What Causes a Tyre Blowout?
FixMyCar explains what can cause a tyre blowout and how to prevent it.
Book a car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Tuesday January 14 2025
7 min read
Experiencing a tyre blowout is something many drivers dread. It isn't just inconvenient - it's also dangerous, particularly if you don't know how to react.
The good news is that blowouts are avoidable. However, it's worth learning what to do if you ever experience one. This guide covers everything you need to know, including common causes and tips for prevention.
In a nutshell: The most common cause of tyre blowouts is underinflated tyres. If one of your tyres blows, you should maintain a tight grip on the steering wheel to keep the car straight and avoid harsh braking at all costs.
What causes a tyre blowout?
Understanding the causes of tyre blowouts can help you prevent them.
Worn tyres
Tyres become weaker with time because the rubber naturally degrades. No matter how careful you are to avoid potholes and maintain the correct tyre pressure, they will eventually need replacing. Failure to change your tyres when they are worn puts you at greater risk of a blowout.
Overloading
Tyres come with a load rating, which tells you the maximum weight they can bear. You can find this information on the sidewall. Exceeding the maximum load rating is another common cause of blowouts.
Underinflated tyres
Low tyre pressure can cause blowouts. Because the tyre is underinflated, more of its surface area touches the road, pushing air to the sides. Driving like this at a high speed or over a long distance creates lots of friction and heat, which can make the sidewall burst.
According to a survey by Halfords, 91% of motorists don’t realise that under-inflation is the most likely cause of a tyre blowout.
Driving faster than the speed rating
Tyres also have a speed rating to indicate the maximum speed you can drive when using them. All tyres are different, so if you tend to drive at high speeds, it’s worth checking yours to avoid putting yourself at risk of a blowout.
Hitting potholes
Potholes can cause significant tyre damage, in some cases leading to a blowout. According to the RAC, it's estimated that there are roughly six potholes per mile on council-controlled road in England and Wales, which means avoiding them is easier said than done.
If you experience a pothole-related blowout, you might be able to claim money back for the repair from the relevant council. Find out how in this guide.
What should you do if your tyre bursts while driving?
There’s no denying that getting a blowout while driving can be scary. The most important thing is to stay calm and get yourself out of harm’s way using the following tips.
1. Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel
Your car will pull in the direction of the burst tyre, so you’ll need to maintain a tight grip to keep it straight.
2. Apply the brakes gently
Your first instinct will probably be to slam your foot on the brakes. However, this is one of the worst things you could do. Harsh braking will exaggerate the direction the car wants to pull and could lead to an accident.
Only use the brakes if you need to. Controlled braking is recommended more for a rear blowout than a front one because it will shift the car’s weight towards the front wheels.
3. Put your hazard lights on
Switch your hazard lights on to alert other motorists that something is wrong. When they see these lights, they should give you more space, reducing the likelihood of an accident.
4. Pull over in a safe place
Pull over at the side of the road as soon as you can safely do so. If you have a reflective safety triangle, place it behind your car to let other drivers know you have stopped. Exit through the passenger side to keep yourself safe from traffic when leaving the vehicle.
Learn more about what to do when your car breaks down.
Remember: Never slam your foot on the brakes after a blowout. Your car could flip over or veer into traffic due to an imbalance of force. Instead, brake lightly and in a controlled manner.
What to do after a tyre blowout
After you’ve pulled over in a safe place, exit your car and keep away from traffic while you wait for assistance. This is especially important if you’re on the hard shoulder of a motorway.
You might have a spare tyre in your boot. If you do, you could try to change it yourself. However, there might be sharp edges and exposed wires due to the tyre bursting, so be careful not to cut yourself.
Find out how to change a tyre.
How to prevent a tyre blowout
Knowing how to react to a tyre blowout is essential in case you ever experience one. But it’s even more valuable knowing how to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Follow these precautions to minimise your risk:
Replace your tyres when the tread is worn
Avoid using tyres for longer than six years
Don’t overload your vehicle
Check the speed rating of your tyres, and don’t exceed it
Take breaks on long drives to let your tyres cool down
Try to avoid hitting potholes
Check out this guide for information about how to look after your tyres.
The difference between a tyre blowout and a puncture
A puncture and a blowout are two different things. One is gradual, while the other is sudden and more dangerous.
Puncture - The tyre is damaged and slowly loses air until it goes flat. If you catch the problem early, you can fix it using a puncture repair kit, but the tyre will eventually need replacing.
Blowout - There is a sudden loss of pressure where the tyre is destroyed, making driving difficult. A blowout can damage the wheel and the surrounding vehicle.
Can I avoid a blowout by using run flat tyres?
Run flat tyres won’t completely eliminate the risk of suffering a blowout. However, they will offer significantly more stability and safety in the event of a blowout because they can support the weight of your car without air.
You can continue driving on run flat tyres for about 50 miles at speeds not exceeding 50 mph, which is another advantage. It means you won’t get stuck by the side of the road waiting for your breakdown provider to arrive.
Learn more about run flat tyres.
Frequently asked questions
It’s difficult to say how often blowouts happen due to a lack of data. However, according to Halfords, one in 25 people surveyed said they had crashed because of underinflated tyres, which is the leading cause of blowouts.
When you have a tyre blowout, your car will suddenly jerk to one side, becoming difficult to control. You might also hear a loud popping sound as the air is rapidly released.
Low tyre pressure is the most common cause of tyre blowouts. That’s why you should check the pressure regularly.
Due to increased heat and friction, Tyre blowouts are more common at high speeds. However, they can still happen at slow speeds.
If one of your rear tyres blows, the back of your vehicle will sway from side to side, affecting its stability.
Buy your next set of tyres
When it’s time to buy your next set of tyres, FixMyCar is here to help with a huge selection of budget, mid-range and premium brands.
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- Car Ownership
- Puncture Repair
- Tyres
- Tyres Wheels And Tracking
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.