Maintaining your car tires helps your vehicle operate efficiently and safely while on the road. When conducting a routine check on your tires, you may notice a bulging area—known as a bubble—indicating damage, excessive wear, or even imminent failure. Here's what you should so that you can address this problem as soon as possible to avoid a blowout or an accident.

What Causes Tire Bubbles?

Car tires usually develop bubbles after undergoing some form of impact, such as bumping into a curb or hitting a pothole. Tires are made up of multiple layers of rubber—called plies—around a sturdy inner core. The force resulting from a sudden impact can pinch the tire against the rim of the wheel, forcing air in between the rubber and the core, producing a bulge.

In rare circumstances, bubbles can also arise due to manufacturing defects, such as insufficient adhesive between the rubber and the interior casing. Other causes include low tire pressure, excessive loads, and risky driving practices such as driving over speed bumps without slowing down.

What Should You Do if You Discover a Bubble?

A bubble indicates that your tire’s internal structure has been disrupted, permanently weakening it and making it unsafe to drive on. If you continue to travel with a bubble present, it’s only a matter of time before the tire fails. Consequently, this problem can’t be repaired and must instead be addressed with immediate replacement of the affected tire.

If you’ve noticed a bubble in one or more car tires, turn to the experts at M & C Tire. This Tire Industry Association-certified company offers reliable replacements, repairs, rotations, and alignments for drivers throughout the Kalispell, MT, area, including White Fish, Big Fork, Columbia Falls, Somers, and Lakeside. They'll quickly replace the damaged tire with a high-quality option to keep your car driving safely and efficiently. Call (406) 752-9662 to schedule a maintenance appointment, or visit their website to browse their inventory.