Recently, a series of tire-related traffic accidents have occurred on highways and urban roads across China, once again highlighting the importance of driving safety. According to preliminary statistics from traffic authorities, the proportion of accidents directly or indirectly caused by tire problems such as blowouts and insufficient pressure has increased since the beginning of autumn. In response to this critical situation, automotive safety experts are urgently calling on all vehicle owners to enhance their awareness of regular tire inspection and maintenance to eliminate potential hazards at their source.

Hidden Dangers: Analyzing the Three Major Causes of Tire Blowouts
Why do seemingly minor tire issues lead to such serious accidents? Dr. Wang Minghao, a senior engineer at the National Motor Vehicle Product Quality Inspection Center, identified three primary causes of tire blowouts in an exclusive interview with our publication:

Abnormal Tire Pressure - The "Silent Killer":
Dr. Wang emphasized that "tire pressure issues are the leading cause of blowouts and are often overlooked." When tire pressure is too low, the contact area between the tire and the road increases, causing excessive bending of the sidewalls. This leads to accelerated aging of the internal rubber layers and a sharp increase in heat generation, ultimately resulting in structural fatigue and blowouts. Conversely, overinflated tires become hardened and lose elasticity, reducing their shock-absorbing capacity and making them more susceptible to blowouts when encountering road impacts or bumps during high-speed driving.

Excessive Wear – "The Loss of Grip":
The depth of the tire tread is directly related to the vehicle's drainage, grip, and braking performance. When the tread wears down to the level of the wear limit indicator (typically 1.6 mm in height), the tire's performance has significantly deteriorated. This is especially dangerous on wet or slippery roads, where the risk of skidding and losing control increases dramatically.

External Damage and Aging – "The Marks of Time":
Bulges on the tire sidewall often indicate that the internal cords have broken, while visible cuts or cracks directly weaken the tire's structural integrity. Additionally, even with low mileage, rubber naturally ages over time (typically recommended for replacement after 5–6 years), leading to cracking and hardening, which significantly reduces its pressure and impact resistance.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure: A Guide to Daily Tire Self-Inspection and Maintenance for Vehicle Owners
Faced with potential risks, vehicle owners are not powerless. Developing the following simple daily self-inspection habits can add layers of protection to safe driving:

Monthly Check, When Cold:
Use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, at least once a month. The check must be done when the tires are cold (i.e., after the vehicle has been parked for at least three hours or driven no more than 2 kilometers). The tire pressure value must follow the manufacturer’s recommended standard (usually found on a label inside the driver’s door jamb, on the fuel cap, or in the vehicle’s user manual).

Pre-Drive "Walk-Around":
Before setting off, take a minute to walk around the vehicle and visually inspect the tires for obvious issues such as nails, cuts, bulges, or abnormal wear. This is a simple yet highly effective safety habit.

The "Coin" Test:
If you don’t have a professional tread depth gauge, use a one-yuan coin. Insert the coin into the tread groove with the reverse side facing up. If the full Chinese characters on the edge of the coin are visible, the tread depth is insufficient, and the tire should be replaced as soon as possible.

Check the Production Date and Rotate Regularly:
Look for the "DOT" mark on the tire sidewall. The last four digits indicate the week and year of production. For example, "2123" means the tire was produced in the 21st week of 2023. Even if the tread is still acceptable, tires older than six years should be inspected by a professional technician and considered for replacement. Additionally, rotate the tires every 8,000–10,000 kilometers to ensure even wear and extend their lifespan.

Invest in Safety with Technology:
Equipping your vehicle with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) has become a mainstream choice. It can monitor tire pressure and temperature in real time and provide immediate warnings in case of abnormalities, giving drivers valuable reaction time.

Industry Collaboration: Building a Safety Net from Source to End
Beyond vehicle owners’ vigilance, collaboration across the automotive industry is crucial. Reporters learned from several brand 4S stores and large chain automotive service providers that they have made tire safety inspections a mandatory part of every routine maintenance service.

"On our maintenance checklist, tire inspections include over ten items, such as tire pressure measurement, tread depth detection, and visual inspection (bulges, cuts, uneven wear)," said a technical director of an automotive service chain. "We clearly inform every vehicle owner of their tire conditions and provide professional recommendations. For tires with serious hazards, we firmly advise owners to replace them immediately and explain the risks in detail."

Experts also emphasize that tire manufacturers and retailers should enhance consumer education by more effectively communicating tire safety knowledge and usage requirements during the sales process. Only when every segment of the entire industry chain—from production and sales to daily use and professional maintenance—prioritizes tire safety can a stronger protective network for driving safety be established.

Tires are the only bridge between a vehicle and the road, and their condition directly impacts the safety of drivers and passengers. A blowout accident can range from a frightening experience with property damage to a catastrophic event resulting in loss of life. Prevention is far better than cure, and safe driving is no trivial matter. We urge every vehicle owner to start caring about their tires as much as they care about fuel consumption, developing good inspection and maintenance habits. Let us work together to safeguard every journey.