The tires are one of the most important features of your vehicle. A flat, leaking, or bulging tire can be potentially hazardous because they can cause blowouts. A tire bulge is a sign the interior of the tire has failed and the tire needs to be repaired as soon as possible. If the tire is not replaced, it can burst open, causing the driver to lose control and potentially cause an accident.
If you suspect there is something wrong with your tire, you may want to know a few things about a bulge in your tire and how it may affect your driving:
A tire bulge can be caused by road hazards, such as hitting a curb or pothole. Sometimes you may not notice the reason the tire bulge occurred, just that it appeared one day. As soon as you notice a tire bulge, contact a mechanic so you can have your tire replaced.
Over loading the tire or under inflating the tire are other common causes of a tire bulge. If the vehicle is too heavy, it puts too much pressure on the tires causing them to fail. In addition, under inflating the tire does not give the tire the support it needs to properly handle the vehicle. Make sure to take note how much your vehicle can handle, along with keeping your tires inflated.
When a tire bulges, air gets through the internal layers and reaches the outside of the tire. It then collects under the outer layer of the tire. The result is the tire bulge, as the pressurized air is migrating from the inside toward the outside trying to escape.
A tire bulge can strain the cords on the interior of the tire and cause the tire to fail. Since the tire is weakened, it cannot handle road hazards such as potholes, curbs, rocks, and other debris. Once you notice a tire bulge, you need to have the tire replaced right away.
Driving with a tire bulge is a safety hazard as the tire could blowout without notice. A blowout on a tire can cause you to lose control of a vehicle, and cause an accident. In rare cases, a tire bulge can be caused by a manufacturer defect. If this is the case, your repair should be covered under a warranty. Other more common causes for a tire bulge include road hazards such as curbs, or potholes. If you notice a tire bulge, you should know that a tire bulge cannot be repaired so the whole tire will need to be replaced by a mechanic.
