new Prime Co driver

Actually there is. If you blow a steer tire, the only way to keep the truck stable and on the road is to go faster. Principle of the gyroscope... the additional side forces added by the blowout cause you to counter-steer... the usual result is going into the ditch or median (if any.) But if you go faster, the gyroscopic force of the spinning wheel will overcome the side forces. Once you get things under control, then you can slow down and stop.

If you're at the maximum speed the ECM will allow, there's nothing left for an emergency.

 

Thank You Ironpony,

Great answer, worded in laymans terms.
I just hope a few remember it.

There's a video somewhere, that demonstates the procedure. Perhaps on ol blue usa or something similiar.

 

Yup , it was Ol' Blue
http://www.olblueusa.org/video/streaming/tire_blowout.html

 

I had this happen in a governed truck. Your instant reaction when the tire blows is to lift your foot off the throttle, so you still end up with some power reserved to regain control.

You make a good point, but you are incorrect in real life driving situations.

 

great snag,

Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to let Michelin Tire know about it.

They could save a ton of research money, couldn't they !!

Be safe out there !!!

 

Wow! Sorry I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers with my personal anecdote. I'll shut up so you po-fesh-nulls can talk...

 

WOW!!!

You screwed-up, so that makes me incorrect! I'll have to save that one for future reference!!

 

Cool flick! Got any others...seriously!

 

Agreed! I second that motion. I actually learned a thing or two from that video and feel much more prepared if I ever have a blowout. Great link to share.

 

Haven't watched that flick myself... saw one when I went to wheelholders school. Here's something else that may not have been included: Blowouts are most commonly caused by road debris and improper tire inflation - that would be under-inflation.

Mike Becket, the guy who owns MD Alignments has a couple of books out on 3-axle alignments and truck tires. The guy has been doing that longer than many of us have been alive - says he has never seen a tire fail from over inflation. When the tire is under inflated it gets too hot more quickly than when there is too much pressure; they are designed to take a pressure increase. Remember the Ford Exploder... er I mean Explorer deal a number of years back? Thats what Ford and the NTSB traced their problems back to... tires failiing from low tire pressure - and crummy vehicle dynamics.