Tire Blowout? Here’s How To Handle It

Have you ever been driving down the road and *BANG*. You start to feel a hard pull on a particular side of your vehicle, either front or back, left or right. Maybe you can’t control your vehicle and you start to panic because you are not sure what to do. This my friend, is a tire blowout. And if you haven’t experienced this, I hope you never do. A blowout can be frightening, especially if it happens when you are traveling at a high speed with traffic surrounding you. Or with little ones in the backseat. This week, we will take a look at how to handle a tire blowout!

A tire blowout has a few distinct sounds that will let you know what you’re experiencing is indeed a blowout. First, you will hear a loud noise, a bang – this is the tire blowing out/ popping. Secondly, you’ll hear a whooshing noise – this is the air escaping from the tire. Thirdly, you will then begin to hear a flapping noise – this is the deflated tire hitting against the roadway. Next, you will begin to feel a strong pull to the side which the tire has blown out.

One of the most important parts in handling a blowout is remaining calm. We know these situations can be very scary, especially if you have passengers or children inside the vehicle with you. But, trust us, if you remain calm through the blowout, you be able to make it to the side of the road safely and without causing harm to yourself or others.

Next, don’t slam on your brake. This is probably the worst reaction you could have when experiencing a blowout. Slamming on your brake pedal can cause an increasingly dangerous situation for yourself as well as other drivers on the roadway. Put your hazards on and let off the gas, with two hands on the wheel firmly steer your vehicle straight and let it slow gradually on its own. When it is safe to do so, make your way to the side of the road.

Eventually, your vehicle will come to a complete stop and you can put your vehicle into park and turn off the engine. When you’ve completed this, make sure it is safe for you to exit the vehicle so you can assess the situation of your tire. If you can safely change your flat, do so. If you are not sure how to change your tire or think you may need assistance, reach out to a friend or to roadside assistance. It’s okay to seek help if you’re unsure how or if you can do something!