Tire Blowouts and How to Avoid Them

Believe it or not, there actually is such a thing as “tire blowout season”: Starting in mid-May and running through the early weeks of October, tire blowout season is the time of year where tires often fail at high speeds, primarily due to the sweltering outdoor temperatures during the summer months. Add to that the fact that most people do the bulk of their long-distance traveling during this time frame (e.g., summer vacays, Fourth of July, Labor Day weekend, etc.), and there are simply more opportunities for tires to give way to the ravages of the road. During this season, motorists have to be particularly vigilant about making sure that their tires are up to snuff; if you’re traveling on injured or worn-out tires, you can put yourself at a much higher risk for tire failure at high speeds. So what type of precautions can you take in order to avoid a tire blowout? Read on to find out how to keep you and your family safe from this unpleasant scenario.

Avoid Underinflation
Underinflation is perhaps the most common culprit behind tire blowouts. This only makes sense, because without enough air in your tires, they won’t be able to support the weight of the vehicle itself, plus all of its cargo (including your packed-to-the-hilt 5-piece luggage set). Not only that, but air pressure plays a vital role in helping the tire maintain its structural integrity; without the proper air pressure, the various components that comprise the tire (e.g., steel, rubber, fabric, composite material, etc.) will eventually weaken to the point of failure.

Avoid Uneven Inflation
Not only is underinflation an issue that must be addressed, but uneven inflation has been the undoing of many tires as well. For example, if your two front tires have a notably unequal amount of air pressure, it can put an undue amount of stress on the tire with the lower level of air pressure, causing it to underperform or even fail. The next time you put air in your tires, use a tire pressure gauge to make sure that you’re putting the same amount of air (measured in PSI–pounds per square inch) in each tire.

Avoid Overloading
Tires are responsible for carrying the weight of the vehicle, as well as its passengers and cargo. It is risky business to try and “test the limits” by attempting to haul an extra-heavy load with your vehicle. Be sure to check your vehicle’s Gross Vehicular Weight Rating (GVWR) to ensure that you’re not putting more in (or on) your vehicle than its tires can bear.

Avoid Potholes
A violent dip into a vicious pothole can deal a hard blow to your tires. More often than not, the front tires of vehicles suffer the most from pothole damage, because they’re typically the first in line to encounter this threat. Potholes have the potential to wreak havoc on tires, so be sure to maneuver around them whenever possible.

As you can see, none of the precautionary measures listed above are costly or difficult; you just need to remember to do them in order to keep your tires protected from potential blowouts. Put the above suggestions into practice, and stay safe out there on the road!

But, if you do end up with a damaged tire – Riverside Automotive has a great selection of Goodyear Tires and most major brands
Visit Riverside Automotive in Morgantown, West Virginia for a Free Battery Check or Auto Maintenance or Repair service.

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*Always check your owner’s manual for your vehicle model’s specific instructions before attempting any type of vehicle repair. Copyright Riverside Automotive URL Copyright Riverside Automotive – Morgantown, Virginia 2015