HOW TO AVOID TIRE BLOWOUTS?

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HOW TO AVOID TIRE BLOWOUTS?

Posted on June 5, 2023

 

What Causes Tires to Have a Blowout?

 

Tire blowouts are among one of the scariest and nerve-racking experiences you can have on the road. You may struggle to control the vehicle, which is extremely dangerous. Typically, most tire blowout cases occur between May to October, when the road surfaces are scorching, increasing wear and tear on the tires’ tread patterns.

 

READ MORE: When is The Best Time to Switch Out Tires? 

 

To avoid experiencing such potentially dangerous situations, keeping an eye on your tires and maintaining them routinely is essential. You can also opt for routine inspections to check for proper pressure, slow leaks and accurate wheel alignment. Read on to know other reasons leading to tire failures and how you can avoid them.

 

Reasons for Tire Blowouts

 

Underinflation

 

Without proper air pressure, the tires offer less traction and stability. The pressure on the surface gets prominent, increasing friction and overheating. Moreover, underinflated tires may exert more pressure on the vehicle’s chassis and suspension system, possibly leading to severe damage.

 

Overloading

 

We often confuse the vehicle’s expansive cargo space with the weight it can bear, which is why we mistakenly overload it. When you hook a trailer or load heavy items to your vehicle, it affects the weight carrying capacity of the tires. When you surpass the maximum load-carrying capacity, the tires feel more pressure and touch the surface to create more friction, leading to a failure or blowout.

 

Poor Road Conditions

 

Uneven or bumpy roads also contribute to frequent tire blowouts. This also includes potholes. Slamming into one exerts pressure on the tire, damaging the inner layer of rubber and other components or materials. In some cases, when you travel across uneven roads frequently, it leads to the slow death of the tires.

 

How to Avoid Tire Failures

 

Most tire blowouts are preventable if you consider the following tips:

 

• Keep the tire load and speed limit in sync to avoid overloading and pressure on the tire’s sidewalls.
• If going on long hauls and road trips, take your car for routine maintenance and repair or pre-trip auto inspections.
• If possible, avoid taking poorly managed or constructed roads because potholes or road gravels can severely damage the tire’s sidewalls.
• Notice or watch out for visible cracks, worn tread and cuts on the tire to diagnose a severe problem at an early stage.
• Take your car to a technician for routine maintenance and alignments.
• Use factory-recommended,  quality tires, especially on the rear, as they’re at a higher risk for blowouts. Car owners should invest in quality tires to avoid vulnerability to severe damage and wear and tear.

 

Shop for high-quality tires at Southside Dodge in Red Deer. Make an appointment with our technician to learn about car maintenance tips to avoid tire blowouts.