Why Tire Blowouts Happen and How You Can Avoid Them

One of the most dangerous things that can happen is a tire blowout. Control of a vehicle with a blown-out tire is exceptionally difficult, and if it occurs on the highway at high speeds, it endangers other cars on the road.

Stay safe while driving by learning why tire blowouts happen and how to avoid them in the future.

Improper PSI Pressure

Perhaps the most common reason for a tire blowout is that the tire is either underinflated or overinflated. But typically, it’s because it’s underinflated. There’s a reason that vehicle manufacturers have a recommended tire pressure for drivers—it ensures that the vehicle’s weight has an even distribution between the front and rear tires.

When tires are underinflated, the inner components, such as the fabric and rubber, flex beyond their limits, weakening their integrity and making them more likely to fail. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest things to prevent. Just regularly check and correct your tire pressure. If you don’t know your vehicle’s recommended tire PSI, check the owner’s manual or vehicle information printed on the driver-side doorjamb.

Pro-Tip: Many vehicles have different recommended PSIs for their front and rear tires, so double-check that you’re inflating the tires correctly for their specific position.

Weight Overload

Another typical culprit for a tire blowout is the vehicle’s weight. Remember that while your truck bed may boast about how much it can haul in its payload, you’ll want to double-check that the tires can handle the weight.

Especially if the tires are old, worn, or underinflated, the extra weight of a heavy payload can push them past their limits and cause a blowout while driving. The load capacity of your tire is on its sidewall. You’ll have to look up the meaning behind the printed code. Before you haul any excessively heavy load, make sure that your tires are in quality condition and can handle it.

Careless Driving

Sometimes, it’s not the tire’s fault that a blowout occurs—it’s the driver’s. Many things can degrade a tire’s integrity, from the road temperature to potholes and debris. If a driver doesn’t drive carefully, all of these can weaken a tire to the point that it suddenly blows out.

Accelerating too quickly, braking too hard, and taking corners too fast can wear down the tires’ tread and make them susceptible to punctures. So keep an eye on the road and take it easy on the gas and brake pedals to preserve your tires and stay safe.

Conclusion

Those are just a few ways tire blowouts can happen, but the key to avoiding them and other issues is to always stay diligent and drive safely. Regularly check the tread and PSI of your tires before driving, and stay away from those potholes!