What to do if you suffer a tyre blowout while driving

A tyre blowout is one of the most serious emergencies a driver can face on the road. When a tyre suddenly loses its air pressure and support, grip can drop sharply, causing the vehicle to pull violently to one side, sway or even become uncontrollable.

When a blowout happens, staying calm and reacting correctly can make all the difference. Here is a practical guide to preventing tyre blowouts and dealing with one safely if it happens.

What to do in the first few seconds

The first few seconds after a tyre blows are critical. Panic or an instinctive reaction can make the situation worse, so it is important to stay calm and follow the correct procedure.

Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands: A blowout can create a strong imbalance in the vehicle and violently tug at the steering wheel. Keep both hands firmly on the wheel, ideally at the standard 9 and 3 o'clock positions, and do everything possible to keep the vehicle travelling straight.

Do not slam on the brakes: Hard braking at this point can make the difference in braking force between the two sides of the vehicle worse, potentially causing the car to spin, fishtail or even roll over.

Come off the accelerator and let the engine slow the car: Take your right foot completely off the accelerator and allow the car to lose speed naturally through engine braking. Once the vehicle's tendency to pull to one side has been brought under control and its speed has dropped significantly, you can apply the brakes gently and progressively.

Pulling over safely

Once the vehicle has slowed down, getting it safely away from moving traffic is just as important.

Switch on the hazard lights: Turn on the hazard warning lights as soon as you have the vehicle under control. At night, the position lights should also be switched on.

Move smoothly out of the traffic lane: Check the mirrors and surrounding lanes for approaching vehicles. If it is safe to do so, steer gradually towards the hard shoulder, emergency lane or a safe service area.

Get everyone out of the vehicle: Once the car has come to a complete stop, apply the handbrake and switch off the engine. All occupants should release their seat belts and leave the vehicle quickly from the side furthest from traffic. Move beyond the motorway barrier or to another safe area away from moving traffic. Do not remain inside the vehicle.

Place the warning triangle correctly: If it is safe to do so, carry the warning triangle to a position behind the vehicle. On ordinary roads, it should be placed around 50–100 metres behind the vehicle. On motorways, it should be placed at least 150 metres away. In rain, fog, at night or in other low-visibility conditions, or when the vehicle is stopped around a bend or in an area with limited visibility, the distance should be increased where appropriate.

Changing the spare tyre

If the vehicle is stopped in a genuinely safe location and you need to change the spare tyre yourself, follow the correct procedure.

Loosen the wheel bolts and jack up the car: Before the wheel leaves the ground, loosen the bolts on the damaged wheel slightly, turning them about half a turn in a diagonal pattern. Then position the jack at the designated jacking point underneath the vehicle and raise the car steadily.

Remove and install the wheel correctly: Remove the bolts completely and take off the damaged wheel. Line up the spare tyre with the wheel mounting holes and fit it into place. Tighten the bolts by hand first, then use a wheel wrench to tighten them fully in a diagonal pattern, working around the bolts several times.

Observe the spare-tyre speed limit: If the spare tyre is a space-saver rather than a full-size spare, keep the vehicle's speed strictly under control. The maximum recommended speed is 80 km/h. Avoid hard acceleration, heavy braking and sudden steering inputs.

How to reduce the risk of a blowout

Most tyre blowouts do not happen completely without warning. A few simple checks can significantly reduce the risk.

Check tyre pressures regularly: Both over-inflation and under-inflation can cause excessive deformation and heat build-up. Check the tyre pressures once a month when the tyres are cold, and consider keeping a tyre-pressure monitoring system fitted to the vehicle.

Watch for wear and ageing: Replace tyres when the tread reaches the wear indicators. Tyres should also be replaced if the rubber develops extensive cracking, bulges or other visible damage, or if they have been in use for more than five to six years.

Avoid overloading and prolonged exposure to the sun: Carrying loads beyond the vehicle's recommended limit puts additional stress and heat into the tyres. After a long drive in hot weather or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, do not deliberately release air from the tyres or pour cold water over them. Allow the tyres to cool down naturally.