Having a tyre burst while you're speeding down the highway is one of the worst nightmares of every motorist. At best it means a ruined day and a sudden fee you weren't prepared for; at worst it spells a potentially life-threatening disaster. Here are some of the best ways to prevent a tyre blowout from occurring.  

Balance Your Wheels

Driving in a car with unbalanced wheels is a rough and uncomfortable experience. This is because the less balanced a wheel is, the more vibration is generated and sent through the chassis of the vehicle. Comfort aside, this vibration and friction also wreaks havoc on your car's steering mechanism and on your vehicle's tyres, dramatically shortening the lifespan of both.

If you're out for a drive and feel that your steering wheel is vibrating oddly, take that as a sign that you need to get your car in for a service and have a mechanic properly balance the wheels for you.  

Maintain Correct Pressure

Tyre pressure is the major component in ensuring that your tyres are roadworthy and stay that way for any decent length of time. The consequences of having under-inflated tyres include excess friction, overheating, and unexpected tears. The consequences of having over-inflated tyres include a dramatically increased risk of punctures and excess wear and tear on the vehicle's steering apparatus. When your tyres are inflated to their optimal standard, you avoid a world of would-be problems – and are better able to drive through uneven terrain without having a blowout.

Your vehicle's handbook will include the specifications for ideal tyre inflation. It's important that when you inflate your tyres, you always use proper equipment. It is also critically important to check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold – friction from the road causes the air inside the tyre to expand and give a false reading.  

Throw Them Away When The Time Comes

Patching up a slightly worn tyre is fine, as long as you're being realistic and sensible in your motivations and expectations. Patching up a puncture in order to make it through the weekend in one piece, while having a clear plan in mind to get the issue seen to by your local mechanic come Monday, is probably okay. If the puncture in question happens to be very minor, then you may even be alright to continue driving as normal after a DIY repair job (although it is always advisable to seek out a professional opinion before giving yourself the "all clear").

If, however, the tyre is in poor overall condition, or has been patched up several times before, your risk of a blowout increases exponentially. The rule of thumb is that old tyres get treated with less leniency than new ones, and tyres that have been patched up before should be considered all but written off if the problem re-occurs.

For more information, contact a company like O'Neills Tyres.

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