Coming onto the M40 at junction 3 this morning (about 6:50, so relativley clear), its a long curve then a straight until you join the motorway. I'd got upto about 60 when it felt like the car suddenly pulled, hard, to the left.. like I'd understeered really badly or hit a massive patch of oil or something. For a split second I thought "Hmm.. this has never happened before.." then I ended up swerving left, missing a car to the side of me by millimeters, then swerving right, over the lane marker and almost sideways onto the motorway.. again, missing a car by sheer luck. There was no bang from the tyre when it happened and I eventually got the car going straight-ish. It would only have been about 3 or 4 seconds but they were probably the most scary of my life! There was now lots of noise from the tyre and people behind were flashing and pointing at the wheel.. as if they expected I didn't know something was wrong! I eventually had the wheel changed (for the spare.. brand new.. never even been out of the boot!) and got to see the blown tyre. All around the outside edge were holes, the size of a 2p peice about 3 - 4 inches apart.. almost like someone had attacked it with a screwdriver or something. The inside edge was torn, but probably from driving on it for the short distance until I could safely pull over.

Edited: I'd better just mention that it was the rear off-side tyre that blew.. the tyre on the outside of the corner I was travelling through, loaded at the time because I was accelerating upto the motorway speeds.

Anyway, the tyre had loads of tread left, no damage, correct pressure etc. Continental conti 2 (I think). I may post a picture if anyone is interested and I am definatley looking forward to hearing what my tyre fitter has to say about it.. anyway, valuing my life over the car / money.. I'm off to get the new tyre matched on the otherside and a couple for the front too... but first.. a nice strong cup of tea!

Scarey when it happens innit

At least you didn't hit the brakes like most seem to, seen quite a few pirouettes :(

Whats the best thing to do? try and correct it? speed up? slow down? etc....

Avoid putting weight on it if possible, or as little as possible. If the blown tyre ends up taking the grunt of the weight you'll be flying round.

That said I reckon I'd probably end up spinning anyway :roll:

Glad you're ok though, and that you managed to avoid an accident as well

I've been fortunate enough not to have had a blow-out, hope I never will experience it tbh :eek:

Whats the best thing to do? try and correct it? speed up? slow down? etc....

Standard advice is to put the clutch down to let the car coast to a stop, and try and safely steer across to the hard shoulder. Easier said than done in such a situation!!! A skid pan session will teach you what it feels like and how to control it

Have you found out what the cause of the blow out was?

Chris

Wouldnt it be better to use engine braking instead of just depressing the clutch pedal?

No, there would still be drive going to the wheels

I see. Good to know what you are supposed to do, cos TBH, I didn't have a clue before this morning

I usually keep a balance of power until the car has stabilised, then gradually slow down to a stop.

If it didnt go bang - it wasnt a blowout.

Ive experienced a couple of blowouts in trucks, and that is pretty scary, for me, and everyone travelling nearby.

I had two go on the rear of a Citroen BX within a week.

Yup i've been there too. scary as hell. I was doing 70 in the outside lane of the motorway when the nearside rear tyre blew out. Somehow managed to get the Peugeot 309 I was driving stopped on the hard shoulder (albeit facing in the wrong direction) without hitting another car . Glad you are ok anyhow.

Not a blowout but a number of years ago ran out of fuel on my bike and pulled the clutch to change to neutral at 70 'ish, missed neutral and flicked into 1st at which point the clutch actuating rod adjuster decided to let go and the clutch re-engaged at which point the back wheel stopped (shaft driven bike and a wet road) I have no idea how I managed to stay on as the bike fishtailed several times before it came to rest. :eek: