A blowout is a sudden, complete loss of air from a tyre. Unlike a slow puncture, there is no warning: you hear a loud bang or a flapping sound, the steering may pull to one side, and the car can feel unstable. It is usually caused by an existing weakness in the tyre such as sidewall damage, running on very low pressure, a damaged internal structure, or a sharp object that cuts the casing.
The first ten seconds: what to do
Your instinct will be to slam the brakes or yank the wheel. Do neither. Sudden inputs are what turn a blowout into a loss of control.
- Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands and hold the car as straight as you can.
- Ease off the accelerator smoothly. Do not brake hard.
- Switch on your hazard lights so following drivers know something is wrong.
- Let the car slow down naturally, then brake gently once your speed has dropped and the car feels steady.
- Indicate and steer smoothly towards the left, aiming for a hard shoulder, emergency area or the nearest safe place to stop.
A blown front tyre tends to pull the car towards the side of the failed tyre. A blown rear tyre can make the back of the car feel loose or snake from side to side. In both cases the answer is the same: steady steering, gentle deceleration, no panic braking.
Where to stop and how to stay safe
Pull as far left as you can, with the wheels turned towards the verge. If you are on a motorway, use the hard shoulder or an emergency area if one is available, and avoid stopping in a live lane unless you genuinely cannot move. Exit the vehicle by the left-hand doors, away from traffic, and take any passengers and pets with you.
Wait behind the barrier or well up the verge if it is safe to do so, away from the carriageway. Do not try to change a tyre on a live motorway. It is dangerous, and a blown tyre that has been driven on is often shredded to the point where a spare will not solve the problem on its own.
If you cannot get out safely, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on, hazards flashing, and call the emergency services if you believe you are in immediate danger. Otherwise ring for breakdown or tyre help.
Why blowouts happen
Understanding causes helps you avoid a repeat. The usual culprits are:
- Driving for long periods on under-inflated tyres, which flexes the sidewall and builds heat.
- Hidden damage from potholes or kerb strikes that weakens the internal cords.
- Worn or ageing tyres where the rubber has hardened and cracked.
- Overloading the vehicle beyond the tyre load rating.
- A slow puncture that was ignored. See our guide to puncture repair and the mobile tyre repair page for what can and cannot be repaired.
Check your pressures at least monthly and before long motorway trips. Our guide on spotting a slow puncture early covers the warning signs.
Getting a replacement tyre after a blowout
A tyre that has blown out cannot be repaired. It has to be replaced, and it is worth having the wheel and the rest of the tyres checked at the same time, since a failed tyre can damage the rim, the valve, the TPMS sensor and the wheel arch lining.
Once you are somewhere safe, call TyreBlitz on 0800 772 0355. We will ask your location, your vehicle and the tyre size from the sidewall if you can read it (see our guide to reading tyre sizes). A mobile technician then comes to you with the equipment to remove the damaged tyre, fit a new one and balance it on site. Our emergency tyre fitting service is built for exactly this situation.
Not sure whether your location is covered? Check the area pages, for example mobile tyre fitting London, Manchester, Birmingham or the full areas list.
After the event: checks worth doing
- Inspect the other tyres on the same axle for cuts, bulges or uneven wear.
- Ask the fitter to check the wheel rim for bends or scrapes.
- Have the TPMS sensor and valve inspected, see TPMS and valve replacement.
- Fit tyres in pairs where practical, so the grip on both sides of an axle is matched.
When you cannot get to safety
If the car is crippled and sitting in a dangerous position, put hazard lights on and call the emergency services before anything else. Roadside safety comes first and a tyre can always be replaced later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep driving after a blowout?
No. Slow gradually and stop in the safest place available. Driving on a destroyed tyre damages the wheel and can cause a loss of control.
Should I brake hard when a tyre blows?
No. Lift off the accelerator, hold the wheel steady and brake gently once the car has slowed and feels stable.
Can a blown tyre be repaired?
No. A tyre that has suffered a blowout has structural damage and must be replaced.
Can TyreBlitz fit a tyre at the roadside?
Where it is safe to work, our mobile technicians fit tyres at the location you are in. Call now for a quote on 0800 772 0355.
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Need help with your tyres now?
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