For every driver, a tire blowout is one of the worst nightmares while driving. It poses driving risks leading to accidents and also additional expenses.
It’s an occurrence that tires tend to flex past their limits, which leads to the rubber getting loose. Such a condition causes underinflation, and tires get blown out. The loss of air in the tire over time makes the pathway easier for the tire to get blown.
The consequences of such issues can go either way. So, to get some automotive knowledge and to stay one step ahead, let us start our discussion.
Overview of The Tire Components
A tire might look simple, but several components are aligned together. That said, any of these components deteriorating makes the tires prone to potential failure or bursting.
Let us have a look at these crucial components below:
Tread
The rubber layer that directly interacts with the road surface is known as the tread. It’s thick and highly resistant to wear caused by continuous friction. That said, the thickness of the tread is influenced by the type and usage functionality of the tire.
The tread comprises multiple components such as tread blocks, grooves, bars, etc. It encompasses the whole tire and is highly responsible for maintaining its grip while the vehicle is running.
The tread types can highly impact your driving performance and steering handling. Moreover, tread wear is the most common reason behind tire bursts.
Bead
Beads on the tires focus on air leak prevention. It is a part of the tire associated with the rim and gets well-fitted around it. To make it easier for you, it’s simply the edge of the tire that sits on the rim.
Tires don’t slide out from the trims just because of these beads. It prevents deflation and is crucial in maintaining the air pressure inside.
Sidewall
The main function of this tire component is to secure the cord body. It works in the way of preventing damage from any cuts or wear.
For a superior riding experience, the height of the sidewall matters, and it ensures that the tire overcomes all road irregularities.
Moreover, the tire must have a proper sidewall height for a smooth drive. Incompatible height might result in causing adversities in vehicle suspension.
Belt Plies
These are under the tire’s tread and are responsible for stabilizing the tire. As layers of cords, these are mostly made of steel. These belt plies mainly ensure the tire tread’s stability and strength.
What Are The Reasons Behind Tires Blowing Out?
Experiencing blown-out tires is risky while driving and can be more troublesome when you don’t have a spare tire. Several reasons might be the root of this problem. We’ll be reviewing these reasons and have more insights in the section below:
Uneven Tread
Irregular or uneven treads in the tire make the tire susceptible to a blowout. It decreases the tire’s lifespan and makes it wear out fast.
It often puts extra pressure on the already worn-out spot. That eventually results in the tire bursting from the already damaged part.
Tire Underinflation
If tires lack air, they will likely burst while running. You’ll notice that a side of the tire seems thinner when it’s in contact with the road surface.
The continuous friction stretches and damages the tire rubber, eventually leading to tire bursts.
Worn-Out Tire
Old tires are already used up and prone to burst out. Continuous usage of old tires isn’t a good practice, and you must avoid it. These tires have a certain lifespan which varies depending on their type.
Each tire type usually lasts 40000-50000 miles on average. If your tires have already covered that distance, it’s at risk of blowing out.
Overloading
Your vehicle has a particular capacity that it can handle smoothly. But when you put things beyond the vehicle’s weight limit, it will cause issues.
If you are going on a trip or vacation, it doesn’t mean that you should take extra things that will stress the tires.
Even if the tires aren’t in a condition of blowing, the extra stress on them will put them at risk. As a result, the weakest tire will get blown out first.
Road Hazards
The roads on which we drive are only sometimes smooth as we expect. The road’s debris and potholes are detrimental to the tires. Once you run over them, it is most likely the rubber tires will have punctures.
The result is the tires getting burst right there. On the other hand, if you are fortunate enough, you won’t be in such a risky situation. But the damage sustained makes the tire prone to blowing.
Environmental Factors
The excessive heat in summer causes the building up of heat inside already under-inflated tires. In such a situation, the heated exterior and heat inside cause a worse scenario.
That said, if you run your vehicle at a very high speed, the situation might even lead to crashes.
Signs Or Symptoms of Tire Blowing Out
Tire failures are usual in vehicles, so you must know certain indications of future problems. Let us know some of the common signs that mean a possible tire blowout:
- Visible cuts and cracks on the sidewalls
- Tread wear depth below 2/32-inch
- Increased tire vibration while driving
- Presence of blisters or bulges in the sidewalls
- Tires getting under inflated too often
- Presence of tire bubbles on the rubber surface
- Tires shedding layers (Mostly in the case of truck tires)
What Should You Do When Your Tire Blows Out?
A tire blowing out in the middle of driving isn’t always something that you can prevent beforehand. Sometimes it is just an accident rather than your negligence. In this regard, here are the things you can do for damage control:
- Avoid panicking, as it would only make the situation worse
- Ensure that you have the highest control over your steering wheel
- Avoid slamming the brakes continuously, as it would ruin the balance of the vehicle
- Slow down the vehicle by slowly letting the foot off your accelerator
- Turn on the safety signal to let the other vehicles around you know your condition
- Set the parking brake once you are fully safe and still
Tips to Avoid Tire Blowouts
Proper maintenance is always the key to avoiding any tire blowouts. Below here are some tips that’ll help you avoid such issues:
- Track the tire pressure regularly and make it a part of your maintenance routine
- Avoid the loads that are way beyond your vehicle’s capacity
- Don’t over-inflate the tire, as it can be one of the reasons for blowouts.
- Keep track of the mileage covered and your tire lifespan
- Buy tires that are mostly compatible with your vehicles and roads you will cover