Vehicle Advice19 October 2026

Tyre Blowout While Driving? What South Africans Should Do

If a tyre suddenly loses pressure at speed, hold the steering wheel firmly, keep the vehicle as straight as possible, ease off the accelerator and avoid harsh braking or sudden steering. Let the car slow progressively, then indicate and move to a safe stopping place only when control has returned.

Information checked: 19 October 2026. General safety guidance; the vehicle handbook and tyre manufacturer instructions take priority.

Original Motordeal Premium safety graphic. Guidance cross-checked against AA South Africa, Arrive Alive and Michelin South Africa.

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What to do during a tyre blowout

Stay calm and look ahead. A bang, vibration or pull can trigger an unsafe overreaction.
Hold the wheel with both hands. Keep a firm grip without an abrupt correction.
Ease off the accelerator. Reduce power smoothly. Do not stamp on the brake.
Keep the vehicle straight. Arrive Alive warns against aggressive swerving or braking after tyre failure.
Let the car slow. Once stable and slower, indicate and steer gently to a safe place away from traffic.
Use hazards when appropriate. Warn others without taking attention from controlling the car.

What to avoid

Do not slam on the brakes while unstable.
Do not jerk the wheel towards the shoulder.
Do not stop in a live lane if the car can still be guided safely off the road.
Do not stand between the car and fast traffic.
Do not crawl under a vehicle supported only by its factory jack.

After stopping

Stop as far from traffic as conditions safely allow, switch on hazards and assess the surroundings before anyone exits. If the shoulder is narrow, visibility is poor, traffic is fast or the area feels unsafe, call roadside assistance or emergency services. From a mobile phone in South Africa, 112 can be used for emergencies.

Only change a wheel on stable, level ground with enough separation from traffic, the parking brake applied and the vehicle secured exactly as its handbook directs. Otherwise call a qualified roadside service.

Can you drive on the damaged tyre?

A conventional flat tyre should not be driven on. Continuing can destroy the tyre, damage the wheel and reduce control. A run-flat may permit limited travel, but only within the speed, distance and load limits specified for that exact tyre and vehicle.

What causes sudden pressure loss?

Contributors include pothole or kerb impacts, cuts, punctures, sidewall bulges, incorrect inflation, overloading, ageing and earlier damage. Michelin warns that a sidewall bulge can indicate damaged internal structure and a risk of rapid pressure loss; damaged sidewalls generally require replacement.

How to reduce the risk

Check cold pressures using the vehicle manufacturer label or handbook, not the maximum moulded on the tyre.
Inspect every tyre, including the spare, for cuts, cracking, bulges, exposed cords and unusual wear.
Have recurring pressure loss, vibration or impact damage inspected by a reputable tyre specialist.
Keep the correct jack, wheel tool, locking-wheel-nut key and roadside-assistance details in the car.
Respect load limits and use tyres of the correct specification.

The AA South Africa advises motorists to treat tyres as critical safety equipment and warns that under-inflation and over-inflation can both be dangerous.

Buying or preparing a vehicle?

A pre-purchase inspection should include tyre age, matching specifications, sidewall condition, tread and spare-wheel equipment. Browse our showroom, explore finance, request a trade-in, or contact us.