Is It Safe to Drive on a Tire with a Bubble?

Bubbles in your tires are generally caused by impacts on the road. Hitting the edges of potholes, small collisions, hitting a curb and speed bumps can all cause the sidewall to bulge in your tires. Your tires should always be smooth and round, so if you notice a bubble on the sidewall or see a section of tread bulging, it’s a sign that something is very wrong, and you should stop driving immediately. Tires that have a bubble are not safe to drive. When your tire has a bubble, the fabric of the inner tire can no longer protect your tire from bursting when pressure develops from contact with the road.

The most common place to see a bubble in the tire is the sidewall. Tire bubbles can also form in areas where the rubber has worn very thin. Driving on a tire that has a bubble is very dangerous and there is a high possibility that it will blow out on you. Your top priority should be getting the tire replaced as soon as possible because as more moisture and air seeps in, the bubbles will get larger.

How to Prevent Tire Bubbles

There are some ways to prevent tire bubbles from occurring. It may be difficult to avoid coming in contact with potholes and speed bumps, but there are some precautions we can take to avoid bubbles from forming. Prevention is always better than cure, so to make sure your tires are able to have a long lifespan and keep you safe, follow these steps for preventing tire bubbles.

• Avoid Potholes – Potholes are the biggest culprit behind tire bubbles. Always try to steer safely away from hitting potholes.
• Drive Carefully – Drive carefully without rushing over speedbumps. Be cautious when parking and driving around curbs and sidewalks.
• Maintenance – Inspect your tires often and look for changes in structure and pressure. Use a tire pressure gauge to check your tire pressure regularly.

Damage as a result of tire bubbles cannot be repaired because a tire bubble means the tire’s structural integrity has been compromised. It’s just no longer safe to drive on because the tire’s internal structure has failed. The tire will have to get replaced, and driving should be suspended. As a precautionary measure, regularly inspect your tires and make sure they have enough pressure. Visit our auto repair service center and have your tire replaced as soon as you notice a tire bubble.