Can a Bulging Tire Still Be Driven On?
2 Answers
It cannot continue to be used. Causes of blowouts: Continuing to drive on a bulging car tire can easily lead to a blowout, endangering driving safety. Replace the tire with a new one as soon as possible, especially during the high temperatures of summer, when the risk is even greater. Causes of bulging: Aside from installation and manufacturing defects, most cases of tire bulging occur due to accidental impacts with obstacles (such as potholes) during use, which cause localized breakage in the tire wall's cord layers. Wheel rim issues: A commonly overlooked but significant factor is wheel rim deformation. A deformed wheel rim can forcefully squeeze the tire, damaging the cord layers and eventually leading to bulging after prolonged driving. If the bulging is caused by wheel rim deformation, both the tire and the wheel rim must be replaced together. Otherwise, no matter how many tires you replace, bulging will continue to occur.
I've been driving for many years, and a bulging tire is absolutely not safe to drive on. Once, I saw a friend's car have a tire blowout on the highway due to a bulge, which almost caused a serious accident. A bulging tire indicates internal structural damage—it's like the tire is 'sick' and can burst under pressure, especially during high-speed driving or sharp turns, making it extremely dangerous. I advise you to stop immediately and not risk driving further; have it towed to a repair shop for a new tire. Check the cause: it might be from hitting a pothole or low tire pressure causing deformation. Get into the habit of checking tire pressure monthly and maintaining it at the level recommended in your vehicle's manual—this can prevent many issues. When replacing tires, choose reliable brands and don’t skimp on cost—safety should always come first.
