply and hit something. The trick is, the moment you feel it burst, you quickly jam on the gas (DO NOT TOUCH THE BRAKES), so you have more forward momentum. That way, the car is less likely to jerk itself off course. Once the initial loss of control is avoided, get off the gas (and stay off the brakes), hit your hazards and coast to a safe stop.

Warnings

Concrete roads might make the tire run hotter.

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It is recommended to take a break after every 90 - 120 minutes of driving. This refreshment stop will not only do the driver some good, but also allow the tires, brakes, clutch etc. to cool down. Give your car and tires a visual check during these breaks.

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If your tires are over 5 years / 40,000 kilometers (25,000 mi) old (lesser for performance rubber like the Eagle F1), you should consider replacing them. The older and more worn out your tire is, the higher the chance of a blowout.

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If a tire has suffered sidewall damage, get rid of it. Keep in mind that driving a considerable distance on a puncture can damage the sidewall.

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Avoid approaching the "speed rating" of your tire. If you do a lot of highway traveling, ensure that your tires have a rating well above your average highway speeds.

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Use tubeless tires. The old tube-type tires have a higher chance of a dangerous blowout. Good news is, tubeless tires are OEM fitment on nearly all passenger cars sold today, and the norm in the after-market too.

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Check the air pressure every week or fortnight. This way, a small puncture (also known to cause blowouts) will catch your attention.

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Never overload the vehicle. Ensure that your tires load rating (specified on the sidewall) and vehicle payload capacity are never exceeded.

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Use high quality tires from a reputable brand. Avoid cheap, unknown imports. In addition, never buy used tires or retread your old tires. It must be added that run-flat tires can be lifesavers in a blowout situation.

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If your car is equipped with poorly designed wheel caps, get rid of them. Some wheel caps can actually rub against the sidewall and damage it

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Don’t get temporary or shoddy puncture repair work done. The "mushroom and plug" type repair is the most recommended.

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Check the remaining tread depth (Coin Test for Tyre Wear checking) of your tires. Not only does additional tread depth help prevent punctures, it also greatly helps grip levels. If the tread has worn out, get a new set immediately.

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While tire sealants cannot prevent tire overheating (and eventual blowout), they can fix slow punctures and thus prevent under-inflation.

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Stability Control Programs (e.g. ESP) are lifesavers in a tire burst situation. Consider this when shopping for your next car.

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There is nothing more critical to safe driving than healthy tires. Visually inspect all tires (including the spare). If you spot any bulges or cuts, that is bad news. Tires can also get damaged by impact against curbs, dividers and large potholes.

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Under-inflation is the number one cause of tire bursts. Some studies suggest that it is responsible for 75% of all blowouts. Under-inflated tires suffer from excessive flexing and thus, overheating. Be disciplined in checking the air pressure of all tires (including the spare) before hitting the highway. Always check the pressure when the tires are cold (typically, less than 5 km of recent running). Invest in a high quality pressure gauge as petrol pump readings may be inaccurate.^{[6]
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