Tyre Blowouts: Causes, Prevention And What To Do

A tyre blowout — a sudden, complete loss of pressure rather than a slow leak — is rare, but it's unsettling enough that it's worth knowing both what causes one and how to respond safely if it happens.

What causes a blowout

Under-inflation is one of the most common causes: running low on air lets a tyre flex more than it's designed to, generating heat that weakens its structure. Overloading a vehicle beyond its tyres' rated capacity has a similar effect. Worn tyres with little tread left are more vulnerable to failure, as are tyres damaged by sharp debris or potholes. Extreme heat accelerates all of these; a manufacturing defect, while less common, can also be a factor.

Reducing the risk

Checking tyre pressure regularly, keeping within your vehicle's rated load limits, and visually inspecting tyres for cracks, bulges or embedded debris before a long journey all reduce the chances of a blowout. Following your tyre and vehicle manufacturer's own guidance on rotation and maintenance is worth doing rather than relying on a generic mileage figure, since the right interval varies by vehicle and driving.

If it happens while you're driving

Try to keep control of the vehicle. Grip the steering wheel firmly and allow it to roll to a stop, moving towards the side of the road rather than stopping in a live traffic lane. If you're left with a flat tyre, stop as soon as it's safe to do so. Only change the tyre yourself if you can do it without putting yourself or anyone else at risk — on a motorway, or anywhere that doesn't feel safe, call for breakdown assistance instead.

Getting a replacement afterwards

A tyre that's blown out needs replacing, not repairing. See our 24/7 mobile tyre replacement page to arrange a callout.