a "dent" in my tire?

[paulxcook]

While driving on the highway this weekend I apparently ran over or hit something with my rear passenger-side tire. Didn't hear or feel it but noticed it was suddenly handling weird. Went to a gas station and the tire pressure was way down. I filled it up and since then it's been holding air just fine (checked 24 hrs later and it's still at just over 32 psi, used 2 gauges to be certain). But there is a very visible "dent", kind of on the sidewall side of the edge where it curves around to the tread of the tire.

Is this something that can be repaired? These tires aren't that old, so I think if I could find the receipt we could take the car in for service, but I don't know if this is a serviceable problem. I don't actually understand how something with air pressure inside can have a dent anyway, shouldn't the air pressure just push the rubber back out?

Any advice from the AT car gurus would be appreciated.

 

[alkemyst]

steel belts.

Tire is more than likely borked.

If it's driving ok then you may have to deal with it or pay up to replace it.

 

[KDKPSJ]

I assume you are talking about "bubble." It's, as alkemyst mentioned, steel belt on sidewall of tire has been bent. No, it's not fixable. If you have road hazard warranty on your tire, it should be covered (Of course, depends on fine print).

It's not that dangerous to drive with the tire with bubble. Many people barely realizes the inside bubble until they jack the car up for the service, in other word, they are not as dangerous as actual flat. But you hold a very high potential of flat/blown tire, though.

My car has a bubble on rear passenger side tire as well. I've driven 4000+ miles since I realized it, and so far, I had no problem. Just watch out deep hole that might cause serious impact, then you should be fine as long as bubble is not a huge one.

 

[bruceb]

Time for a new tire. Bubbles in the sidewall will eventually
lead to a failure and possibly other issues, depending on
when it fails, how fast you are going, etc.

 

[bctbct]

broken belts, I would think its a warranty item if you bought the tire.

 

[M2008S]

like everyone says, belts. whether theyre nylon or steel or both or whatever, one or more are bad. have it checked / replaced to avoid blowout. i need not say more than one time, belt went bad. had a vibration one morning never before noticed. tire blew. sent me from far right across my left, median, other 2 lanes into someones yard.

big vw van.

tires are your life

 

[M2008S]

also

bad belt 1

another type of bad belt- the one i had

bad belt 2

may look like a dent but its not


one thing you NEED to do is ask the dealer for the correct tire specs required for your car. EX- load rating (my van required load range d- like a tire that can hold about 1,550 lbs or more) speed ratings (tires capable of speeds your car travels regularly), etc. many people dont look at it this way and take it real seriously. also it could just be a slightly defected tire, some tires are fine but look goofy. i wouldnt take it lightly though

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: M2008S

tires are your life

hmmm, mine is more beer and pu..., I digress.