What Causes Bubbles on a Car Tire? + How To Avoid

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Written By Will S.

Tire bubbles happen on the interior of tires, so they are not easy to spot. These bubbles are essentially a visual representation of damage to the inner linings of a car’s tire and lead to air leakages and an eventual rupture. But what causes these bubbles in tires?

Tire bubbles result from driving your vehicle on bad roads and exposing the tires to poor driving conditions. The stress weakens the inner layers of the tire and causes them to develop bulges. This is dangerous, and the tires need to be replaced as soon as possible.

In this post, we’ll look at the causes of tire bubbles in more detail. You’ll be able to determine whether you’ve been making any mistakes while driving and figure out what you can do better to avoid bubbles in your tires in the future.

Is a bubble on a tire dangerous?

In short, it is dangerous to drive with a bubble on your tire. You will need to get it replaced as soon as possible.

Causes of Tire Bubbles

Tire bubbles can be a result of several factors, which include:

Overloading Your Vehicle

Tires bear the entire weight of your vehicle, and overloading can stress them further. The tires are rigid enough to take some pressure, but there’s a limit to what they can carry. 

If you go beyond this limit, the tires will yield to the pressure and start growing weak. Eventually, bubbles will appear. Bubbles aren’t an issue you fix; you’ll need to change the affected tire.

Driving When Your Tire Is Flat

When you are driving on the road, and your tire goes flat without warning, there are two options available. First, you can continue driving until you find a repair shop and fix it. 

Alternatively, you can pull up by the road and make a few calls to a repair shop or AAA. However, this can take time because the service personnel will have to travel to where you are with a spare tire. 

Because of this, most people prefer the first option – after all, it’s faster. However, driving on a flat tire is also bad for your tire. Doing this causes the rims to grind against the tire, which affects the inner linings, leading to bubbles.

Driving on Rough Roads

Driving on roads in terrible conditions is the common cause of most tire bubbles. 

From potholes to steep bumps and uneven pathways, they all heap pressure on your tires. Sometimes, you can’t escape these bad roads when no alternative routes exist. 

If you do this continually, the inner layers of your tires will develop bubbles over time. While they’ll look healthy, they’ll essentially just be waiting for space in the external layer to pop out.

Driving Across Railway Lines

While driving across railway lines can be dangerous in its own right, it can also cause severe damage to the interior of your tires. Rail lines are metals. They are hard on tubes and generally not safe for tires. 

If you drive across rail tracks frequently, it can take a while before you notice the damage, but air bubbles will be visible after some time. 

These are only some of the causes of tire bubbles. Others include: 

  • Driving over the median strip 
  • Driving across speed bumps without slowing down 
  • Driving within construction areas

Can you fix bubbles on a tire?

You cannot fix bubbles on a tire. The problem lies with the internal wall inside the tire have broken, so you will need to get a new replacement. it’s dangerous to drive with bubbles in the tire because they are prone to exploding at any moment.

FAQ

Is it safe to drive with a bubble in my tire?

Generally, yes. Just don’t leave the problem for too long, as a bubble in a tire can possibly lead to further issues down the line, including flat tyres or damaged rims.

How common are tire bubbles?

They are very common. They will happen to most drivers throughout their life and are caused by many driving factors.

How long does it take for a bubble to form within a tire?

They form over time, sometimes faster than others. It completely depends on your driving habits and routines. Do you drive over speed bumps every day? Maybe try changing your route to prevent/slow down the process of bubbles forming within your tire.

Does the tire manufacturer’s warranty cover bubbles in my tires?

Only if a manufacturer’s defect causes the bubble. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case, and bubbles in tires are caused by wear & tear or poor driving habits/routines.

How can I fix a bubble in my tire?

As soon as a bubble forms within your tire, that’s it. You must replace the tire for your safety when driving that car. Leaving the bubble to grow will only lead to further problems such as a burst/flat tire.

Conclusion

Tire bubbles are bulges that develop in the inner linings of your vehicle’s tire due to unhealthy driving habits like driving on debris and bad roads. When this happens, you won’t be able to fix the problem. Instead, the tire will need to be replaced immediately to avoid further damage and reduce the risk of damage. 

You can stop tire bubbles from developing in your tires by being more careful about where you drive your vehicle and checking your tires regularly at the service center.