Tire blew out on interstate (at 70mph!)

[icu400]

Wow I darn near crapped my pants when this happened. I was driving along at around 65-70 on the interstate and all the sudden I heard a slight pop and the car leaned hard to the right (front right tire blew). I had to turn the wheel near all the way to the left to keep in my lane. So then I had to cross 3 lanes of traffic on my rim (there was no median where I was and barriers made the shoulder way too small. So I got off, and changed tires, and fortunately the rim was ok (have no idea how, but it was ok). So now I have a new tire, but I have a few questions:

1) I went with michelin, but the other 3 are still BFG, should I switch um all go michelin?

2) The tire pressure on the door says 26 PSI, but that seems a bit low to me. I have um at around 28 right now, is that too high then, or about right?

3) Now I am wondering about tire pressure and what causes this sort of thing. I am pretty sure the tire blew due to a nail (found a hole in the shredded tred) but could the pressure cause that sort of thing? If so would it be a pressure too high or too low?

Finally, what caused all the firestone/explorer roll overs? I thought it was tires blowing out on freeways. What was up with all that?

Thanks guys, still a bit shakin up, but I think its all good now.

 

[Blee1099]

BFG & Michelin are the same company now.. You probably hit something to cause it to blow out.. I've been there and done that before.. I did that back in December.. It was definately fun.

 

[rydinhigh]

I would deffinately change atleast the front two to the same brand. Sorry to hear about your misfortune atleast you made it out ok. As far as tire pressure run a search for chalk test. This will help you find your best tire pressure. When I had my 95 I had the stock tires set around 28 psi. Then the 31's were around 35psi. Stock psi on my 99 is right around 30. On my 255-55-18's I have the psi set at 38. It all depends on the tire and the load as to what tire pressure to set it to. Do the chalk test and you will see what im talking about.

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

i would think that the tires should be ok as long as they are the same type,

like all-season or all-terrains,

i wouldn't run my tires under 32 psi,

on mine i prefer about 35 psi

 

[Alec]

Run 32-35 PSI.

Tires should always be alike on the same axle, preferably all 4 the same. (brand if possible, size, model if possible, tread depth, etc)

You know how to drive, most people panic and make sudden braking or steering inputs when a blowout happens.

I'm glad you're ok!

 

[Opera House]

Hey, Ford sent everyone new door stickers with the new recommended tire pressure a few years ago. If I look in my pile of stuff it still might be there. I had a rear sidewall blow out, hardly even felt it.

 

[icu400]

i have um at around 30-31 each now, even 28 sounded way too low

thanks for the info though, if you do find that sticker let me know, this seems like a good compromise for now though

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

I go by what the tires says on it. Isn't that the safest bet???

 

[F14CRAZY]

I go by what the tires says on it. Isn't that the safest bet???

Not sure, but that's what I do. My new Dayton Timberlines say 44, but the door sticker says 26 PSI I believe. It's just too low.

 

[Alec]

I go by what the tires says on it. Isn't that the safest bet???

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!

The tire sidewall lists max pressure. Running most tires at the max recommended pressure will result in poor handling, tire wear, instability of the vehicle, and a rough ride.

Most vehicles should run 32-35 PSI.

 

[F14CRAZY]

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!

The tire sidewall lists max pressure. Running most tires at the max recommended pressure will result in poor handling, tire wear, instability of the vehicle, and a rough ride.

Most vehicles should run 32-35 PSI.

Aw frick. My bad Alec. I agreed with him. I'll let them back down to about 35, although they seemed a bit too mushy at that. Like I said, I go by the door sticker on everything else, but 26 PSI is unrealistic, except for the Firestone ATXs from the original advertising...

 

[DocVijay]

WFinally, what caused all the firestone/explorer roll overs? I thought it was tires blowing out on freeways. What was up with all that?

Basically just idiots who don't know how to drive. It was all just media hype. Like Alec said, people usually panic and jerk the wheel or slam on the brakes or do something else that will only cause you to loose control. You did it the right way. The average person does NOT know how to drive, nor do they deserve to. We are all glad you cam out of this OK.

 

[icu400]

alrighty, thanks folks

tires at 31 each and in a week or so I am gonna replace the rest of them so they are all the same brand (was a bit short of cash at the time...)

thanks for the feedback, nite

 

[Sallad420]

To answer your Firestone question, I belive the tread seperated from the actual tire.