Car tyres are extremely important for the functioning of your vehicle, since these are the only components that are in direct contact with the road. If one or more of the tyres are old and faulty, it may lead to harrowing situations like frequent punctures or worse a tyre burst.

Tyre bursts are especially dangerous when you are driving at a steady speed and suddenly lose balance and control. Sometimes it can also cause the car to veer off road or into oncoming traffic. Car tyre bursts happen due to numerous reasons and have a very high potential of causing road mishaps. So, today we are covering some of the primary reasons why car tyre bursts happen and how you can reduce the probability of tyre burst while driving.

What causes car tyre bursts?

In theory, a tyre burst happens when there is rapid loss of pressurized air from the tyre. It is caused when the structural integrity of a tyre is compromised and the tyre is unable to hold the air inside it. As the pressurized air tries to escape through a cavity or leak in the tyre, it tears through the structure and causes an explosive sound that we identify as tyre burst.

There are several reasons why or when a tyre may lose its structural integrity:

Direct Impact

A heavy impact on the tyre caused by a bump or pothole or a heavy object on the road has the potential to cause a tyre burst. Since we all are aware of Indian road conditions, there is no surprise that driving off the major highways we may frequently encounter bad roads. If not driven carefully on such roads, your car tyres may wear down and become susceptible to tyre burst.

High temperature

Another reason why Indian drivers are endangered by tyre bursts is the very hot climate of our tropical nation. During summers, some parts of northern India witness temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius. 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.

Under Inflation

Under inflated tyres are also a major reason for tyre bursts. According to several reports 75% of tyre bursts happen due to under inflation. The excessive flexing caused by underinflation leads to increased friction and hence possible damage to the tyre structure. As the air moves around inside the under inflated tyre, it becomes hot due to pressure and friction with the road, thus leading to a burst tyre situation.

High Speed

Driving at constantly high speeds can increase the probability of tyre bursts on the road. Every tyre is rated for a particular speed limit and road surface, if the driver fails to heed those limitations, the tyre will eventually get damaged before its stated life cycle and become susceptible to a burst.

Overloading

While car tyres are meant for handling medium category loads, some drivers tend to overload their vehicles with luggage or commercial passengers. This is not an apt situation and may lead to a mishap. Carrying excess weight in the car directly puts pressure on the tyres and causes the process of heat buildup inside them. Moreover, weight also means flexing of the sidewalls which keep the tyres upright, eventually compromising the tyre’s integrity.

How to prevent tyre burst from happening?

Tyre bursts can be prevented by avoiding the situations mentioned above and a little pro-active inspection of your vehicle every time you are planning a long journey on the road. Here are some tips to follow:

• Always keep your tyres inflated to the optimum levels. While a little bit of over inflation is not concerning, make sure the tyres are not under inflated. If a tyre seems under inflated, get it inflated without delay. If you are frequently on the road, get one of those mobile tyre inflation devices for convenience and safety.
• Inspect your car tyres before starting a journey and after reaching the destination. Check the tyre tread for wear and tear. Modern car tyres come with tread wear indicator, do not drive tyres past the minimum threshold of 1.5 mm tread depth.
• Do not run your vehicle with an overload. Filling a small car with 5-6 people and topping up the luggage rack with the baggage is a sure shot invitation to trouble. Stick to the loading limit prescribed by your car manufacturer and tyre brand.
• Invest in road worthy tyres from reputed brands. Do not buy cheap Chinese imports which may save you a few bucks in the interim but can also leave room for a hazardous situation for you and your loved ones. Buy tyres from trusted brands that are known for making tyres suited for Indian roads and vehicles.
• Lastly, follow the downsizing and upsizing guides from the car makers to alter tyre size on your vehicle. Thoughtlessly altering your vehicle’s wheel and tyre components can also cause tyre burst situations as the new tyre might not be able to handle the speed limits or weight limits set by the car makers.

That concludes our insights on tyre bursts, why they happen and how to prevent them. If you have more questions, you can contact an authorized Apollo Tyres dealer near you. Our technicians are well equipped to answer your questions and provide assistance in selecting new car tyres that fit your vehicle specifications.