http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5179620

Click on the tires at the bottom. I can't seem to get the link to go directly to the story.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897&affil=katv

Almost everything has a shelf life. It was a big part of our part stock (benchstock) program in the USAF, keeping track of how old seals and other parts were.

When I got my '73 Vette about a year ago one of the first things I did was drop the spare tire. Calling it a "tire" was a stretch. I don't know if it was the original but it wasn't far off.

I have had a tire come apart before and it was NOT any harder to control than a non-separation blow out. I believe most, if not all, of those "tests" are flat out faked or highly exaggerated (like the fire danger with the Chevy truck fuel tanks).

It does tear up the car though.

Based on my observations of many people's relaxed driving habits, I believe that most of those roll over accidents occurred b/c the driver did not have their hands on the wheel or were just resting it on the wheel when the event occurred. Any kind of blow out in that situation can quickly escalate to a very bad situation. I believe it was C/D that did tests up to and including actually cutting the tread off the tire while they were driving with no particular difficulties with control.

--Outlaw.

I was an OTR tech for over 5 years. I've changed tires on airliners, mining equipment, trucks, and cars. You name it. I've had a truck tire (11:00/R22.5) blowup in my face, less than a meter away. I was airborne but the only injury was a few days of deafness.

I also did recapping and repair/vulcanization. Trust me when I say tires do dry out and become dangerous.

Not all blow outs are dangerous. It really depends on many factors from speed to vehicle, to the actual driving. My brother had a front blow out on him. He was driving a 76' International COE. The truck went out of control and actually pitch-poled once before rolling down an embankment. He was lucky to have survived.

What happened? When the tire blew the rim dug into the asphalt.

I had a front blowout on a 88' Mack. Barely felt it.

There are many variables involved. It's quite possible the driver of the mini-van was pulling out to pass or pulling in after passing. And although they showed a tester losing control, it doesn't mean, nor did they claim, it's a common occurrence. They simply said it sometimes happens.

A big +1 to the grip of the steering wheel. I can't believe how many people drive with their damned finger tips. Idiots.

quote:

Originally posted by Pirschjaeger:
And although they showed a tester losing control, it doesn't mean, nor did they claim, it's a common occurrence. They simply said it sometimes happens.

You're right PJ, and I should have elaborated a bit more. My comments are really more towards the lawsuit "industry" in general and the "tests" they use to misleadingly place blame rather than this specific case.

--Outlaw.

What would have been nice is if they had mentioned what percentages of tests ended with the driver losing control.

But I fear it wouldn't make for interesting news.