When a tire blow-out occurs, what is the first thing you do?

• A. Grip the steering wheel firmly
• B. Slam on the brakes
• C. Steer to the curb
• D. Turn off the engine

Answer: (A)

When a tire blows, your main goal is to keep the vehicle under control. The car may pull hard to the side of the blown tire and the steering can feel unstable, so the first thing to do is grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands to maintain a straight, steady path. Avoid braking hard, which can cause loss of control, and avoid steering sharply toward the curb, which could put you off the road. Turning off the engine isn’t needed and can reduce steering and braking assist, making control harder. Once you have a solid grip, ease off the accelerator and brake gently only after you’re maintaining control, then steer smoothly to a safe area off the roadway when possible.