During a tire blowout at speed, which step should you take first?

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The immediate priority is to maintain control of the vehicle. A tire blowout can cause the steering to yank and the car to pull toward the flat, so the first thing to do is grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands and keep the car on a steady path. This steady, firm grip helps you resist a sudden, uncontrolled pull and allows you to steer with calm, controlled inputs as the vehicle begins to slow.

After you’ve established a solid grip, ease off the accelerator slowly to lose speed gradually. Avoid braking hard, which can destabilize the car further on a damaged tire. Don’t try to swerve abruptly or turn off the engine at once; both can remove critical steering and braking assistance and increase the risk of an out-of-control skid. Instead, steer smoothly toward a safe area and pull off when you can do so safely, then assess and stop.