How Dangerous Are Tire Bubbles?

Tire blowouts: you hate them, I hate them, everyone hates them. At the risk of understating things, they’re bad. And they’re scary. They cause thousands of accidents each year, some of which can even be deadly, and many of them are preventable. You can take easy steps to avoid them, like inspecting your tires, but you have to know what you’re looking for. Low tread life isn’t the only thing that can cause a safety issue. Today we’re going to talk about one specific issue that frequently leads to blowouts: tire bubbles.

What Causes Tire Bubbles?

Just like bubbles in water and soap, tire bubbles are caused by air. Specifically air that’s not where it’s supposed to be. This air has escaped the inner layers of the tire and moved to the outer layers of rubber, and just like soap bubbles, they can pop. So if you see a bubble has formed on your tire’s sidewall, the tire should be replaced immediately.

This applies regardless of whether it looks like this:

Or like this:

Dealing With Tire Bulges and Bubbles

Bottom line: replace the tire. You can’t fix a tire bubble because a tire bubble means the tire’s structural integrity has been compromised. It’s just no longer safe to drive on, and technically you shouldn’t even drive it to the garage. Under no circumstances should you be driving at highway speeds, either, so before you go anywhere, put the spare on. It’s the safest option once you see a bubble because there’s no telling when the tire will blow.

What Else Should You Look for When Inspecting Tires?

Look for a wave pattern in your tread, as this could indicate tread separation. When the tread component starts to separate from the inner parts of the tire it can move around, so you’ll get a wave or curve in your tread pattern. This can lead to bubbles if air gets between the layers, so it helps if you catch it early.

You should also check for dry rot. This usually happens when the tire gets too dry or is in the sun too long, and it can degrade the tire’s integrity, leading to bubbles or blowouts.

Really, How Bad Is It To Drive On?

Very bad! But you don’t have to take my word for it, there’s YouTube! If you want to see how easy it is for a tire to blow out once it’s compromised, just check out this video (and he’s not even driving):

You can also check out this video, where they purposefully inflate a bubble until it blows:

Did you see how that tire shook when it blew? Think about that on your vehicle. Definitely not something you want to take a chance on!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Prevent Tire Bubbles From Forming?

Try to avoid brushing against or running into the curbs. That’s the most common cause.

How Far Can I Drive on a Tire That Has a Bubble in the Sidewall?

Unfortunately, many things can result in a tire puncture. From sharp objects to potholes, tires face danger during their perfTo be frank, you shouldn’t drive on it at all. There’s no set time and no way you can tell when that bubble will decide to blow, so don’t drive on it at all.ormance. If the punctures are deep enough, the tires will lose air pressure. For this reason, it is important to do all we can to prevent tire damage.

Are Tire Bubbles and Other Deformities Covered by the Tire Manufacturer’s Warranty?

It depends. If the bubble was caused by you running into a curb or some other hazard, or if the tire’s just really old, that probably won’t be covered. However, if it’s a manufacturer’s defect that causes the bubble, that should usually be covered by your warranty.

Take a look at our selection of new tires here at Priority Tire.