Why Do Tires Develop Bulges?
3 Answers
When the cords in the tire's sidewall ply break, the internal air escapes through the broken cords, barely supported by the thin rubber layer, which causes the tire to bulge. Tire bulges pose significant safety hazards. Once a bulge is detected, the spare tire should be immediately installed, and the vehicle should be driven to a repair shop for tire replacement. Reasons for tire cord breakage: Tire quality issues: If the bulge is due to tire quality problems, a claim can be filed with the tire manufacturer. Tire impact: Strong impacts, such as driving at high speeds over rough roads or speed bumps, can cause cord breakage. Drive carefully. Insufficient tire pressure: Low tire pressure compresses the tire's ply layer. Driving with insufficient pressure can fatigue the ply, leading to cord breakage. Maintain proper tire pressure. Tire maintenance: When parking, choose flat surfaces to avoid excessive wheel compression. Regularly clean hard objects from tire treads using a thick, L-shaped wire hook for daily maintenance. Tires gradually age during use. If noticeable cracks appear on the tire sidewall, it indicates significantly reduced tire strength, increasing the risk of bulges and blowouts. Replace cracked tires promptly.
Having driven for over 20 years, I've seen quite a few cases of tire bulges. The most common cause is hitting potholes or curbs on the road—when the tire impacts a hard object, the cord layers (like tendons) in the sidewall can break, causing air to expand at that spot and form a bulge. Low tire pressure is another major issue; I often come across owners who forget to inflate their tires, leaving them soft and causing excessive sidewall flexing, which fatigues and breaks the cords. Aging tires are also prone to problems; hardened and brittle rubber makes them more susceptible to bulges from minor impacts. I remember one summer a couple of years ago when I hit a big pothole on the highway, and the tire immediately bulged—luckily, I replaced it in time to avoid a blowout. Safety tip: Stay alert to road conditions while driving, avoid sharp turns or high-speed obstacles, and check tire pressure and surface condition monthly.
As someone who works on cars all day, dealing with bulging tires is a routine task. The root cause is damage to the internal cord layers—you can think of it as the tire's skeleton breaking. When hitting hard objects like potholes or rocks, the impact tears the cords; driving with low pressure causes the sidewalls to bend repeatedly and tear them apart. Sometimes, drivers go a long time without noticing they're driving on underinflated tires, leading to cord fatigue and breakage. During inspection, feel the sidewalls with your hand—if there's a bulge, be cautious. For prevention, I recommend checking the tire pressure every two weeks and maintaining the manufacturer's recommended value; drive slowly over speed bumps and avoid hitting potholes recklessly. If the tire is aging or has cracks, it's best to replace it early to prevent cord issues.
