One of the defining features of the tyres on your car is that they have a limited lifespan. Ideally, they’ll wear out gradually, so that you can easily replace them when the time comes, and you’re not going to end up stranded. But in a minority of cases, a tyre will fail suddenly, in a ‘blowout’ accident.
Naturally, if you happen to be travelling at speed, a blowout can pose problems: both for the vehicle that’s suffered the blowout, and other vehicles and pedestrians in the city. According to statistics from the Department for Transport, blowouts are responsible for around 1,558 road deaths in 2021 alone. This is an uptick from 1,210 in 2010.
A number of factors can contribute to the likelihood of a blowout. The condition of the road surface, for example, matters enormously. But, if you’re looking to guard yourself against the problem, it’s better to focus on the variables you can control.
Maintain Correct Tyre Pressure
Tyres which are over or underinflated are at greater risk of a blowout. By overinflating your tyres, you’re causing them to bulge. This will focus wear onto the centre of the tyre.
Get specialised tyre cover
If your insurance extends to your tyres and wheels, then you’ll be in a better position to cope with blowouts after they happen. As such, specialised tyre insurance is a sensible investment, especially if you’re regularly driving along poorly-maintained roads.
Rotate your tyres
By rotating your tyres, you’ll make them last longer, and make a blowout less likely. There are a number of patterns to consider when rotating your tyres, and you’ll want to pick the one that matches your vehicle and driving style. A front-wheel drive vehicle might benefit from a cross-patterned rotation, for example. If you have directional tyres, then you’ll only be able to swap the rears for the fronts.
Inspect Treads Regularly
Usually, your treads will begin to wear out well before you suffer the blowout. Get into the habit of inspecting the treads, and make sure that they’re well above the legal tread depth limit. You’ll enjoy increased grip and superior fuel economy if you replace the tyres early, as well as making blowouts that little bit less likely.
Get Wheel Alignment and Balancing Done
If your wheels are misaligned, or your car is improperly balanced, then you’ll be at heightened risk. This is something that can be sorted during your vehicle’s regular service, if you get one done. You can often tell when your wheels are misaligned from the state of the treads. If the wear is occurring all on one side, then you have a problem.
