Commercial drivers learn how to prevent steer tire blowouts through pre-trip inspection, checking pressure, tread depth of at least 4/32 inch, and sidewall condition. If a blowout happens, grip the wheel firmly, avoid hard braking, make smooth corrections, and gradually move to a safe shoulder.
A steer tire failure is one of the most dangerous emergencies a commercial driver can face. A sudden blowout can cause a severe pulling, rapid lane departure, a rollover, or a collision with surrounding traffic. Thorough pre-trip inspections are your best defense against blowouts. Don't assume a tire is safe because it looked good yesterday. Check tire pressure. Use a gauge to check both steer tires. Don't rely on kicking or thumping the tire. Follow the pressure established for the vehicle and load. Whenever possible, check tire pressure before driving, While the tires are cold. Heat increases tire pressure, so a reading taken after driving may not reveal that the tire was underinflated at the beginning of the trip. Inspect the tread. Use a tread depth gauge in several locations across each steer tire. Steer tires on commercial trucks and buses must have at least 4/32 of an inch of tread in the major grooves. Look for uneven wear. Watch for shoulder wear, cupping, flat spots, feathering, or tread worn more heavily on one side. Uneven wear may indicate an inflation, alignment, balance, steering, or suspension problem. Inspect both sidewalls. Inspect the outside and inside sidewalls of each steer tire. Use a flashlight when necessary. Look for cuts, cracks, bulges, exposed cords, punctures, impact damage, or signs of separation. Check between the treads. Look closely between the tread grooves for cuts, stones, metal, or other objects. A tire can remain inflated even when damage has already occurred and a failure may be developing. Inspect the wheel assembly. Check the rim, valve stem, valve cap, lug nuts, and hub. Look for cracks, missing or loose components, rust trails, shiny threads, leaking hub oil, or any indication that the wheel has moved. Respond to road impacts. A hard pothole strike, curb impact, or contact with roadway debris can damage a steer tire internally. Stop at the first safe location and carefully reinspect the tire and wheel assembly. Recognize warning signs. Don't ignore new vibration, pulling, wobbling steering wheel movement, thumping, or a tire pressure warning. Slow down smoothly and stop at a safe location to inspect the vehicle. Never take the chance. Don't keep driving because you're close to home, a delivery, or repair shop. Report a questionable steer tire immediately and have it properly inspected before returning the vehicle to service. When a blowout happens, a steer tire blowout may produce a loud explosion, violent vibration, flying debris, and an immediate pull toward the failed tire. Your actions during the next several seconds are critical. Grip the steering wheel. Grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands. Keep your arms controlled and your eyes looking toward the safe path you want the vehicle to follow. Don't slam the brakes. Don't slam or stab the brake pedal. Hard braking transfers weight forward and can increase the pull toward the failed tire, making your vehicle much more difficult to control. Stabilize the vehicle. Try to keep your vehicle pointed straight and hold your lane. Use small, smooth steering corrections. Don't jerk the steering wheel or immediately make a sharp move toward the shoulder. Keep the vehicle balanced. Instead of immediately taking your foot off the gas, brief, gentle pressure on the accelerator helps the drive wheels pull the vehicle straight and counteract the drag of the blown tire. Once your vehicle is stable, gradually ease off the accelerator and allow it to slow naturally. Activate the emergency flashers when you can do so without losing focus on vehicle control. Move to a safe location. After your speed has decreased and the vehicle is under control, apply the brakes gently. Signal and move gradually toward a wide shoulder, exit ramp, or other safe stopping location. Secure the vehicle. Stop as far away from moving traffic as reasonably possible. Set the parking brake, leave the emergency flashers activated, and contact 911, dispatch, maintenance, or emergency roadside assistance. Protect yourself after stopping. Remain alert to passing traffic. Don't stand beside the damaged steer tire or remain exposed on the traffic side of your truck. Place your warning devices when it's safe. Don't continue driving. Never attempt to drive on a failed steer tire. Additional movement can cause loss of control and may severely damage the wheel, steering components, suspension, or other parts of the vehicle. Remember this response sequence: grip the wheel firmly, Stay off the brakes, stabilize the vehicle, ease off the accelerator, slow down gradually, then brake gently and move to a safe stopping location. A few extra minutes spent inspecting your steer tires helps prevent a catastrophic crash. Take warning signs seriously and never operate your vehicle with a steer tire you don't trust. Thanks for watching, and stay safe out there!
