What should I do if my car tire has a bulge?
3 Answers
Tire bulges should be replaced promptly. Below is a detailed explanation of the causes of tire bulges: 1. If a tire has a bulge, you must immediately go to a professional tire shop for inspection and replacement, and must not continue using it. Tire bulges not only affect driving but also pose a risk of blowouts, making them a major safety hazard. 2. Most tire bulges are caused by human error, with very few cases resulting from quality issues. The main causes include: tire aspect ratio being too small, tire pressure being too high or too low, hitting obstacles, tires being past their expiration date, frequently driving over curbs, and tire quality problems.
When I see a bulge on a car's tire, I immediately get nervous because this thing can blow out at any moment and cause serious trouble. That time when I was driving and noticed a bulge sticking out on the tire, I quickly pulled over to check. Usually, bulges occur because the internal cord layers of the tire are damaged, allowing air to leak out and form a bubble—likely caused by hitting potholes, curbs, or simply tire aging. I immediately took out my phone to check the tire pressure monitor. If the tire pressure is normal but the bulge is still large, absolutely do not continue driving—just change to the spare tire or call a tow truck to take it to the repair shop. Safety is no joke—a bulging tire must be replaced immediately. I remind myself to regularly inspect tire appearance and pressure, inflate them fully every two weeks, and avoid speeding over speed bumps to prevent similar risks. If ignored, a tire blowout at high speed could lead to an accident in an instant—it's no laughing matter. So handling it right away is the safest approach—never try to tough it out to save money.
I'm quite frugal in daily life, and my first reaction to a bulging tire is how to fix it with the least money. Last time I had a bulge, I measured it myself first. If it was a small and not very noticeable bulge, I drove slowly to a nearby quick repair shop, avoiding high speeds to reduce the risk of a blowout. At the shop, I compared prices and chose an affordable tire to replace it, avoiding the cheapest options to prevent quality issues. The cause is usually hitting something due to low tire pressure or a tire defect, so being careful can save on repair costs. I usually opt for durable tires during maintenance and avoid potholes to extend tire life. For severe bulges, I call a budget towing service to keep overall expenses under control. After all, no one's money grows on trees, and ensuring safety while saving money is a win-win.
