How to Handle a Tire Blowout

A tire blowout, by its nature, will surprise you and may lead to a serious accident. But it doesn't have to: being mentally prepared for a tire blowout--knowing how to react and control your impulses--will improve your chances of maintaining control after the blowout. Protect your car and its passengers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands and try to hold a straight course. Slowly let up off the gas pedal after the tire blowout to gradually decrease your speed.

2. Ease your foot onto the brake to further slow down. Do not slam on the brakes or try to stop quickly after a blowout; it will increase your chances of losing control.

3. Turn on your signal and drift toward the side of the road, making no sudden turns of the steering wheel to get out of the way of traffic. Get as far off the road as possible, and, ideally, come to rest along a highly visible section of the road shoulder.

4. Park your car and turn on its hazard lights to alert passing traffic. Keep an eye on approaching vehicles and avoid standing on the side of the car facing the road.

5. Change the tire if you have a spare or call for roadside assistance from AAA or another towing service. If you do change the tire, and you have a passenger with you, have him keep a close watch on traffic to provide you some protection. Consider using warning markers or flares up the road from your car to give approaching vehicles extra warning.

Resources

• Find information on emergency road service from AAA.