Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Blowouts: Keep cool in hot situations
The key to dealing with blowouts is to maintain control and avoid sudden changes in speed or position.
Blowouts affect your control
A front tire blowout is particularly dangerous because it will cause your vehicle to pull in the direction of the blown-out tire. A rear tire blowout will cause the back of your vehicle to fishtail. In either case, make sure you keep control of your vehicle while gradually slowing down.
Don’t brake right away
Take your foot off the gas and let the vehicle slow down. Once you have control of the vehicle, you can brake gradually, then steer carefully onto the roadside.
Prevent blowouts
Most blowouts can be avoided by regularly inspecting your tires for cracks, bald spots and uneven wear. When a tire is wearing out, replace it. Check your tire pressure regularly to ensure they are properly inflated to provide the best possible traction.
Keep your head in all emergencies
If weather, fog, dust or smoke causes a sudden loss of visibility, follow the same procedure as for a blowout. Keep control of your vehicle, take your foot off the gas and slow down gradually. Carefully steer onto the shoulder of the road and wait for visibility to improve.
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- Blow-outs in Driving Tips
- Tire Inflation in Driving Tips
- You can access the 60-Second Driver video on Blow-outs directly
