You may have noticed this strange phenomenon on your tires: bubbles that form in the tire’s sidewall and slowly grow bigger before popping. What causes tire bubbles? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about tire bubbles and how to prevent them from occurring in your tires.
What are tire bubbles?
Tires do not need regular maintenance. They are pretty sturdy, but it is still possible for tires to get bumps and develop bubbles on them. Although they may seem harmless, these bubbles are air pockets within your tire that can result in decreased fuel efficiency and a high risk for an accident. What causes tires to have bubbles? Here’s what you need to know!
What are tires, anyway?
You might think you know what a tire is, but do you? It’s more than just that little rubber ring around your car—it’s a sophisticated piece of machinery with lots of moving parts. Read on to learn more about what causes tires to bubble and why.
What are the dangers of damaged tires?
A few dangers come with defective tires, including an increased risk of accidents, a decrease in fuel efficiency, and an overall increase in your vehicle’s stopping time. If you’re concerned about what causes tire bubbles or if you’re having trouble finding a replacement for your damaged tires, contact us today! We’ll have your vehicle road-ready and safe again in no time.
What causes tire bubbling?
There are several causes for tire bubbling, and most come from either side of its rim. This includes damages in its manufacturing process, improper air pressure, road hazards such as potholes and nails on the road, or even when it gets very hot out.
While no one is sure what causes tire bubbles, many people theorize that a combination of elements causes them. When it comes to tires, you can prevent bubbling in several ways. The most common cause of tire bubbles is bumps and potholes. These holes in your vehicle’s surface allow air to leak out of your tires with every rotation. While you can drive through these potholes, it’s best to avoid them.
This will reduce wear on your tires and keep them from being damaged. When you drive over a pothole, make sure to drive as slowly as possible. This will help reduce any damage or popping sounds when you hit it. Another cause of tire bubbles is overinflation. While some manufacturers recommend inflating their tires up to 40 psi (pounds per square inch), driving at higher pressures can increase heat buildup inside your tires, leading to premature wear or blowouts.
What can you do about it?
Always steer clear of potholes to avoid tire bubbles. Drive carefully, take care not to go over any speedbumps, and be cautious around sidewalks and curbs.
It would be best if you kept your eyes peeled for any changes in your tires’ structural integrity or air pressure and should regularly check their pressure with a pressure gauge.
How To Fix tire bubbles.
If you find tire bubbles forming on your tires, don’t panic. To ensure proper tire inflation, you can verify the tire pressure regularly. Low tire pressure can cause tire bubbles to form, ultimately leading to a flat tire.
Please check your tire pressure regularly with an air gauge and inflate it to the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) listed on its sidewall. For example, if you’re driving on a standard-sized car tire with a maximum of 35 PSI, fill it up until it reaches 35 PSI.
When you check your tire pressure, ensure you’re using a quality gauge; hand-held gauges are often inaccurate, and thus, they will lead to incorrect readings, resulting in over or under-inflated tires.
Can you repair tire bubbles?
Do you have a car with a bubble on the side of the tire? That is, get it replaced before it turns into a bigger problem. Get to the root of the problem quickly, drive slowly, and see the nearest tire repair shop or auto dealership. Sadly, fixing the tire bulge doesn’t mean the tire can be repaired. Those bulges on the side of the tire cannot be repaired, and you’ll need to replace the entire tire before you can fix it.
Unless you replace all of your tires, replacing just one tire is not always economical. Moreover, if you typically rotate your tires, it’s best to replace all of the tires in your set at the same time to maintain equal wear. Changing tires out one at a time is more expensive than swapping them in sets; it might sting a little, but it will pay off in the long run.
Conclusion
Bulges and protrusions on car tires are common, and in some vehicles, these can be observed daily. While most people may notice the slight swelling of their tire, they are often not aware of its danger to them, their vehicle, and others on the road.
To avoid tire bubbles, consider what may be causing them. And, if you don’t yet have any, take steps to make sure that you won’t have any.
