Need Tire Help

[lord1234]

Yesterday, I like an idiot, let my girlfriend drive my car. She promptly proceeded to drive my car up onto the curb because she was "frightened of another car". Now there is a huge, what looks like, air buble in my sidewall. It could also be just an indentation in my tire. The question is: is this dangerous to driving, and is it fixable at NTB or do I need to force her to buy me a new set of tires?

[cphilip]

The sidewall belts have seperated.

Replace in pairs. But replace immediately. Its more than likely going to explode and rupture when heated up. So its potentialy dangerous.

[lord1234]

ok...so..no more driving car till i replace tire...thank you.

[thecavemankevin]

yeah phil is right (for once )

the side wall belts have sepperated and now there is only rubber, thus the air bubble and very fragile

you should always replace tires in pairs. So i imagine this was your front tire, so replace both front tires (unless the opposite front tire is very very close to being new and you replace it with the exact same tire brand and model).

if it is the rear tire, then replace, but rotate the front tires (old tires) to the rear of the car, and put the new ones on the front.

[lord1234]

is the front tire yes...these tires have about 5000 miles on them....
thoughts? is that "nearly new" or is that old enough to warrant a brand new pair?

[thecavemankevin]

um, what brand are they, if they are a real nice brand like michelins (sp?) or high end tire like that and should have a high mileage then i would say go with one tire. It also depends on how you are on your tires, to you burn out at any chance you get (do they have a bunch of wear for just 5k)?

if they are a relatively cheap off brand then i would say go ahead and replace both. The reason they say you should replace both is to prevent abnormal wear on the tires.

Think about it like this: if you have one tire that has little tread left, and one tire brand new they obviously have different heights and can create a lean to one side, thus abnormal wear. but if the difference is neglegable then i would only replace one tire.

[thecavemankevin]

oh and by the way, the tire salesman is going to try and talk you into buying another tire even if the one only had 100 miles on it, so be aware.

[Big'n slo]

Also, depending on the brand, you might have a warranty. Just don't tell them how the bubble got there.

[thecavemankevin]

Also, depending on the brand, you might have a warranty. Just don't tell them how the bubble got there.

i meant to say that in my previous post, but forgot

yeah if you have a warrenty take it back and try and get them to replace it. I worked for a rental car company and we had a buick that after about 10k miles developed these bubbles on all four tires. we took it back to GM and they had to replace all of the tires

[lord1234]

It is a General tire, i just don't remember the model off hand..and i am at work...

i think they were put on at NTB.

[SlipknotX556]

Yeah, just replace the tire, it would be the best thing to do.

[lord1234]

oh there is 0 doubt in my mind that i have to replace it...i am driving the girlfriends car right now...remind me NEVER to let her drive my car ever again...