When you drive with a quality set of tires, you'll find it much simpler and smoother to control your vehicle. Unfortunately, as tires age, they can begin to present hazards to your vehicle, including reduced performance, increasingly difficult steering, and even the risk of tire blowouts.
If you notice that your tire has a bulge, it's important to address the issue as soon as possible by replacing the tire. Tire bulges indicate that the interior of your tire has lost its structural integrity and failed, and as a result, it can blow out and cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
What Is The Cause Of Tire Bulges?
Several issues can result in a tire bulge, including damage from road hazards and improper tire maintenance. Some of the most common reasons a tire bulge forms include the following:
- Your tire was overinflated or underinflated. If the tire isn't properly inflated, it won't be able to provide your vehicle with the proper level of support. You should check to make sure that your tires are properly inflated by measuring the air pressure of the tires and comparing it against the proper inflation levels given in your owner's manual.
- A road hazard damaged your tire. Unfortunately, tire bulges can be caused by mistakes as small as hitting a pothole or curb. The sudden impact can cause the internal structure of the tire to tear and break, with air collecting under the outer layer of the tire and resulting in a bulge. You may notice additional damage to your tires if the bulge was caused by a road hazard.
Is It Safe To Drive With A Tire Bulge?
If you notice that one of your tires has a bulge, you shouldn't drive until you have had the tire replaced. Tires with bulges aren't structurally intact, and they are at risk of blowing out and causing you to lose control of your vehicle at any moment. Unfortunately, tire blowouts aren't hard to cause, either — your car could suffer a blowout from hitting hazards as small as rocks and potholes.
Replace Your Tires Today
While it might seem like a frustrating process to replace a blown-out tire, we're dedicated to making it as simple as possible. We know how important it is to drive safely, and we want to ensure that it's easy for drivers to do so. If you need tire repair or replacement, give Snider Auto Care a call today!