Tire Blowout on Highway: What to Do Right Now: What Drivers Should Know

> **Quick Answer:** Don't brake hard. Grip the wheel firmly, keep the gas steady for a second or two, then ease off gradually while steering straight. Let the car slow on its own, signal, and coast to the shoulder. A blowout feels violent but the car is still controllable if you don't panic-brake. Once stopped, get as far off the road as possible and call for help.

## What Do I Do in the First Few Seconds After a Blowout?

Hold the wheel with both hands and do not hit the brakes. That's the most important thing you can do. The natural instinct is to stomp the brakes, but a sudden stop with a blown tire can send you sideways or into a spin, especially at highway speeds.

Here's the sequence:

1. Grip the steering wheel firmly. The car will pull hard toward the blown tire side.
2. Ease into the accelerator briefly, just a second or two. This keeps the car stable and prevents the rear from swinging out.
3. Let off the gas slowly and let engine braking do the work.
4. Steer gently toward the shoulder. No sharp turns.
5. Activate your hazard lights as soon as the car is tracking straight.
6. Coast to a full stop as far onto the shoulder as you can get.

On a multi-lane highway like I-70 or I-80, aim past the white fog line and keep rolling until you reach the grass or an exit ramp if one is close. More distance between you and traffic is always better.

## Is It Safe to Change the Tire Myself on the Highway?

Changing a tire on the highway shoulder is dangerous. If you are far from an exit, on a narrow shoulder, or at night, call for roadside assistance instead of getting under the car with traffic passing at 70 mph.

If you do have a full-size spare and the shoulder is wide and flat, here's how to do it safely:

- Turn on hazards immediately.
- Place warning triangles or road flares at least 100 feet behind the car. Triangles are the safer choice on windy highways because flares can ignite roadside debris. [Here's a breakdown of emergency triangles vs. flares on the highway](/emergency-triangle-vs-flares-which-is-safer-on-highway/) if you're unsure which to carry.
- Stay on the passenger side of the car, away from traffic, while working.
- Never crouch or kneel behind the car.
- Loosen the lug nuts before jacking the car up. Break them loose while the tire is still on the ground.
- Do not trust the compact spare (the "donut") above 50 mph or for more than 50 miles. It is a get-you-home tire, not a highway tire.

If you only have a donut spare and you're still 60 miles from your destination, towing is the smarter call. Read more about [what towing will cost when your spare isn't safe to drive on](/tire-blew-out-spare-tire-not-safe-to-drive-to-mechanic-towing-cost/).

## What Caused the Blowout and Does It Matter Right Now?

Right now, no, the cause doesn't matter. Get safe first. But once you're on the shoulder, it's worth a quick look because it changes your next step.

Common causes and what they look like:

- **Road debris or puncture:** You'll see a nail, screw, or chunk of metal embedded in the sidewall or tread.
- **Underinflation over time:** The sidewall shows a characteristic horizontal tear near the rim. Running low pr
![hazard lights car road](/images/tire-blowout-on-highway-what-to-do/mid.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*
essure generates heat that destroys the internal structure.
- **Overloading:** Usually shows as catastrophic sidewall failure on the rear tires of trucks or SUVs carrying heavy loads.
- **Impact damage:** A pothole strike can crack or separate the internal belts. [Hitting a pothole and hearing new noises](/car-hit-pothole-now-making-noise-should-i-drive-it/) is a warning sign that often comes before a blowout.

If the rim is bent or the bead is damaged, the spare won't seat correctly and you'll need a tow regardless.

## Who Do I Call and What Happens Next?

Call 911 first if anyone is injured or if you're in a lane of traffic and can't move the car safely. If you're safely on the shoulder with no injuries, call your roadside assistance provider: AAA, your insurance company's roadside line, or a local tow company.

If you don't have a roadside plan, [here's what emergency roadside assistance costs without a membership](/how-much-does-emergency-roadside-assistance-cost-without-membership/) so you're not caught off guard by the bill.

While you wait:

- Stay in the car with your seatbelt on if the shoulder is narrow. A car provides more protection than standing outside it.
- If the shoulder is wide and you're far from the travel lane, exit through the passenger side and stand behind the guardrail.
- Keep your hazards on the entire time, even in daylight.
- If a highway patrol officer stops, let them assist. They can call a wrecker and position their vehicle to block traffic.

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![tow truck highway](/images/tire-blowout-on-highway-what-to-do/bottom.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*

## Common Questions

**Q: Can I drive on a blown tire to the next exit?**
A: No. Driving on a blown tire destroys the rim and can make the car impossible to steer. Even a quarter mile on a flat can turn a $200 tire replacement into a $600 rim replacement or worse.

**Q: Why did my tire blow out with no warning?**
A: Most blowouts from underinflation give no dramatic warning. The tire slowly loses structural integrity from heat buildup, then fails suddenly. TPMS lights often come on too late, and many drivers ignore them. Check your tire pressure monthly, not just when the light comes on.

**Q: How much does a tow cost after a highway blowout?**
A: A local tow of 5 to 10 miles typically runs $75 to $125 without roadside assistance. Longer distance tows add $3 to $7 per mile beyond the base hook-up fee depending on your location.

**Q: What if my TPMS light was on before the blowout?**
A: That light means at least one tire is 25% below its recommended pressure, which is deep into the danger zone for blowout risk. If you drove on a lit TPMS, the underinflation was the direct cause. Check and inflate all four tires any time that light comes on.

**Q: Is a blowout covered by roadside assistance or car insurance?**
A: Roadside assistance covers the service call: tire change or tow. The tire itself is not covered by standard auto insurance unless you have specific tire and wheel protection. Collision or comprehensive won't pay for the tire, only for damage caused by the resulting accident if one occurred.

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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/tire-blowout-on-highway-what-to-do/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*