Tire Buldge - Ok to drive?

[SuperGLS]

So, tonight I was driving and KAPLANK I hit a big *** pot hole. First time I've hit a pot hole in my Elantra that made the CD player skip. Well, when I got to where I was going I look at the tire and see:

http://www.elantraxd.com/images/tire0002.JPG

http://www.elantraxd.com/images/tire0003.JPG

http://www.elantraxd.com/images/tire0004.JPG

I listened to it and it isn't leaking any air. So, I drove 25 minutes home with no music to listen to it, and everything sounded regular.

So, is this safe to drive on? My friend/roommate says he's seen plenty of tires like that and it's probably ok. The tires have less than 10,000 miles on them, so, I don't really want to buy a new one quite yet if I don't have too.

Thoughts?

[evan938]

id replace it just to be safe. thats gonna be a weak spot now. another pothole you could have a blowout then mess up your rim. caus you wanted to save a few bucks. plus, if you bought it w/ a road hazard warranty (which most places have), thats a free tire if they cant fix it

[hyunelan2]

That tire's done. If I were doing my walkaround inpection on a CDL class vehicle, I wouldn't pass it for that. You don't want to be zipping along at 60 mph, and then have that tire give up. Or even worse, give up when braking.

There's nothing you can do. Sorry, time for a replacement.

[Keyan]

if you bought it w/ a road hazard warranty (which most places have), thats a free tire if they cant fix it

No, they measure the thread left in the tire, and you get a % discount. (30% tread left! 30% dicount! 90% tread left? 90% discount!)


I've never seen a tire buldge like that but I'd replace it.

[BLK02XD]

looks like the cords in the tire let go
i would wash the whole car and get the tire and rim real clean and tell them you noticed it while you were washing your car and dont have any idea how that happened, and maybe get a free tire?
its worth a try

[evan938]

no, the tread life left and % discount is for when like, say you have a tire rated for 50k miles. you get down to the point where the marks are in the tire that it is unsafe to drive on (check down the center lne on your tire. theyre all around it, just a small bump in the line) and say you have 25k miles, and theyre down to that mark, THEN they pro-rate them. 25k left, 50% discount say youve got 40k miles on the 50k mile tire, youve used 80%, so theyll give you a 20% discount on another tire. if you get a nail in the tire or a buldge and it cant be repaired, they replace it for free

[SuperGLS]

Well, these are my first OEM tires. I bought GT wheels and tires about 3,000 miles into owning the car. So, recently (Dec or Jan), I got my GLS tires put onto my GT wheels.

I doubt the dealer would help out.

I don't think they have more than 10,000 miles on them, so, it should be fine to simply buy one new tire right? I don't need to ge tthe front two or all four, right?

[oregun]

Yeah, just replace the one tire and keep up on your rotations. It will "wear" in.

I don't know if I'd buy the Michellen Energy OEM tire though. I think is sux for the money.

[02xdGLS]

this is your perfect excuse to get a whole new set of aftermarket rims!! :D
hehe jk.

if i were you, i'd definitely change it just to be on the safe side. like hyunelan2 said, won't be fun when it give up on you.

[Hyundia_90250]

Well from past experience......replace it......evry person I talked to when I was buying my rims and tires tell me the the side wall is the most important.....

[Elkane7533]

Yeah, just replace the one tire and keep up on your rotations. It will "wear" in.

I don't know if I'd buy the Michellen Energy OEM tire though. I think is sux for the money.

I would get the OEM, although i agree with oregun, just because the three others are OEM Michelin.

[cclngthr]

That tire is toast.

Replace it.

[tharptroy]

definetely replace it...I know this goes a bit against the grain, but I wouldnt waste my money on a new michelin tire.

search tire rack and get any tire thats the right size and a hell of alot cheaper... or, if you must, replace the pair of tires (both rears or fronts).

shouldnt make much of a difference to have mis matching tires, especially since a new michelin wont really match the old ones in terms of grip anyway.

[Gearcat]

definetely replace it...I know this goes a bit against the grain, but I wouldnt waste my money on a new michelin tire.

search tire rack and get any tire thats the right size and a hell of alot cheaper... or, if you must, replace the pair of tires (both rears or fronts).

shouldnt make much of a difference to have mis matching tires, especially since a new michelin wont really match the old ones in terms of grip anyway.

It makes a VERY big difference when driving on mismatched tires and most times, a tire store will not mount mismatched tires because traction can be an issue and they will not accept liability for it.

Your tire is garbage now. That sidewall is compromised and could very well cause a blow out most likely while being put to task such as braking or cornering. It would be horrible to lose control and wreck your car, injuring yourself or anyone else because of it. Since the tires are relatively new without much treadwear, just go to a dealer that sells Michelins and put another one on. These Michelins have a very high treadwear rating and are designed to last. They don't have the best traction, but in the long run, they are a very economical tire.

Good luck!

[SuperGLS]

Thanks for all the info guys.

I hope the 10 mile roundtrip to work and back will be ok, if I don't come back online you can tell everyone I'm dead.

[hyunelan2]

^^^ if it's only 10 miles, throw on the donut (spare tire).

[2001GLS]

Chances are it'll hold long enough for you to get to the tire shop & get it replaced. Just avoid the interstate or any high speed driving & get over there ASAP. Anytime there is a buldge in the sidewall the tires structural integrity has been compromised & it needs to be replaced. You should be able to just buy 1 tire & rotate it in but if you feel more comfortable buy 2 & put them up front & rotate the others to the back. You can then save one for a spare. (Not sure if a steel wheel & spare will fit in the trunk where the donut goes though)

[zhg411xd]

No change the tire. I have been in the tire busness for 3 years, hitting that pot hole has broken the belts on the inside of your tire. I don't want to see you get a blowout! Change it man. :thumbsup:

[SWortham]

Agreed. That doesn't look good. It's gonna be too risky to drive on the highway. And you may even be better off with the donut around town until you get it replaced.

[Gun5]

Thanks for all the info guys.

I hope the 10 mile roundtrip to work and back will be ok, if I don't come back online you can tell everyone I'm dead.

:( donut!

[superyo]

Thanks for all the info guys.

I hope the 10 mile roundtrip to work and back will be ok, if I don't come back online you can tell everyone I'm dead.

Hey you should replace the tire buy you dont need that worry about it, my front/right tire has a similar thing on it and i have drive my car at very high speeds on highways in here with no problems (we dont have a speed limit, well we do have it but no one respect that) i mean 190/200 kph(i f"·ed my torque with a cheapo muffler so i lose top speed), cornering and hard braking with no problems, i have the stock kumho tires on my car, and... michellin should be better than kumho... dun know... anyway... im saving to get 18" wheels... and hope that soon ill replace it... btw... my car came with a regular tire as a spare tire, not a donut, so... im pretty sure that there is enough space on there...

[hyunelan2]

^^^ That's not safe, and all instances of tire damage are not the same. Just because it looks like a similar problem on the outside - does not mean it's equally damaged on the inside. And any tire damage is a cause for concern.

[04GTboySC]

and northern virginia roads suck. So many icky pot holes and such all over the area

[2fstfru]

Don't drive on that tire! The belts inside most likely have broken and there is a good chance that at speed that thing is going to come apart. I have seen this a few times. twice to friends of mine and once to me. I hit a rock about the size of a raquet ball while racing with some friends on this dirt course around a lake, and I had a bubble the same size as yours in the same place. My tire came apart and to get home (The car was my 2002 Honda accord daily driver) I had to throw on a spare. Don't forget that if a tire blows you will be putting other drivers at risk as well

[jeffv1970]

Replace the tire, not safe to be on. If you have to use it put it on the back.
You can try and get the tire warrantied but being a oem tire can make it hard.
They will most likely dismount the tire and look to see if the inside of the sidewall is cut, if it is no warranty. No cut or slice you have a chance. Or depending on your comprehensive insurance deductable you could file for it on your insurance. Do not leave that tire on the front if that is were it is at, for it could make for :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[mrhoaf]

The last time I checked the price on those tires, it would be cheaper to buy 2 new tires that will last longer and handle better than the stock michelins. I can't believe that those tires cost over $100 at Sams club!!!! They ride/handle like crap, and I got all of 30,000 miles out of the set (just normal highway/local driving, or hotrodding). I paid around $60 each(mounted/balanced/roadhazzard) for Yokahoma Avid Touring tires that lasted longer (35-40k miles) and had better ride/handling. I say buy a pair for the front....

[sed]

My advice is purchase one tire, the same exact tire that is on the car right now.

Whatever it costs. You have 10,000 miles on the other three, that is about 1/5 wear on the tires. Take the best tire and rotate that to the front right, put the new tire on the front left and rotate/keep the two worse tires (comparatively) on the back.

With different treadwear and pattern you will wear out the new tire you just bought in 20 - 25k miles as well as unevenly wearing on the practically new tires on their now.

Remember, treadwear is one of the most important factors of a tire,tires with the same exact speed rating, temp rating and cornering rating will differ quite a lot from treadwear to treadwear.

Tires are not a place where you want to go cheapest possible, remember that is the only thing holding that 3000lb piece of metal travelling @ speeds over 90 to the road.

just my .02

shawn :)

[zhg411xd]

for hells sake buy a tire tight wad! even those ****ty michelins are cheap!

[SuperGLS]

I took it to the Merchant's Tire right next to work. $130 for the same Michelin Energy tire, $22 to put it on and for a lifetime warranty or some crap, and $90 for an alignment, I noticed it was pulling a little, but I figured I might as well fix it while I was there. With tax it was a good $250 adventure.

I have the money, that's not the problem. The problem is that now I have $250 less to mod the car... uhh, oh wells.

Oh, but by the way, I did drive on the highway with it last night, up to 65 MPH too, no problems, and I drove to work with it on this morning, no problems.

[cclngthr]

90 bucks for an alignment???!!!???

Jesus, that is high..

[SuperGLS]

Yeah, it is. But, apparently now I can get an alignment whenever I want for the next year, so I'll probably take it in once a month just to get my moneys worth. Also free balancing for a year as well.

[evan938]

ha. go to firestone. 1 time allignment - 70$, lifetime (for life of car) 140$. im gonna get it once i find one that will do lowered cars and go in every few months

[tharptroy]

bleh...that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

typically the ideal practice is to replace a pair if one tire is destroyed (but its done now anyway)

the reason I suggested replacing with a mis-matched tire is that my guess is that he isnt auto-crossing, road racing, or drag racing...and form what I gather, he's a rather easy driver on his tires.

its really just not going to matter until you start pushing the limits of the tires.

[oregun]

ha. go to firestone. 1 time allignment - 70$, lifetime (for life of car) 140$. im gonna get it once i find one that will do lowered cars and go in every few months

Definately find a Firestone!!
I got the lifetime alignment on sale for $119. Even at 140 its a great deal. Just think, you go on a road trip and hit a pothole. Well, you can get an alignment wherever, and won't have to wait till you get home.

[SuperGLS]

Troy, you are right, I'm definitely not doing any racing. Oh wells, I think it'll be alright now.

I'll update if I have any further problems.

[Sledge]

ok just for future refrence that is an impact separation. if you get something like this you should put the spare on and get it to the tire store. Do NOT drive on it... in some cases road hazzard will cover the replacement but allways ask when buying new tires.

[projectx515]

yeah definatly get a new tire i did he same thing in my last car and my tire blew out luckly i was pulling in to my drive way and wasn't going to fast .

[Gun5]

yeah definatly get a new tire i did he same thing in my last car and my tire blew out luckly i was pulling in to my drive way and wasn't going to fast .

ya you got your *** saved there

[zhg411xd]

ha. go to firestone. 1 time allignment - 70$, lifetime (for life of car) 140$. im gonna get it once i find one that will do lowered cars and go in every few months
Firestone? :pukeface: :pukeface: :pukeface: :pukeface: :pukeface: :pukeface: :pukeface: :pukeface: :pukeface: :pukeface: Goodyear is where its at!

[acarzt]

what about an indention? My dad has the exact opposite happening on his truck... Is it safe to drive on that? I would assume it isn't... but i just wanna double check...