Posted under Car Tires

So, you’re just driving along when suddenly you hear – and feel – a loud boom! coming from one of your tires. Now you’re slowing down and feeling your car pulling towards one side. 

Chances are, you’ve just had a tire blowout (or a popped tire). So, what should you do if you have a tire blowout? 

First Things First – Don’t Panic.

Your number one priority should be staying safe while keeping control of your vehicle. Start by following these steps: 

  • Stay calm (trust us, you are not the first person to pop a tire!)
  • Don’t step on the brakes! We know the urge is there, but try not to brake or overcorrect the     steering wheel, as this will cause your wheels to lock up and may lead to a total loss of control.
  • Accelerate slightly and steer as straight as possible.
  • Start slowing down by gently removing your foot from the accelerator pedal.
  • Turn on your emergency flashers.
  • Steer towards the shoulder of the road and pull over when it’s safe.
  • At this point, you’ll need to either change your tire — if you have the space to safely do so — or call a towing company.


What Caused Your Tire To Blow Out?

Many blowouts are caused by underinflated tires. When the air pressure is too low, the tire may flex beyond its limits and overheat – causing the rubber to lose its bond to the tire’s internal fabric and steel cord reinforcement.

While blowouts can happen at any speed, they occur more often when you’re driving fast. There’s less chance in stop-and-go driving because the tires are turning slower and not building up as much heat. 

How To Help Prevent A Tire Blowout:

Insufficient air pressure and failing to rotate your tires can lead to wear on the tread, a flat tire, or even a blowout. Checking tread wear and performing routine tire inspections can go a long way when reducing tire wear and tear, and helping you avoid that scary moment when you have to think fast and wonder what should you do if you have a tire blowout.

Tire maintenance is not just essential for safety but also for your wallet, helping you save on the overall costs that come with owning a vehicle – a win-win! 

Maintaining Proper Air Pressure Is The Most Important Part Of Taking Care Of Your Tires.

So, you should monitor your tire pressure regularly and make sure it complies with the recommended pounds per square inch (PSI) for your vehicle. 

  • Jiffy Lube® recommends checking tire pressure when the tires are cold or first thing in the morning to get an accurate reading.  
  • You can usually find the recommended PSI for your tires on the sticker inside your driver’s side door, and it’s also listed in the owner’s manual. 
  • Following the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEMs) recommendations allows a vehicle to retain its designed steering, suspension, fuel economy, and braking performance. In other words, follow the directions and you’ll get the most out of your vehicle! 
     

When you bring your car, truck, SUV or mini-van to any of the 2,000+ Jiffy Lube locations nationwide, expect a trained Jiffy Lube technician to inspect your tire treads (both depth and condition), tire sidewalls (both inner and outer), and tire pressure – which is checked and adjusted to reflect the recommended pressure from the manufacturer. 
 

Jiffy Lube technician using a machine to balance a vehicle's tire, which helps prevent a tire

So let’s review what should you do if you have a tire blowout: Stay calm, find a way to pull off the road safely, change your tire or call an expert to help. And remember, it’s easier to prevent the problem than recover from it, so practice smart tire maintenance with the help of the pros at Jiffy Lube.

Read More About It.

Learn more about total tire care here.
                
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Please note: Not all services are offered at each Jiffy Lube® location. Please check with your local Jiffy Lube service center or visit jiffylube.com for specific services offered.