Final answer:
In a tire blowout, do not slam on the brakes suddenly as it can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Instead, ease off the gas, maintain your lane, and brake gently after slowing down.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the event of a tire blowout, there are several important steps you should take to maintain control of the vehicle and safely navigate to the side of the road. One key action you should not do is to slam on the brakes suddenly. This can lead to a loss of vehicle control, especially when one of the tires has lost its structural integrity.
Instead, you should gradually reduce your speed by easing off the gas pedal and carefully steering to maintain your lane until the vehicle has slowed sufficiently. Only then should you gently apply the brakes to bring the car to a stop, preferably on the side of the road where you will not obstruct traffic.
It's also important to grip the steering wheel firmly and avoid overcorrecting with sharp or sudden movements, as this could cause the vehicle to spin or swerve unpredictably. After slowing down and pulling over to a safe location, you can proceed with changing the tire or calling for roadside assistance.