Advice on tire burst!!!
Recently the Al Khor crash (which has the total death toll of 5, including one today) and the Mesaieed crash (death of two children), both cases are of tire burst. I am deeply saddened by the loss of these innocent lives, but do pray for their loved ones to bear this loss!
A little knowledge will help you to handle the situation more wisely, avoid loss of life and damage to your vehicle.
This is not to blame anyone, however, with a bit of knowledge, this accident could have been avoided with the tips given below:
I did a bit of research on how to be more careful and what actions we are to do in case of a tire burst (God forbid it doesn't happen). The following questions will help you understand. Even though it is freely available on internet, I am sure many of you like me:-) are ignorant. So posting this in public forum of Qatar Living will definitely prompt Qlers to have a look on the information provided.
What makes the tire burst on a hot summer day?
Make sure your tires have the right air pressure, Use healthy tires and always keep a spare tire!
How to handle a tire burst?
a. What Not To Do:
DO NOT PANIC!!
Yes… no matter how many times you hear this about everything else in life, its true. If you panic, you tend to hurry and not think clearly and in that you may end up doing one of the following things that you are not supposed to do.
DO NOT SLAM THE BRAKES!!
Although it may seem like the wisest thing to do it is not. Why? Because one of your tyres is out of your control (it burst!) and when you apply brakes, it will do so to every tyre but only three will respond favourably. So, depending on the speed of the vehicle, it may end up skidding sideways or rolling around in circles like a ballerina till it hits something!!
DO NOT STEER IN ANY DIRECTION!!
Again, even though it is a reflex action that when a car gets out of control you tend to steer it immediately to the side, don’t do this because, as mentioned, one of your tyres is not responding and will only make matters worse.
What To Do:
Depending on how fast one’s reflexes are and how much one can remember at the particular time, here is the list, somewhat in order:
HOLD THE STEERING TIGHT!!
Hold the steering wheel tightly so that the vehicle doesn’t start banging into everything around it.
LEAVE THE ACCELERATOR… NOW!!
You have to get the machine to slow down. So that you can do something about it. Leave the accelerator so that the deceleration process begins.
TURN ON THE EMERGENCY / PARKING LIGHTS!!
It’s a wise thing to let the people behind know that something is wrong and they should also slow down a bit and definitely not try and overtake you.
GEAR BRAKE!!
Just because I said don’t slam the brakes doesn’t mean you don’t have to slow down! Gear brake (but not at once!! Don’t get it down from 5th to 1st!!). Slowly get it down.
SIGNAL AND GENTLY STEER ASIDE AFTER SPEED HAS DIED OUT!!
Had to steer eventually, but do it only after giving an indication of the same and after speed has died out considerably! AND do it gently! No sudden movements!
Hope this will of great help and Happy Driving!!!
"It is an inert gas and does not expand with heat."So it does not comply with the basic laws of physics? What a crock!http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars/car_advice/car_fact_sheets/nitrogen_for_tyres
Astravista thank you for your concern and effort of giving safety informations to all!Acadian: Thanks for the info about nitrogen. Is it only available behind Landmark? how much does it cost?ALWAYS BE SAFE GUYS! REGARDS TO ALL!
May be the Driving Schools can teach using the newly set up simulators on how to control a car when the tyre is burst !!!! License to only those who pass the test ;)
mirfan , you are right....they should give these tips in the driving school....but arent they giving at all?
THANK U VERY MUCH VERY INFORMATIVE INDEED
THANK U VERY MUCH VERY INFORMATIVE INDEED
thanks great information.I think these tips should be taught in the driving schools where they take lot of money. and should be included as mandatery question before issuing a driving licence. All the drivers should know about these tips as guidelines by the traffic dept.
Thanks for sharing Altavista007, great info!
LP sorry, but it makes me sleepy and I have to go back to tyre
thanx so much for the useful info..nice that someone has taken trouble to search and put it on QL...Im sure it reaches out to many like this..thanx to acadian also for te info...
'tire' is the proper spelling in American English!
Check your tyres (proper spelling) regularly for any possible splits/baldness/correct pressure. It is easy to overlook this on a day to day basis and is not something that is checked at vehicle inspection time by the authorities. Some of the side roads here are so bad, it is easy to pick up a slow puncture or have minor damage that can result in a blow out. If in doubt, change your tyres.
.....Preemptive measure are to check your tires too – check whether they have the right air pressure. Low air pressure can lead to a burst. When was the last time anyone checked their tire air pressure?
Check the tires regularly – specially if you’ve hit a footpath/pothole (many in qatar) badly. Also older tires have more stress. I’ve noticed in Qatar people go by the miles covered inorder to change tires – if your tire has a cut it does not make a difference that you have only done 4,000 kms on it. Change it. Worn out tires are a no no. Infact UAE has a rule to change tires every 3 years else they do not pass you in the technical inspection.
Check the date of manufacture of your tire – unused tires stored in the heat for considerable period of time are not good either.
If you’ve failed in the above then follow astavista advice. Do make sure that everyone in the vehicle has seat belt on - Even those in the rear seats !!!!! Ain't hard at all
As above poster pointed out, controlling the vehicle if blowout happens is the most important priority. Otherwise within 10 to 20 seconds you can't concentrate on switching signals. You need to train yourself or a simulator will do?
TFS its really helpful.
The most important factor in loss of control is the speed of the vehicle. Staying within the limits of the law AND vehicle is important.
I would rather face a blowout in a ferrari at 180kmh than in a LC at 120kmh.
I wouldnt even bother with hazard warning lights. If youve ever experienced a blow out at speed (not just a flat tyre) youll know that your entire focus is on keeping control of the vehicle. The rapidly disintegrating tyre throwing up bits of rubber at the motorists behind you advertises your predicament quite well anyway.
thanks for sharing tat useful info buddy !
One easy way is to have your tires inflated with nitrogen. It is an inert gas and does not expand with heat. It will make your tires last longer as the tires would run cooler. You can get your tires filled with nitrogen behind the landmark at the Michelin tire center
I doubt that those who drive like idiots are able to read and understand the post!
nice input... tnx astavista!
thanks asta.
tHANX ALOT
Thanks astavista007 for posting this...hope everyone keeps these tips in mind as this needs to be done in split second on tyre burst and most important thing is to keep calm.....