How Long Can a Bulging Tire Last?

[McLaila]

After a car tire bulges, it should not be driven any further as it poses a threat to personal safety. Below is information about tire bulging: 1. Once a tire develops a bulge, the rubber at the damaged area becomes very thin. Continuing to drive can easily lead to air leakage or even a tire blowout, which is extremely dangerous, especially when driving at high speeds. If a blowout does occur, absolutely avoid slamming on the brakes. 2. The main cause of bulging is when the tire is subjected to impact while driving, such as suddenly hitting a curb, quickly driving over a speed bump, or running over a large pothole. In such cases, the tire undergoes intense compression, and the internal air pressure increases, causing the weaker sidewall to bulge outward. If the force of this bulge causes the tire's internal cord layers to stretch and break, a noticeable bulging phenomenon will appear.

[McLeah]

I've been driving for over 30 years, and tire bulges are absolutely not something to take lightly. It means the internal cord layers of the tire have broken, and air pressure has created a bulge at the weak spot—just like a ticking time bomb. Once you hit the road, especially at high speeds, bumps or turns can put tremendous pressure on the bulged area, which may lead to an instant blowout, causing loss of vehicle control or even a rollover, drastically increasing the risk of an accident. I remember a friend who risked driving on a bulged tire to the repair shop—it blew out after just one kilometer, costing thousands to fix the rim and nearly hitting a pedestrian on the roadside. So my advice is: Stop using the tire immediately upon spotting a bulge—don’t drive even a single kilometer. Switch to the spare and head straight to a professional shop for a replacement. Safety always comes first—don’t gamble to save a few bucks. Make it a habit to check tire pressure and inspect tire conditions weekly, and avoid potholes or sudden braking to effectively prevent tire issues.

[Tyrone]

Our family is on a tight budget, but we absolutely cannot skimp on the cost of replacing a bulging tire. Last time my car had a tire bulge, I did the math: a new tire would cost around four to five hundred yuan, but if I stubbornly kept driving and it blew out, the repair bill could easily exceed a thousand. Worse, if an accident occurred causing injuries, insurance might refuse to cover it, leading to even higher expenses. I once saw a neighbor drive on a bulging tire on the highway—it burst, causing the car to roll over, and repairs cost tens of thousands. That’s why I insist on stopping immediately upon discovering a bulge, not driving even a short distance, and heading straight to get the tire replaced. Regular maintenance is also crucial: checking tire pressure monthly to keep it within the normal range and inspecting for wear can extend tire life, saving both money and hassle.

[SpencerAnn]

I used to think that driving with a bulging tire was acceptable, but I learned a painful lesson. Once, after my tire bulged, I drove a short distance to buy something at a slow speed of less than 10 km/h, and the tire started making strange noises and deformed. Fortunately, I stopped in time and changed to the spare tire. The mechanic said I was lucky, otherwise a blowout on the highway could have caused an accident in minutes. Now I understand that the internal structure of a bulging tire is already damaged, and it can rupture at any time while driving, unable to last long. So now, as soon as I notice a bulge, I stop using the tire immediately—zero tolerance. I advise everyone not to test their luck in such situations; safety comes first.