Tires are without any doubt one of the most important part of any vehicle. Over the years, a lot of research and technology has been done by tire manufacturers to improve the grip, life and make them more reliable. We have heard of several incidents or accidents which happened due to tire bursts or blowouts. This is one of the worst nightmares for a car driver, especially when driving at high speeds. A tire burst at high speed can make the car go out of control and lead to accidents. Here we have 10 tips that would help you minimize or avoid the chances of a tire burst.
Don’t Overspeed
This is one of the basic things that you have to follow while driving. By overspeed we don’t mean exceeding the rated speed of the tire but sticking to the road speed limit. Especially on concrete roads or highways. In comparison to a tar road, concrete roads heat up much faster. Delhi-Agra Expressway is famous for this. There have been several incidents on this highway where the tires of vehicles have burst at high speeds especially during summers. Staying within the speed limit also helps the driver to gain back the control on vehicle even if the tire bursts.
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Check tires for bulges/cuts before every long/high speed journey
If you are planning a long road trip in your car, it is always recommended to check the condition of the tire before starting the trip. If you find any bulges or cuts on the tyre, replace it with a spare wheel before starting the journey. Such bulges and cuts can actually lead to tire burst while you are on a long road trip.
Take frequent breaks
Another thing that one should keep in mind while on long road trips is breaks. It is always a good idea to take a break after 2 hours of continuous driving. Driving on concrete highways and expressways increases the chances of tire burst due to pent-up pressure. Such breaks would allow the tires to cool down hence minimizing the chances of a tire burst.
Avoid under/over inflating the tyres
Both under and over inflating the tire is a recipe for tire burst. Under inflated tires put a lot more pressure on the tire sidewalls. This increases the chances of the sidewall rupturing at high speed. Over inflating increases the pressure in tire and once again the chances of tire bursting are more in this case. It is always recommended to maintain a tire pressure specified by the manufacturer.
Check tire pressure regularly
This practice would actually help you keep an eye on the tire pressure and you can also notice any small punctures in the tires especially if you are driving on tubeless tires. Checking the pressure in tires once a week is sufficient and you can always carry a handy tire pressure gauge if you do not trust the air pressure gauge at the fuel station.
Replace worn out tires on time
Another mistake that people often make with tires is that they keep on using tires with depleted tread. You should know that tire is a crucial component of your car and that is the only point of contact with the road when you are driving it. If the tire is not in good condition, the performance of the car would also be affected. A worn out tire can easily burst at high speeds. It is always recommended to get the tires replaced when the safe operating limit has been reached.
Do not use retreaded tires or side-wall repaired tires
Retreaded tires might be cheaper than new ones but that does not mean they are safe. Same is the case with side-wall repaired tires. A retreaded tire can be dangerous as the tread has already depleted from the manufacturer specification. In case of a tubeless tyre, where people usually use tube to make up the damaged side wall can also break or burst at high speeds. Both these practices are equally dangerous and must be avoided.
Avoid unknown tire manufacturers and insist on BIS marked tires
Buying tire from an unknown or a Chinese brand might be cheaper but it is not a good idea as it might be compromising the quality. Low quality tires increase the chance of a tire burst as they might not be able to handle pressure that a good quality tire can. It is always a good idea to buy a branded tire that meets government standards.
Avoid overloading
Every time you overload your car, you are putting more pressure on the tires and other components. If you overload the vehicle on a regular basis, this would reduce the life of your tires and other components like suspension. If you are planning to go on a road trip, never overload the car as there are chances that the tire might burst due to too much pressure.
Discard a tubeless tire that has run for a long distance with a puncture
In comparison to tires with tubes, tubeless tires are more flexible when it comes to puncture. You can still drive a car with tubeless tires to a nearest puncture shop and get it fixed. One should drive the car at a very low speed. If you have to drive the car with a puncture for a very long distance, the strength of the tire weakens. In such cases even after fixing the puncture there are chances that the tire might soon have another puncture or can even blow up at high speeds. It is always recommended to discard a tubeless tire that has run for a long distance with a puncture in it.
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