the lndr

I just noticed a tire bubble on the right front tire on the side. Is it dangerous to drive it like that? I called Lexus service and I was told that it was not warranteed. It is a dealership good will call. I checked the rim and it is fine and no scrathes. Any advise?

accelerate

What do they mean it's not covered under warrenty, sure it is if not Lexus the tire manufacture of the tire it's a defect.

sjgIS350

Bubbles on a sidewall are caused by air being trapped between the rubber and the tire body. There are no steel belts in the sidewalls of passenger car tires. The general cause is impact. Meaning the tire likely hit somthing hard enough to cause an internal rupture. Not a mfg defect just a fact of life with low profile tires.

See if there is a mark/scuff on the tire near the bubble area...a sign of the impact. Surprising there is no wheel damage..but possible

Worked in the tire business for 10 years..saw lots of these.

the lndr

The service adviser said it could have happened parking or going over a bump. I find it hard to understand that I did not feel it happen. So is it safe to drive on til I get it fixed?

sjgIS350

can cause a blowout..

The only fix is a new tire

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

very dangerous get it fixed asap

the lndr

Thanks ,can I drive on it to a tire shop. Should I put the spare on it now? It seems to be holding up fine.

ViSH7o2

if the tire shop is a few miles up the street go for it.. n olong drives though

Skulinex

That's BS!!, 1SICKLEX had that problem with brand new tire, he didn't hit anything <not saying that hitting a curb or hitting the tire in a specific way won't do it> yet one of his tires got a bubble, it was an actual mgf defect and it was covered under warranty.. if there is not damage on the rim and no signs of impact at all on the tire itself, you should be able to get it replace under warranty..

LeslieRC

I don't disagree with any of the members' advice/opinions to this point. However, given the facts as you have stated, I would drive it to the dealership and have a meeting with my salesman and the service manager with the aim to have the tire replaced at the dealer's cost. [You're going to have to replace the tire anyway.] Good luck!

Bichon

Low profile tires are susceptible to sidewall bubbles from impacts with potholes, a road hazard that is extremely prevalant this time of year. It is most likely NOT a manufacturing defect. Perhaps the original poster will be able to get the tire replaced thanks to dealer or Lexus good will, but my expectation is that it would not be covered.

shaolin

iTrader: (2)

they are very dangerous to drive on. Did you hit a pot or curb? If not bring it back or any tires shop and ask them to contact the tire manufacture if it is manufacture defect.

Drive slow or put your spare on cuz if that thing blow on you............

Tony1

put up a stink about it, and they may replace it at no charge, at the
very least have them charge you wholesale for it, and also have them
not charge for installation.. I drove with a bubble on my tire for 1 month.
It got to the point of the car felt like it was going over speed bumps. lol
It can blow , but if it's a small bubble,it probably won't.. just don't drive too fast in case it blows, just have it replaced as soon as you can..

Rockville

to tell if it was an impact when the tire is removed. The inside of the tire will usually have an "X" where the sidewall was damaged. If not you may be able to claim a defect. Best of luck.

Rock

boosttoy

Hi. all i have 25 years plus in the tire industry.It is fairly easy to determine if this tire has a impact
break or not.Have the bubble marked,dismount the tire and inspect the inner liner for a cut.If there is not a cut the tire is defective.The defect is called ply gap.During building of the tire a sidewall ply could have been left out.This is very rare but possible.have it inspecvted asap.
Good luck,Frank