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A Tire-Some Blow

Imagine minding your business, driving in the middle of the night, and then suddenly there’s a rapid, explosive sound coming from your car and within minutes there’s a sudden jerk forcing you to pull to one side. You have just successfully imagined yourself experiencing a tire blowout. However, not many drivers are as fortunate as you are to just leave it as an imagined scenario, they live to tell the unfortunate tale of that scenario. Today could even be your first time experiencing it but it doesn’t mean that it’ll be your last. So, that’s why it’s important to be in the know of what causes a tire blowout and how to prevent it from happening as much as possible.

What Causes Tire Blowouts?

Tires are made of rubber, which means that when it’s the hotter season there will be a definite influx of the number of tire blowouts because of the increase in pressure of the material. The increased skid marks on roads are all the evidence that you need. Heat is just one of the many factors that contribute to a potential tire blowout, several others will be detailed below.

Underinflation

This is one of the main reasons behind everyday tire blowouts. It’s the easiest way to damage a tire. Lack of a sufficient amount of air pressure will cause the internal components of a tire to fail. That is why it’s always advisable to consistently check your tire pressure or to get a professional to do it for you if you have no idea how to do it yourself.

Potholes

Living in a first-world country doesn’t guarantee that you won’t bump into a pothole or two. The privilege of driving mostly on smooth roads means that you are most likely to be oblivious to potholes when they do occur. The impact of hitting a pothole at high speed is enough to damage a tire completely.

Wear and Tear

Many drivers love to use the good old “I know my car” phrase, but this isn’t the same as figuring out how much gas is enough for a few miles. Having this attitude with a worn-out tire is the surest way to have a tire blowout. So, please don’t be THAT driver who thinks they have their car all figured.

Overload

This is another mistake that drivers make, especially during those long trips during the peak holiday season. The excessive amount of pressure from all the luggage is a definite no-no, it will cause a terrible tire blowout to your destination. Avoid this by all means possible.

Prevention and Reaction

Prevention surely is better than cure, in this case, it is better to be safe than sorry. Always check the tire pressure, diligence is key. Stay cautious on every road because city roads can also be deceiving. It is always advisable to remember to stay calm when faced with a tire blowout incident and to inform other road users of your dilemma. Insurance is a great investment to handle the nitty-gritty of the aftermath of a seriously damaged tire. Finally, it is worth noting that there isn’t s guaranteed way of avoiding bursting a tire, sometimes luck has a little to do with it.

Eric Sara
the authorEric Sara