How often do truck tires explode?

Unfortunately, every year tire blowout is one of the leading causes of truck crashes in America. According to the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tire blowouts are estimated to cause more than 11,000 crashes a year and more than 200 deaths.

What causes truck tires to explode?

Improper tire inflation – When a truck's tires are over-inflated or under-inflated, they are not safe. An over-inflated tire puts too much pressure on the tire itself and can bring it to the point of exploding. An under-inflated tire can explode when heat fills the empty space inside and causes the air to expand.

How common are truck tire blowouts?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire blowouts account for more than 12,000 truck accidents annually, many of them causing injuries and fatalities, not to mention property damage.

What are the chances of a tire exploding?

Data shows that tire blowouts occur in 6.5 percent of cars that comprise more than 80 percent the vehicles involved in the crashes in France from 1996 to 2002. Tire blow-outs were also more prominent in vans at 22 percent. The rate decreased from 8.0 percent in 1997 to 5.9 percent in 2002.

Can tires explode randomly?

Tire blowouts are often sudden and unexpected, leaving a driver scrambling to compensate for the lost control. Many blowouts are preventable with the right maintenance routine, but others can happen because of faulty products and weather conditions.

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How do you tell if a tire is going to explode?

Look for cracks or cuts in the sidewall — grooves that are distinct enough to be visible to the naked eye. This could be a sign that your tire is developing a leak, or worse, that it's ready to blow out.

How do you prevent tire explosions?

At what PSI will a tire explode?

The standard tire is inflated to about 30 to 35 pounds per square inch. Under hot weather and highway conditions, the temperature of the air inside the tire rises about 50 degrees. That increases the pressure inside the tire about 5 psi. The burst pressure of a tire is about 200 psi.

Can a tire pop while parked?

If your tire is popped while parked, it's usually far more convenient and less dangerous than when you're driving, but it can still be difficult if you're parallel parked on a city street or next to other cars. In this case, safely replacing the tire is what to do if a tire blows out.

Can you drive on an exploded tire?

It's important to have the car well off the pavement and away from traffic before stopping, even if proceeding to a place of safety means rolling along slowly with the bad tire flapping. You can drive on a flat if you take it easy and avoid sudden moves. Don't worry about damaging the tire.

What happens when a tire blows out at highway speed on truck?

A tire blowout will immediately cause your car to begin to slow down as well as pull to the left or right, according to Sun Devil Auto. This can cause your vehicle to lose control, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Are tire blowouts preventable?

Blowout-related crashes are accidental. Still, like other accidents, they are also largely preventable. Several individuals and entities can be responsible for causing a blowout crash and the damages sustained by injured victims.

Why do semi truck tires shred?

Low Tire Pressure

Due to the long distances that truckers often travel, it is important to frequently check the tire pressure, especially before a long trip. Air pressure will lower over time and failing to refill or repair a tire that leaks can result in the tire bursting when traveling at high speeds.

Can a tire pop overnight?

Yes, you can leave a flat tire overnight.

Doing this can prevent any form of permanent damage to both the rim and tire. In the unfortunate event of not being able to repair the tire immediately, the next best thing to do is to elevate the edge of the car with a jack.

What does a tire blowout sound like?

The most common sounds of a tire blowout include a loud pop or banging sound, a whooshing sound as the air exits the tire, and the flopping sound of the rubber hitting the road. When the tire explodes, you may feel the vehicle start to slow down suddenly and then pull sharply to one side.

Can tires pop from hitting a curb?

But nothing ruins a day like hitting a curb, and popping the tire. Since the average tire has a pressure of about 25-30 psi, it's creates quite a force when the tire pops. The force required to pop the tire greatly varries, depending on the speed of the car, the weight of the car, and the quality of the tire.

Can tires explode from too much air?

To cause a car tire to pop, you would likely have to over-inflated the tire by 200 psi or more. This is why car manufacturers don't even list the number it would take to pop a tire. To burst a one with an air compressor would have to be an intentional act and can be physically dangerous or even life-threatening.

What happens when a tire explodes?

When a tire explodes while you're driving, first you will feel the vehicle slow down, then it will pull strongly to the left or right depending on which tire burst. If a front tire burst, you should feel the force mostly within the steering of your vehicle.

Is 50 PSI too much for tires?

340 kPa ( 50 PSI)”. This means that the tire will safely carry up to 1477 lbs. and can be safely inflated up to 300 kPa (Kilopascal) or 50 psi (pounds per square inch).

How do tires pop while driving?

Tire blowouts are usually the result of overloading the vehicle, impact damage (either immediate or delayed depending on severity of the impact), a massive cut that causes rapid air loss, or an unnoticed small puncture that allows the tire to slowly lose air over time until it fails.

Why do car tires explode in hot weather?

Heat. Hot temperatures increase your tires' internal pressure, making them expand. This expansion, coupled with hot asphalt, causes increased friction and stress, which can result in a blowout.

How far can you drive on a blowout?

Make sure you drive no longer than 1.5 miles and go no faster than 20 mph – this is the only way to ensure that your tire has any hopes of surviving this disaster.

How often do 18 wheelers change tires?

Semi-Truck Tire Repair & Replacement Guidelines

Most experts agree that semi-truck tire replacement should occur every three to six years. If your tires were purchased more than six years ago, it's probably a good idea to start looking at replacement tires for your fleet.