What Causes Tire Bulges?
2 Answers
Tire bulges are primarily caused by excessive air pressure during use, which reduces the tire's contact area with the ground and leads to premature wear. During operation, rolling acceleration or poor heat dissipation can cause the tread temperature to rise. Tire bulges are categorized into two types: ply break bulges and separation bulges. Separation bulges mainly include crown separation, shoulder separation, and bead separation. Crown separation primarily manifests as delamination at the top of the tread (known as the crown surface). Shoulder separation is a type of sidewall bulge, which can be localized or extensive, commonly occurring between the tread and the sidewall. Bead separation mainly refers to radial tires for heavy loads, typically showing as detachment around the steel rim.
I've seen plenty of tire bulges, mostly caused by hitting potholes or curbs while driving without paying attention. The sidewall of a tire is actually quite vulnerable – one hard impact can break the internal cord layers, resulting in a bulge. Improper tire pressure is another common cause. Overinflation makes tires too rigid and more prone to damage upon impact, while underinflation causes excessive deformation and uneven stress distribution on the edges, leading to bulges. Additionally, aged tires from prolonged use or those with poor maintenance and severe wear are more susceptible to bulging. Never take a bulge lightly – my friend once continued driving with one and suffered a high-speed blowout, which was extremely dangerous. I recommend immediately replacing the tire at a repair shop. Develop good habits like visually inspecting tires before each drive and maintaining proper tire pressure to extend their lifespan. Driving slower on rough roads can also prevent many issues.
