A blowout is a catastrophic, sudden tire failure, often from internal issues like underinflation or excessive heat, causing immediate, violent air loss and control issues, usually with ragged, exploded damage. A slash is damage from a sharp external object (like a knife or sharp rock) creating a distinct cut, which might cause a slow leak or, if deep enough, a rapid deflation or even a blowout later, but often starts with a cleaner cut.
The 4 Most Common Tire Blowout Warning Signs
This decrease in overall diameter manifests through increased flexing of the tyre sidewall (think of how a tyre on a vehicle looks when it is partially deflated – it bulges out at the bottom as the weight of the vehicle pushes down), and it is this flexing and bulging that leads to the ultimate failure of the tyre.
If someone slashed your tires, the damage will look like straight cuts with clean edges. The slashes are usually on the sidewall or rim where the rubber is the thinnest.
There's a popular rumor known as the “3-tire rule," that if only three of your four tires are slashed, insurance won't cover it. This is just not true - vandalism is vandalism.
Once you're safely off the road, it's time to assess what to do next. Sometimes, a simple flat tire could potentially be repaired, but if you have a full tire blowout, you'll need to purchase a brand-new tire.
As a general rule, you want replacement tires that are within 3 percent of the diameter (height) measurement of the tires originally on your vehicle.
First, you'll hear a loud bang or boom as the tire explosively loses air. This can sound like a gunshot or explosion when the incredibly durable structure of the tire suddenly tears itself apart. This sharp bang is immediately followed by a hissing or whooshing sound as the air contained in the tire escapes.
This leads to heat buildup and is especially dangerous on warm days and when you're traveling at high speeds. If your tire is more than 25% under the recommended standard (usually 30 to 40 psi), you're at risk for a sidewall blowout.
Don't step on the brake. This will cause your wheels to lock up and will lead to a total loss of control. Accelerate slightly and steer as straight as possible. Begin to slow down by gently removing your foot from the accelerator.
One of the primary culprits behind tire blowouts is underinflated tires. When your tires don't have enough air pressure, they become more susceptible to overheating, which can eventually result in a blowout.
They can vary depending on your situation, but at first, you may hear a loud boom or bang of the tire popping; this sound typically reverberates throughout your car. Then, you may hear a whooshing sound or the sound of the air quickly discharging from the tire.
One of the most common reasons why a tire keeps losing air with no hole is temperature fluctuations. As temperatures drop, the air inside your tires contracts, which causes a drop in pressure. For every 10-degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature, you can expect a loss of about 1-2 psi in your tires.
If you notice that a tyre is losing more than two pounds of pressure in a month, you may have a slow puncture.
You don't know the depth of your tyre tread? Use the 25 cent trick! Insert a 25 cent piece into the tire's grooves with the nose of the caribou facing downward. If the caribou's nose isn't visible, it means the depth is superior to 6/32 of an inch.
The Rule of 105 states that the rim must be at least 105% the width of the tire if you have any chance of re-capturing airflow from the tire and controlling it or smoothing it. One of the most interesting aspects of the Rule of 105 is that before 2001, nobody was tunnel testing with 21 or 23mm tires.
There's a common misconception that insurance companies won't cover three slashed tires but will cover four slashed tires instead. The truth is that you're covered for any number of slashed tires, as long as you have the right coverage.
In some cases the tire manufacturer may be at fault; in others, the driver of a vehicle that blew a tire; and in other cases, it could be a combination of both. It is even possible the injured party can be held partly accountable. Debris in the road is the most common cause of blowouts.
The short answer: It depends on your vehicle, your tires, and how much tread is left. Here's how to decide what makes the most sense. If the other tires are fairly new (usually with more than 70–75% of their tread remaining), and your car is not all-wheel drive, you may be able to replace just one.
High temperature
Driving on the hot tarmac can cause tyre bursts as basic science dictates that temperature is directly proportional to pressure. As the tyres run hotter the pressurized air inside expands and weakens the rubber component, leading to possibility of tyre bursts.
Can you claim for 3 slashed tyres? Yes, you may be able to claim on your insurance for three slashed tyres. Particularly if all three were damaged in the same incident. However, it's important to check your insurance policy to see what your coverage limits are for this type of damage.
The "7 7 rule" for tires is a guideline for seasonal tire changes: install winter tires when temperatures consistently drop to 7°C (45°F) or below for seven days, and switch back to all-season/summer tires in spring after seven consecutive days above 7°C, because tire rubber compounds perform best at specific temperatures for grip and wear. Below 7°C, winter tires offer better traction; above 7°C, all-season/summer tires are safer and wear less.
The penny test provides a reliable, quick estimate of tread depth, though it is not as precise as professional measurements. How often should I perform the penny test? It is recommended to check your tire tread using the penny test at least once a month and before long journeys.