How to Repair a Slightly Bulging Tire?
3 Answers
If the bulge is relatively small, some repair shops may use a hot patch method for repair. Hot patching, also known as vulcanization, fundamentally addresses the issue of broken cord threads. Hot patching requires a higher level of technical skill from the technician, and it is generally recommended to directly replace the tire with a new one rather than attempting a repair.
A slightly bulging tire can't be repaired at all—it must be replaced, and this is something you absolutely can't take lightly. Just last week, my buddy's car had the same issue. He thought he could still drive on it, but after just 200 kilometers on the highway, the tire blew out. Actually, a bulge means the tire's inner ply cords have broken, making the sidewall dangerously thin, like a balloon swelling up. If you press it, it feels soft—this kind of structural damage is impossible to fix, and even plugging it with a tire rope won’t help. Every repair shop will advise you to replace the tire immediately because it could burst at any moment while driving. If you notice a bulge, don’t exceed 80 km/h, and head straight to a reputable shop to get a new tire of the same specifications. Oh, and when replacing the tire, remember to check if the rim is deformed—that could also cause bulging.
I've been studying cars for nearly a decade and have seen too many cases of tire bulges. Essentially, it's caused by broken cords in the tire sidewall, and the internal structural damage is irreversible. Last year, we conducted tests at the proving ground - bulged tires had over a 70% chance of blowout during emergency braking at 80km/h. The most dangerous part is that early-stage bulges may show no symptoms but can suddenly split at any moment. Those online claims about using hot patch compounds or vulcanization repairs are complete nonsense - you'll still be in danger after spending hundreds on those fixes. Nowadays, proper tire shops have detection equipment that can reveal internal breakage lines with professional flaw detectors. My advice is to replace bulged tires immediately - don't gamble with your life to save a few hundred bucks. After replacement, it's best to get a wheel alignment to prevent uneven wear that could cause new bulges.
