Have you ever experienced car trouble while driving? If not, then consider yourself lucky. However, it does not mean you should not take precautions because no matter how good of a driver you are, mishaps can hit you straight in the face before you even know it.
Emergencies are inevitable while driving no matter how cautious and safe you may think you are in handling your vehicle. A good example would be to have a tire blowout while on the road. It is probably one of the most dangerous things to ever occur during your trip.
If you are a driver, you ought to know the things to do when emergencies come along the way, especially tire blowout safety tips.
Dealing with Blowout
For drivers, having a blowout when on the road is not the most pleasant scenario. If this ever happens, the most important thing to do is to stay calm. A lot worse can happen if you let fright take over your senses. If you have a blowout while driving, you should:
Never Slam on the Brake
When a tire on your car blows out, one of the first things you will notice is a vibration. Then, the car will swerve towards the side where the blown-out tire is.
The first thing you must remember in your tire blowout to-dos is NOT to hit the brakes. Doing so will result in a loss of full control. Instead, accelerate slowly and get a firm grip on the steering wheel to avoid it from going sideways.
Gently Release the Accelerator
The next thing you must do is to release the accelerator slowly and gently. A sudden release will take your car to a halt, the same effect as hitting the breaks. Turn your emergency lights on to let other drivers on the road know that you are currently dealing with something in your car.
Do not Make Sudden Swerves
Do not force your car to go in the direction that you want after a tire blowout. Grip the steering wheel firmly but do not force it to serve according to your favor. Steer gently until the car is at a full halt. Make sure to pull over somewhere safe.
Wait Until the Car Fully Stops
A step-by-step guideline on how to handle tire blowouts gives us an actual demonstration of the right ways to handle this type of road emergency.
Note: If you are positive that your car is already in full halt and you have pulled over to the safe side of the road, you may finally step outside.
How do You Prevent a Tire Blowout?
These are basic but important things you need to remember when dealing with the tire blowout. The road can be very dangerous; focus and safety precautions are a must to stay safe. Moreover, prevention is always the best.
There are guides that give us tire blowout prevention tips that you can do to keep your wheels in shape including the following.
1) Regular tire pressure checkup – proper tire regulation is one of the most important things to consider in keeping tires from blowing out. Check your tire’s pressure with a tire pressure gauge at least once a month.
Note: If air pressure is too low, you need to fill it out. Tires with insufficient air pressure tend to work harder which may result for it to overheat and blow out.
2) Replace tires regularly – According to Toolsinstitute.com, it is recommended to replace tires once uneven tread wear is noticed. The tire replacement schedule depends on how often you drive and the distance your car usually runs.
3) Monitor tire’s appearance – keep an eye on any signs of wear and tear and other tire deformities as it may also result in a tire blowout.
4) Avoid overloading – excessive weight can put too much pressure on your tires which is obviously one of the biggest factors for it to blow out. It is recommended to stick with your car manufacturer’s suggested weight limit.
Conclusion
There you go! Those are the things you need to keep in mind when you are in trouble with your tires. Remember, if you have a blowout while driving, you should, first and foremost, stay calm and stay focused on the road. All of these tips become pointless once your mind becomes occupied with fear and you start panicking.
Always bear in mind to not slam on the brakes nor quickly release the accelerator. Everything will eventually slow down, and you’ll be able to pull over on the safe side.
Having a good grasp of the things to do during a tire blowout or any other emergency always comes in handy. Remember, it can happen to you or anybody, and your knowledge can be yours or someone else’s life-saver.