Your tires are the foundation of your vehicle. They decide the qualify of your trip and the level of safety you’ll have while you’re traveling. A tire blowout is a frightening situation that can cause you and your passengers emotional, psychological, and physical damage. The following are five common reasons for tire blowout and some tips on what you can do to prevent it from happening to you.
Random Road Debris
Sometimes, tire blowouts aren’t anyone’s fault. Drivers run over broken glass on the highway or nails on the street. There’s nothing you can do to prevent such an occurrence. However, you can check your tire pressure and your tires’ condition before you take your car on a long trip. Look for bubbles in the tires, partial flatness in one or more tires, exposed wires, and the like. Take your vehicle to a tire shop right away if you notice something off about your tires. You’ll be glad you took the initiative before you popped your tire while driving.
Improper Inflation
Improper inflation is another reason that people have tire blowouts. Each tire has a specific PSI that the manufacturer recommends. Inflating your tires too much above or below the recommended PSI will leave your tires vulnerable to blowouts. You can find the proper PSI on the sidewall of the tire or the manufacturer’s site. You can always take your vehicle to a mechanic or a tire shop if you don’t feel comfortable filling your tires up with air yourself. It’s always better to be safe than sorry in a situation like that.
Low Tread
Low tread is another reason that blowouts occur. That’s why manufacturers provide specifications to let their customers know how long their tires will last. You can end up having a blowout if you do not change your tires at the appropriate time. Low tread can also make you susceptible to hydroplaning and other dangerous situations. A tire shop can measure the tread you have left on your tires. Many tire shops recommend that you buy new tires if your tread is less than 2/32nds of an inch.
Alignment Issues
Wheel alignment is another issue that can cause you to have a tire blowout. You should have a wheel alignment done to your vehicle at least once every 7,500 miles. You run the risk of having your tires worn unevenly if you skip the alignments. You can experience a tire blowout if one side of your tire wears much faster than the other side. Again, it’s advisable to contact a tire shop or a mechanic’s shop to find out when you need to get your wheel alignment. Stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations and take your vehicle in when you’re supposed to.
Manufacturer Defects
In some cases, people have tire blowouts because of a manufacturer defect. That means something went wrong with the engineering during the manufacturing process. Tires usually come with a warranty. However, a customer may need to take some other recourse if a blowout occurs, and injuries occur because of it. An accident victim might be eligible to file for a personal injury suit. The suit’s money can cover that person’s medical bills, auto repairs, cost of living, and the like. You can contact a personal injury lawyer in the area if you experience a tire blowout because of a manufacturer defect. You may be entitled to a free consultation.
Be Mindful of Your Tires
Now you know five reasons that tires blowout. Ensure that you always stay mindful of your tires’ condition and take steps to fix a problem if you notice one.
