A bubble or bulge in your tyre might look small, but it signals serious structural damage inside the rubber — and it could lead to a sudden blowout if ignored. Tyre bubbles are typically caused by internal failure from potholes, overinflation, or general wear and tear. This guide explains what causes tyre bubbles, the dangers of driving with one, and what to do if you notice a bulge in your tyre.
It goes without saying that, because your tyres are the one part of the car that makes constant contact with the road, they need to be well maintained and regularly inspected.
While most drivers and vehicle owners tend to focus their inspection and visual assessment on the tyre tread, it’s important that you spend some time looking at the sidewall of the tyre too. And here’s why.
If bubbles appear in the tyre sidewall, you need to know that these can be just as dangerous and can cause just as much damage as cuts and splits in the rubber.
What is a Bubble in the Tyre?
A bubble in your tyre is the same as a bulge. It will literally look like someone has inflated a bubble underneath the surface of the rubber, causing a rounded bulge in the exterior of the tyre.
It is caused by damage to the inner lining of the tyre’s radial, allowing air to leak into the body of the tyre where it shouldn’t.
What Causes a Bubble in the Tyre?
We’ve already covered the basics of what a tyre bubble actually is from a physical perspective.
But what can lead to this kind of damage?
Some of the leading causes of tyre bubbles and bulges include:
- Hitting speedbumps and potholes, which cause damage to the lining of the tyre
- Over or under-inflating tyres, leaving them more susceptible to excess heat being generated and thereby impacting the stability of the rubber
- Wear and tear of the rubber
All of these issues can cause internal damage which, while it may not look particularly damaging, can lead to a multitude of risks and dangers when out on the road.
What Happens if There’s a Bubble in a Tyre?
If a tyre has a bubble in its sidewall, the structure inside the tyre has failed and is no longer supporting the tyre properly.
The chances are that, when driven, this tyre will blow at some point. The unpredictability of this and when it will occur adds to the high risk.
The risks associated with a blowout include sudden loss of control and the high risk of causing an accident.
It’s important to note here that even if your tyre does not blow or cause an accident on the road, you can still be liable for fines and even points on your licence, if you are caught driving on tyres that show signs of damage like a bubble.
