Stop and get help

Vehicle control comes before trying to save the tire or reach an exit

A blowout can make the vehicle pull, vibrate, or sound violent. Focus on keeping the vehicle predictable. Abrupt braking or a sharp steering correction at high speed can create a second loss-of-control problem before you have time to deal with the damaged tire.

Use this sequence if a tire fails while you are moving fast

  1. 01
    Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands

    Keep your eyes on the road ahead and resist the urge to jerk the wheel toward the shoulder. The car may pull toward the failed tire, but a smooth correction is safer than an abrupt one.

  2. 02
    Come off the accelerator gradually

    Let the vehicle begin slowing under control. Avoid cruise-control inputs and do not make a sudden pedal movement unless traffic conditions require immediate collision avoidance.

  3. 03
    Avoid hard braking while the vehicle is unstable

    Heavy braking can increase weight transfer and make a damaged tire or wheel harder to control. Brake progressively only as the vehicle stabilizes and speed comes down.

  4. 04
    Communicate and move toward a safer location

    Use turn signals or hazard lights as appropriate, check surrounding traffic, and move to the right shoulder, an exit, rest area, or another safer stopping place when the vehicle can change lanes predictably.

  5. 05
    Stop as far from moving traffic as practical

    Once stopped, set the parking brake if conditions allow, keep occupants away from traffic, and follow the vehicle and roadside provider's guidance for waiting safely.

A flat tire and a high-speed blowout are not the same roadside problem

A slow leak may give you a TPMS warning or soft handling before the tire is badly damaged. A blowout can happen suddenly and may tear the sidewall, damage the wheel, or leave body and underbody pieces loose around the wheel opening.

Even if the vehicle reaches the shoulder without obvious secondary damage, do not assume installing a spare is the only repair needed. The wheel, nearby liner, brake hose area, suspension, and body around the failed tire may need inspection if the failure was severe.

If you have a temporary spare, its speed and distance limits can be more restrictive than normal highway driving. Check the owner's manual and the spare's labeling before continuing a long trip.

Call for roadside help instead of changing the tire when any of these apply

  • The shoulder is narrow, soft, sloped, or close to fast traffic
  • The failed tire is on the traffic side of the vehicle
  • You would have to crawl or kneel where vehicles are passing nearby
  • The wheel is visibly bent or the suspension appears damaged
  • The vehicle does not have a usable spare or repair kit
  • The factory jack cannot sit on firm, level ground at the correct jacking point
  • Weather, darkness, snow, or poor visibility makes roadside work unsafe
  • You are unsure how to secure the vehicle or use the factory tire-change equipment

Your next step depends on what the failed tire left behind

Tire lost air but stayed on the wheel and the rim looks normal
Spare tire or roadside tire service

The original tire still needs professional inspection because internal damage may not be repairable even if the cause began as a small puncture.

Sidewall is shredded or the wheel is bent
Tow or roadside service

Do not drive on the bare or damaged wheel to get to a nearby shop. That can add wheel, brake, suspension, and body damage.

A temporary spare is installed correctly
Limited travel under the spare's instructions

Follow the speed, distance, pressure, and drivetrain restrictions stated by the vehicle manufacturer and on the spare tire.

The car still pulls, vibrates, or makes new noise after the tire change
Further inspection before normal highway use

The initial tire failure may have damaged more than the tire itself, or a second tire or wheel problem may be present.