Why so many blowouts?
I see a lot of posts on this site about blowouts... Is it due to extreme heat? Exposure to sun? Speed? Low tire pressure? A combination?
The majority of posts seem to be from southern areas where it's typically much warmer, with a lot more sun. I live in a coastal rain-forest in BC: things that aren't covered up turn green in a hurry. I don't get much sun - it's usually overcast or raining and temperatures stay low through most of the year.
In over 40 years of driving I've never had a blowout and I don't know anyone who has. I've had punctures and I've popped tires and wrecked rims due to hitting stuff in the road but I've never had a tire blow for no apparent reason.
When we travel we head north. We've done thousands of miles in Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories and northern BC and Alberta, much of it on what I would call primitive gravel roads that will rattle your teeth out. I've had overhead cabinets fall off the ceiling on the way to Telegraph Creek and once in my old Itasca had the ignition key and cylinder rattle out of the dash and hit me in the foot while I was driving. Heading to Fort Simpson a few years ago we had the front wheels airborne several times hitting frost-heaves at speed which has got to be tough on tires, but I've never had a blowout.
So what is it that causes blowouts? The only thing I can think of is the cumulative effects on the tire of extreme temperatures over long periods, and long exposure to the sun.
Am I delusional? Am I just lucky?
The majority of posts seem to be from southern areas where it's typically much warmer, with a lot more sun. I live in a coastal rain-forest in BC: things that aren't covered up turn green in a hurry. I don't get much sun - it's usually overcast or raining and temperatures stay low through most of the year.
In over 40 years of driving I've never had a blowout and I don't know anyone who has. I've had punctures and I've popped tires and wrecked rims due to hitting stuff in the road but I've never had a tire blow for no apparent reason.
When we travel we head north. We've done thousands of miles in Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories and northern BC and Alberta, much of it on what I would call primitive gravel roads that will rattle your teeth out. I've had overhead cabinets fall off the ceiling on the way to Telegraph Creek and once in my old Itasca had the ignition key and cylinder rattle out of the dash and hit me in the foot while I was driving. Heading to Fort Simpson a few years ago we had the front wheels airborne several times hitting frost-heaves at speed which has got to be tough on tires, but I've never had a blowout.
So what is it that causes blowouts? The only thing I can think of is the cumulative effects on the tire of extreme temperatures over long periods, and long exposure to the sun.
Am I delusional? Am I just lucky?
