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Can you tell me why my car won’t start after a tire blowout?

I recently had a blowout and immediately pulled over to call a friend. When I tried to start the car, I couldn’t get the engine to turn over! Can you tell me why my car won’t start after a tire blowout?

avatar
Bonnie Stinson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
That sounds so scary! Usually, a car won’t start after a tire blowout because of interference with the battery, damage to the fuel shut-off switch, or damage to a wire harness or sensor.
As a first step, check the battery terminals to ensure the connections are tight. A violent blowout may cause you to lose a ground.
A rear tire blowout might affect the fuel pump reset button or fuel shut-off switch in the trunk by the wheel well in some models. To reset it, check your owner’s guide to confirm the location of the switch, and then press the button manually to rest.
A front tire blowout could cause damage to a wire harness in the inner fender or the crankshaft sensor. In this situation, you may need to install a new part and get the wiring spliced.
Either way, you should bring your car to a repair shop ASAP where a technician can replace your tire and inspect your vehicle for damage. If it is unsafe to drive,
get a tow
.
Most car insurance policies won’t cover standard wear-and-tear repairs like this. However, you may want to consider adding
towing and labor coverage
for the future. The
Jerry
app, a
licensed broker
, can help you adjust your policy—and look for a cheaper one.
It’ll take less time than your tire replacement, and the average Jerry user saves more than $800 per year on their
car insurance
payments!
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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