Noticing a bulge in tire sidewall is a serious issue that demands immediate attention for your vehicle safety. This outward swelling, often resembling a tire bubble, indicates internal damage within the tire’s structure, significantly increasing the blowout risk. Continuing to drive on a tire with a bulge is extremely hazardous and can lead to a sudden tire failure and potential loss of control. This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on how to safely change a tire when you discover a bulge in tire, ensuring you can handle the situation correctly until you can get a permanent replacement.
Understanding the Serious Risks of a Tire Bulge
A bulge might look small, but it represents a critical weakness in the tire. Understanding why it forms and the dangers it poses is the first step towards ensuring your safety on the road. Never underestimate the potential consequences of ignoring this problem.
What Causes a Bulge in Tire to Form?
A bulge in tire, technically a sidewall bulge or sometimes called a tire bubble, is almost always the result of impact damage. When your tire hits a pothole, curb, speed bump, or other road hazard with significant force, the impact can sever the internal cords (often nylon fibers) within the tire’s casing or ply layers.
This internal damage allows air pressure to push the flexible rubber sidewall outwards, creating the visible bulge. While less common, a tire defect from manufacturing could potentially lead to similar structural damage and result in a bulge, though impact is the predominant cause. The key takeaway is that a bulge signifies compromised casing integrity and significant structural damage.
Why is Ignoring a Tire Bulge Extremely Dangerous?
Driving on a tire with a bulge is like playing Russian roulette with your safety. The bulge indicates that the tire’s internal structure is weakened and cannot reliably contain the air pressure. The primary danger is a sudden tire failure or blowout, which can happen without warning, especially at higher speeds or when hitting another bump.
A blowout can cause immediate loss of control, potentially leading to a serious accident. There is no safe way to perform a tire repair on a bulge; the internal cords are broken, and the tire’s structural integrity is permanently compromised. Whether it’s a front tire bulge or a rear tire bulge, the risk remains severe, impacting handling and driving performance. Even a small bulge risk should be taken seriously, necessitating immediate tire replacement.
How Can You Spot a Bulge in Your Tire?
Early detection is key to preventing a dangerous situation. Regularly perform a visual check of all your tires, ideally whenever you check your tire pressure or during routine tire maintenance. Look specifically at the sidewalls – the smooth vertical surfaces between the tread and the wheel rim – for any unnatural outward swelling or bumps.
Run your hand carefully over the sidewall (when the tire is cool) to feel for irregularities you might not easily see, especially in poor lighting. It’s important to differentiate a sidewall bulge from minor cosmetic imperfections or the normal undulations where tire components overlap during manufacturing. A true bulge in tire will feel like a distinct bubble or protrusion caused by air pressure escaping the damaged internal structure.
Essential Preparations Before Changing the Tire
Discovering a bulge in tire means you need to stop driving on it as soon as safely possible and prepare to change it. Taking a few minutes to prepare correctly makes the process safer and smoother. Rushing the process can lead to accidents or further vehicle damage.
Gathering Your Tire Changing Toolkit
Before you can change the tire, ensure you have the necessary tools readily accessible. Most vehicles come equipped with a basic kit, usually stored in the trunk or under the cargo floor. Check that you have everything and that it’s in working order:
- A functional spare tire (check its inflation pressure regularly!)
- A vehicle jack compatible with your car (scissor jack or bottle jack typically)
- A lug wrench that fits your vehicle’s lug nuts
- Your vehicle’s owner’s manual (contains crucial info on jack points)
- Wheel chocks (or sturdy blocks of wood) to prevent the vehicle from rolling
- Work gloves (optional, but recommended)
- Reflective triangles or flares (optional, for visibility if near traffic)
Locate these items before you need them in an emergency. Familiarize yourself with where they are stored and how the jack operates. Critically, ensure your spare tire is properly inflated; a flat spare won’t help you.
Selecting a Secure Spot for the Tire Change?
Your safety is paramount. Never attempt to change a tire on a soft shoulder, uneven ground, or close to moving traffic if avoidable. Find the safest possible location: a level, stable, and firm surface well away from the flow of traffic is ideal. A parking lot, a quiet side street, or your own driveway/garage are good options.
If you must change the tire on the roadside, pull over as far as possible onto the shoulder. Engage your hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers. Always engage the parking brake firmly before you start working. If you feel the location is unsafe or you’re uncomfortable performing the change, calling for roadside assistance is the wisest choice.
Key Safety Steps Before You Begin
Once you’ve found a safe location and gathered your tools, take a few final precautions. Double-check that the parking brake is fully engaged. Place wheel chocks firmly behind the wheel diagonally opposite the one you are changing (e.g., if changing the front right tire, chock the rear left wheel). If you don’t have chocks, large rocks or sturdy pieces of wood can serve as temporary substitutes, but proper chocks are best.
Ensure the vehicle is in ‘Park’ (automatic transmission) or in gear (manual transmission). If you have reflective triangles or flares, place them behind your vehicle according to local regulations or safety guidelines to warn oncoming traffic, especially at night or in low visibility conditions. These steps help prevent the vehicle from unexpectedly rolling while it’s jacked up.
Safely Executing the Tire Change A Step-by-Step Process
With the preparation complete, you can now proceed with the actual tire change. Work methodically and carefully, focusing on each step to ensure the process is done correctly and safely. Remember, you are dealing with a damaged tire (the one with the bulge in tire) that could potentially fail further, although the main risk was while driving.
Initial Lug Nut Loosening Technique
Before lifting the vehicle with the jack, you need to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with the bulge in tire. The weight of the vehicle on the ground prevents the wheel from spinning while you do this. Using the lug wrench, turn each lug nut counter-clockwise about one-half to one full turn. Do not remove them completely yet.
Lug nuts can be very tight. You might need to use considerable force, potentially using your body weight on the wrench handle. Always apply force in a controlled manner. If your vehicle has wheel covers or hubcaps, you may need to remove them first (consult your owner’s manual). Loosen the nuts in a star or crisscross pattern to ensure even pressure release and prevent warping the wheel or studs.
How to Position the Jack and Lift Correctly?
Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual immediately. It will show the specific, reinforced points on the vehicle’s frame designed for jack placement. Using the wrong spot can damage your vehicle or cause the jack to slip, which is extremely dangerous.
Position the jack squarely under the designated jack point nearest the tire you are changing. Ensure the jack head is making solid contact. Slowly begin operating the jack handle (turning the screw on a scissor jack or pumping the lever on a hydraulic bottle jack) to raise the vehicle. Raise it just high enough so that the tire with the bulge in tire is completely off the ground with enough clearance to remove it easily.
Never place any part of your body under the vehicle while it is supported only by the jack. A jack is a lifting device, not a support stand. Keep the lifting process smooth and steady, ensuring the jack remains stable and perpendicular to the ground.
Removing the Tire with the Bulge and Installing the Spare
Now that the vehicle is safely lifted, you can finish removing the lug nuts you loosened earlier. Unscrew them completely by hand and keep them together in a safe place (like a hubcap or pocket) so you don’t lose them. Grip the damaged tire firmly with both hands and pull it straight towards you, off the wheel studs.
Tires can be heavy and awkward, so use proper lifting technique (bend your knees). Handle the tire with the bulge in tire carefully; lay it flat on the ground under the vehicle’s frame near the jack (but not directly under the jack point) as an extra precaution in case the jack fails. Align the spare tire with the wheel studs and push it firmly onto the hub until it sits flush against the mounting surface. Replace the lug nuts and tighten them by hand in the star pattern until they are snug.
Lowering the Car and Securing the Spare Tire
With the spare tire mounted and the lug nuts hand-tightened, carefully and slowly lower the vehicle using the jack. Turn the jack handle in the reverse direction until the spare tire rests firmly on the ground and the jack is fully lowered. Remove the jack from under the vehicle.
Now, use the lug wrench to fully tighten the lug nuts. Again, follow the star or crisscross pattern to ensure the wheel is tightened evenly against the hub. Tighten the nuts firmly – you should use significant force, but avoid straining to the point of potentially stripping the threads or breaking a stud. A common recommendation is to tighten them as much as you reasonably can with the factory lug wrench.
Storing the Damaged Tire and Equipment Properly
Place the removed tire (the one with the bulge in tire) into the trunk or the designated spare tire storage area. Make sure it’s secured so it doesn’t roll around while driving. Gather all your tools – the jack, lug wrench, wheel chocks, and anything else you used – and stow them securely back in their designated spots.
Don’t forget to retrieve your wheel chocks and any warning devices you deployed. Do a final walk-around to ensure you haven’t left anything behind. It’s also a good idea to wash your hands if possible, as changing a tire can be a dirty job.
After the Change What Are Your Next Steps?
Successfully changing the tire with the bulge in tire gets you back on the road temporarily, but your work isn’t finished. The spare tire is usually a temporary solution, and the underlying issue that caused the bulge needs addressing. Taking the right steps now prevents future problems.
Immediate Actions After Installing the Spare Tire
Most spare tires, especially temporary or “donut” spares, are not designed for long-term use. Check the sidewall of the spare tire itself; it will usually list speed and distance limitations (e.g., maximum 50 mph, maximum 50-70 miles). Adhere strictly to these limits for safe driving habits.
Check the air pressure in the spare tire as soon as possible at a gas station. Spare tires often lose pressure over time while stored. Inflate it to the pressure specified on the tire’s sidewall or in your owner’s manual (which might differ from your regular tires). Driving on an underinflated spare is dangerous and can damage the spare itself. Your primary goal now should be to get your original tire professionally assessed and replaced.
Importance of a Professional Post-Change Inspection
Even though you’ve removed the immediate danger by changing the tire with the bulge in tire, it’s crucial to visit a qualified mechanic or tire shop promptly. They need to inspect the damaged tire to confirm the cause of the bulge. While typically impact damage, confirming it wasn’t a rare tire defect is worthwhile, especially if the tire is relatively new.
More importantly, the impact that caused the bulge (like hitting a pothole) could have caused other hidden problems. Ask the mechanic to check for potential suspension damage, wheel bearing wear, or wheel alignment issues. Addressing these related problems promptly prevents further damage, ensures continued vehicle safety, and avoids negative impacts on driving performance and handling issues.
Considering Tire Replacement and Warranty Options
A tire with a bulge cannot be repaired safely; tire replacement is the only option. When replacing the tire, consider the condition and tire wear of the other tire on the same axle. For optimal handling, braking, and stability, it’s often recommended to replace tires in pairs on the same axle, especially if the remaining tire has significant wear.
Inquire about potential coverage. Check your tire warranty documentation; sometimes impact damage might be covered under a separate road hazard insurance policy if you purchased one. If the bulge is suspected to be a manufacturing defect (less common), you might have a manufacturing defect claim. Understand the claim process and required documentation (like the damaged tire itself and proof of purchase). Discuss replacement options, including potential repair costs for related damage versus the replacement expense for the tire(s), with your tire shop or mechanic. Good mechanic communication is key to making informed decisions.
Remember that factors like low-profile tire risks (more susceptible to impact damage) or specific considerations for run-flat tire sidewall damage might influence replacement choices and costs. Maintaining correct tire pressure and practicing safe driving habits can help prevent future impact damage and the resulting bulge in tire issues.