Whatsup guys,

Quick question. How exactly do bubbles form in tires? Is it because of low air pressure or extreme temperatures? Or maybe it has something to do with driving styles...?

Thanks in advance.

 

I had a bubble on my tire about a month ago. It ended up being a cracked rim, which ended up costing me $730 for a new rim and a new tire. Which of course was not covered under warranty because that is considered "wear and tear".

 

Bubbles can form due to overheating the tires, such as by driving hard on low air pressure (which generates more heat than the tires can dissipate, causing "blistering").

Bubbles can also form due to a defect in the tire, or from an impact which separates materials within the tire.

The tire should be replaced no matter how the bubble occurs. Then try to avoid doing whatever caused the bubble to begin with, if it isn't a defect and you're the one that had the car when the bubble developed.

 

If you mean a sidewall bubble (never seen one in the tread area), technically, it's an air leak. Somehow (defective tire or pothole are common causes) the inside lining of the tire has been compromised and air leaks in between the layers (or plys) of the tire. Think of a blood blister on your finger if you pinch it for instance. You've broken a blood vessel and blood leaks in between the layers of skin. Fortunately your finger will quickly repair itself; not so the tire. It's junk. Usually caused by trauma; pothole, hitting a curb, run over a big rock. Anything that has the potential to damage the sidewall can result in a bubble (and can take time to form). Often, but not always, it can damage the rim too (can depend on how low the profile of the tire is, and how hard the hit).

 

yea... both my cars have experienced a bubble in the front right from a pothole... one was due to a bent wheel

f'ing NY man....

 

Thanks for the information guys! However, if you have higher profile tires, are bubbles less likely to form?

Blackura, I hear you. NY has some crazy a$$ potholes and I hate it.

 

damn k... I remeber seeing them bubbles, definitely cuz of the potholes...

if you run a 245 series wheel it would prevent some damage but nyc roads will still kill ur wheels

 

I know, I hate riding around here. Every road is messed up! I've been keeping my tires at about 35 psi all around, hoping that will add a little extra comfort and strength to the tires.

 

thought i was the only 1 having this problem with my tl in ny.... its the streets man ive done replaced 4 tires because bubbles on the sidewalls.... no matter how u drive in ny ur gonna get them cause when u go around 1 pothole, u hit the next...... its something us nyer's have to deal with unfortanetly.