Do Nothing
Do not turn the wheel and do not slam on the brake pedals. The best thing to do when you first encounter a blown-out is nothing.
Remain Calm. Take some deep breaths and stay calm. Try not to freak out or panic.
Steer Straight Ahead
Grip the steering wheel straight ahead by placing your hands on 2 and 10. Do your best to keep your vehicle steering straight. Once your tire is blown out, your vehicle will feel like it is pulling to 1 side and it may even sometimes go in fishtail motion. It is very important to turn the steering wheel sharply or not jerk it since it can lead to a much worse result.
Another instinct a driver has when a tire blowout happens in the highways or streets is to twist the steering wheel hoping to correct the directions which the vehicle seems to be going after the tire failure. As a matter of fact, twisting your wheel at a high speed may cause your car to spin out and potentially collide into approaching vehicles. Instead, hold the steering wheel straight with a firm grip and let your vehicle slow down to a safe speed before making quick cuts or turns with the wheels.
Don’t Slam on the Brakes
This can be your initial reaction but it is basically the worst thing that you can do when a tire blowout happens. Allow your vehicle to slow down to a safe speed instead. When you face a tire failure, your initial instinct is to slam on the brakes however, this may lead to an extremely dangerous reaction from your vehicle and may cause more harm or damage than good.
Professionals say to allow your vehicle to slow down on its own at the speed of 25 to 30 miles per hour prior to hitting the brakes. Aside from that, giving some light pumps on your gas pedal will actually help stabilize your vehicle and keep you going forward. The shredded or blown tire will serve as a brake by itself because of the dragging effect it receives on the streets. In addition to that, this will also help slow your vehicle down to a safe speed as your exit the highway or pull over.
Step on the Gas Pedal Lightly
Accelerating just a bit after a blown-out tire will help you keep the momentum of your car. Allow your vehicle gradually slow down while lightly stepping on the gas pedal. If you reach the speed of 25 to 30 miles per hour, that is the time that you slowly twist your steering wheel and then, lightly step on the brakes to come to a halt. Pull over and stop in a safe place.
Turn on Your Hazard Lights
Have your emergency hazard lights turned-on. It is also a great idea to keep reflective triangles or cones in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Call for Help
Contact a professional emergency roadside assistance company like Delta towing and ask for help.
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