Most people don’t put too much thought into their tires until they notice something unusual. When a bubble or a bulge forms on one of your tires, you should take notice. This indicates that your tire has undergone irreversible damage.
You’ll want to have that tire replaced immediately as it could lead to a car accident. Remember, every driver on the road owes all other drivers a duty to drive safely. This includes properly maintaining your vehicle to keep it road-safe. If another vehicle crashes into yours due to faulty tires, you should contact a car accident-focused law firm to help you recover compensation for your damages.
What Can Cause a Bubble in My Tire?
If you look at the sidewall of one of your tires and see a bubble, it is caused by air that has escaped from the inner liner to the outermost surface portion of your tire. All tires are made of a variety of components. These include the inner liner, belts, body plies, sidewall, bead, and tread.
The inner liner keeps the air between it and the rim. When a tire undergoes an impact, the inner liner and other parts of the tire can be punctured, resulting in gaps between the sidewall layers. The gaps cause the air to escape the space.
This damage can be caused by driving on tires with pressure that is too high or too low. You can also cause bubbles in your tires from driving on bumpy roads riddled with potholes. When driving over speed bumps, you should also take caution as driving over them too fast can lead to this type of damage. The same is true of driving over railroad tracks.
This is how most tires wind up with bubbles in the sidewall, but sometimes it may be from a manufacturing defect. If the tires weren’t manufactured correctly or the manufacturer used inferior materials, there will be a greater likelihood of bulging in the sidewalls.
In other situations, you may find a bulge on the tire tread. Bulges in this area indicate that your tire has a broken belt inside it. You’re bound to notice this when you drive as it will create a bumping sensation. Don’t ignore it because it’s just as dangerous as a sidewall bubble.
Can I Still Drive on a Tire with a Sidewall Bubble?
It is imperative that you do not drive any further once you notice a sidewall bubble on your tire. It can pop at any time, leading to a dangerous blowout while you’re on the road. This could also damage your wheel and suspension.
Tires with a bubble in the sidewall are weakened and can’t resist bumps, rocks, potholes, or debris. If you need to go somewhere, you should replace the tire with the bubble with a spare. While it may seem like an added aggravation, you should be happy you noticed before driving with this type of hazard. You likely saved yourself and others from a terrifying car accident.
Can You Fix a Tire with a Bubble or a Bulge?
Unfortunately, there is no way to repair a tire that has a bubble in the sidewall or a bulge on the tread. You will need to replace the affected tire as the damage is in the internal portion.
When there is structural damage to the internal components of your tire, there is no simple fix through patching or plugging. The cords inside the body of the tire uphold its structural integrity, and once broken, there is no way to restore them.
While that’s unhappy news for your wallet, you will feel relieved to get a new tire and avoid a dangerous blowout on the road. If your other tires are reaching the end of their lifespan, you may want to consider replacing all four of them at once. You’ll likely save money when you purchase tires in a set of four, but if your tires are relatively new, it may not make much sense.
You can always replace the one affected tire, though buying tires in sets of two can be better for your vehicle. If you buy only one new tire, it will cause uneven wear for the rest of the tires on your car.
Is There a Way to Prevent Tire Bubbles?
It’s not always possible to prevent certain events, such as running over a pothole; however, taking care of your tires and your vehicle will greatly reduce your chances for winding up in this situation.
Maintain Your Tires
It is always wise to keep your entire vehicle maintained from the engine to the tires. Make sure that you get tire rotations when advised by your mechanic. Check the tread depth of your tires to prevent them from getting worn, and be sure to follow the recommended PSI levels for your tires.
Always Keep a Spare
Even though spare tires are not as durable as regular tires, they can help in a pinch. If you don’t have a spare, get one and keep it in your vehicle. Hopefully, you’ll never need it but it’s an extra precaution you can take when on the road.
Put a Tire Gauge in Your Glove Box
A tire gauge is a handy tool that can help you monitorf the condition of your tires. I you stop for gas and add air to your tires, the tire pressure monitor may be inaccurate. This gauge will ensure you add the proper amount of air to your tires.
Pay Attention to Vehicle Warnings and the Road
Driving while staying alert should help you avoid most potholes and the other types of hazards that can cause bubbles in your tires. Additionally, check your tire pressure monitor warning. If the monitor indicates that your tire pressure is too low, get off the road and add more air when you can.
Remember, air bubbles in your tires mean you need to take prompt action before you wind up in a serious situation. Don’t delay getting them replaced!