- Also known as tyre swelling or tyre bubble
- The main cause for a bulge is breakage in sidewall construction
- The tyre isn't safe to use if a bulge exists
- The defected tyre needs to be replaced ASAP
Imagine wafting on a smooth-like-silk road in your exotic car with rays of sunlight sneaking in through the sunroof, but suddenly, like a nightmare, a big rock appears out of nowhere and you drive over it! You get out from your car and see a half egg-shaped swelling on your tyre's sidewall. Day spoiled, right?
Now, stuck in the middle of nowhere, you wonder what it is you should do. The egg shaped bulge you see is called a "Tyre Bulge." Lets understand what is this tyre bulge that ruined your day.
What is a Tyre bulge?
A bulge on a tyre is a swelling on your tyre's sidewall or can be defined as a protruding air bubble on the sidewall of the tire. Reasons behind a tyre bulge could be many but it is mostly caused due to heavy impact from a pothole or curb.
When the impact is too strong for the tyre's sidewall and if it fails to bear the impact from the pothole, the structural integrity of the sidewall breaks. The breakage forces the air to sneak in between the sections of the sidewall and push against the outer layer of rubber leading to the egg shaped swelling that you see.
Other reasons for a bulge could also be overloaded or under-inflated tyres. These also increase the chances of a bulge. You may feel a wobble or shake while driving your car if the car's tyre has bulged.
You should not overload a tyre as the excessive load will cause a lot of strain on the sidewall construction which can develop cracks under the adverse pressure. Under-inflated tyres also distort the contact patch of the tyre putting the construction under more pressure due to the widened and distorted patch.
Its rare but still possible that the bulge is a result of manufacturing defects. If you're sure that you maintain pressure and have not had any significant impact on your tyres then ask a certified tyre technician to look at your tyre. The technician should be able to figure out if its a manufacturing defect. If proven true, you can claim the product to be defective and ask for a replacement if the tyre is covered under warranty.
Should you keep driving with a bulge?
Well, the answer is a big NO if you know that there is a bulge in your car's tyre. A bulge on your tyre might seem like a small issue but running your car on high speeds with a bulge is guaranteed to damage your suspension and tyres.
One can also think of a tyre bulge like a balloon that can easily burst if given continuous pressure. The air may have crossed the core construction of the tyre and might be lodged in a corner that can give way anytime.
A small speed breaker, a sharp turn, or hard braking may cause enough pressure for the bulge to burst which can cause you to lose control over your car. To avoid endangering yourself, it is highly recommended that you don't drive your car with bulged tyres. Change the bulged tyres as fast as you can.
Can you fix a bulge?
As much as you'd like to, you can't fix a tyre bulge yourself. The best way to get rid of a tyre bulge is to get rid of the tyre itself. If you're hoping that your tyre will be repaired by your local tyre shop or mechanic, you're barking up the wrong tree. There is currently no way that a tyre bulge can be fixed so don't be fooled by people who promise to repair your tyre to make it "as good as new."
How to drive with a bulge if you have no other choice?
If you have no option but to drive further to reach the nearest service station, you should keep some points in mind while driving with the bulge
1. Don't go fast over speed breakers and potholes or any uneven surfaces.
2. Drive slow and within the speed limit.
3. Don't brake hard
4. Use your car's or phone's GPS to locate the nearest service station to get the tyre changed.
