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A tyre blows out while you are driving: what should you do? Stay calm, hold the steering wheel and don't brake hard

A tyre blows out while you are driving: what should you do? Stay calm, hold the steering wheel and don't brake hard

A tyre blows out while you are driving: what should you do? Stay calm, hold the steering wheel and don't brake hard

A tyre blows out while you are driving: what should you do? Stay calm, hold the steering wheel and don't brake hard

If a tyre blows out or loses air rapidly while you are driving, the most important thing is not to panic and not to brake hard. Hold the steering wheel with both hands, keep the car on course, gradually ease off the accelerator, and wait for the car to stabilise before slowing down and steering it to a safe place.

This advice applies whether a front or a rear tyre fails, even though it feels different to the driver: a front tyre usually sends a jolt back through the steering wheel, while a rear tyre is usually felt through the body of the car or the seat.

6 steps for handling a tyre blowout while driving

1. Stay calm and look where you want the car to go

Don't jerk the steering wheel straight away or stare at obstacles. Look towards a safe path and quickly assess the traffic around you. Overreacting can make the car even less stable.

2. Hold the steering wheel with both hands and keep the car on course

Hold the wheel steadily but don't yank it. Try to keep the car in its lane first; don't rush to change lanes or swerve to the roadside while the car is still swaying.

3. Don't brake hard, and don't pull the handbrake

Braking suddenly or pulling the handbrake can unbalance the wheels and make the car spin. The safer approach is to get the car stable first, then slow down gently when necessary.

4. Ease off the accelerator gradually; don't lift your foot off suddenly

If traffic allows, hold your speed briefly to help keep the car balanced, then ease off the accelerator steadily. Never speed up to keep driving on. The aim is to steady the car and reduce speed step by step.

In a manual car, don't press the clutch straight away while the car is still unstable. In an automatic, don't shift into N or P while the car is moving. Follow the owner's manual for your model.

5. Turn on your hazard lights and steer to a safe place once the car is steady

Once you have the car under control, turn on your hazard lights, signal to change lanes and gradually pull over onto the hard shoulder, into a lay-by or to a spot away from the traffic lanes. Avoid stopping on a bend, at the approach to a bridge or in a blind spot.

6. Come to a complete stop, then apply the handbrake and get help

When the car has stopped completely, put it in P or a suitable gear, pull the handbrake and keep the hazard lights on. If you need to get out, leave by the side away from the traffic and stand behind the roadside barrier in a safe spot. Use a reflective warning triangle when the location and traffic allow. Don't stand changing a tyre where other drivers can hardly see you or where traffic is fast.

How is a front tyre blowout different from a rear tyre blowout?

The main way to handle them is the same: hold the steering wheel, keep the car on course, don't brake hard and ease off the accelerator gradually. The difference is in what you feel:

  • Front tyre blowout: you usually feel more pulling or vibration through the steering wheel
  • Rear tyre blowout: you usually feel the back of the car sway, or vibration through the seat and the body of the car

Don't assume the car will always veer towards the side of the blown tyre, because its direction also depends on speed, road conditions, load, the stability control system and the type of damage to the tyre.

What causes a tyre to blow out or lose air rapidly

Common causes include tyre pressure below the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation, overloading, sustained high-speed driving, bulging tyres, cracked sidewalls, hitting potholes or kerbs, sharp objects, worn-out tyres and improper tyre repairs.

Check tyre pressure when the tyres are cold, using the figure on the driver's door pillar or in the owner's manual. Don't use the maximum pressure printed on the sidewall in place of the figure your car needs, and check every tyre, including the spare, before a long journey.

How to reduce the risk of a blowout before you set off

  • Check tyre pressure with the tyres cold at least once a month and before long journeys.
  • Check for bulges, cracks, cuts, foreign objects and uneven wear.
  • Don't load beyond the limits of the vehicle or the tyres.
  • Rotate your tyres and have the wheels aligned and balanced as set out in the owner's manual or the manufacturer's recommendations.
  • If the TPMS warning light comes on, slow down and check in a safe place. Don't keep driving at high speed.
  • Use tyres of the size, load index and speed rating specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

The rule that “driving at no more than 100 km/h is safe” is not always true. The right speed depends on the law, road conditions, weather, traffic, load and the condition of your tyres, all taken together.

Does car insurance cover a tyre blowout?

If only the tyre is damaged, from tearing or bursting alone, voluntary motor insurance policies generally do not cover it under the standard conditions, unless other parts of the car are damaged at the same time.

If a tyre blows out and the car goes out of control and hits a barrier or property, or other parts of the car are damaged, whether you are covered depends on the class of insurance, the cause of the incident, the damage done, the exclusions, the excess (deductible) and the conditions in the policy schedule.

  • Class 1 insurance: may cover damage to the car from an accident under the policy conditions, but this does not mean it will pay for the blown tyre alone in every case.
  • 2+ or 3+ insurance: cover for the insured vehicle generally centres on collisions with a land vehicle where there is another party, subject to conditions, so check the details of the plan you bought.
  • Compulsory motor insurance (CMI): covers death and bodily injury to road accident victims as required by law; it does not cover car repairs or tyres.
  • Emergency assistance: tyre changes, towing or a recovery truck depend on the benefits of each insurer and each plan; this is not standard cover found in every policy.

If you are unsure, notify the insurer or your coordinator before repairing or towing the car, so they can check your entitlements and advise you on the right steps.

What evidence should you collect once you have pulled over?

Once you are in a safe place, take photos of the car's position, the road conditions, the damaged tyre, any other damage, the number plate and anything else relevant. Note the time and place. If there is another party, or someone else's property is damaged, exchange details and report to the police as appropriate. Then call your insurer and wait for advice before moving or repairing the car, unless you have to move it to prevent immediate danger.

Frequently asked questions

Should I brake when a tyre blows out?

Don't brake hard straight away. Hold the steering wheel, keep the car on course, ease off the accelerator gradually, and wait for the car to stabilise before slowing gently to suit the traffic.

Should I shift into neutral when a tyre blows out?

Don't rush to shift into neutral while the car is still swaying, as this may reduce your control. Stay in the same gear and follow the owner's manual for your model.

Can I claim on my insurance for a blown tyre alone?

Damage to the tyre alone from tearing or bursting is generally not covered, unless other parts of the car are damaged at the same time, and it still depends on the class of insurance and the policy conditions.

If a tyre blows out and the car hits a barrier, does Class 1 insurance cover it?

It may fall under cover for damage to the car from an accident, but always check the cause, the exclusions, the excess (deductible) and the policy conditions first.

Should I change the tyre myself on the hard shoulder?

If you are on an expressway, a high-speed road, a bend or in a blind spot, don't risk changing the tyre yourself. Move yourself to a safe spot and call emergency assistance or a recovery truck.

Contact Prakanthai

If you want to check your cover, compare car insurance or get initial advice after an incident, contact the team at Prakanthai.com via

Prakanthai.com has been providing non-life insurance services since 2004, explaining conditions, comparing cover and coordinating when something happens. Underwriting and claim decisions are subject to the conditions of each insurer.

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