us Transport & mobility emergencies

What to do if…
you discover a tyre has a bulge, deep cut, or exposed cords and are unsure if it is safe to drive

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: 13 June 2026 Last reviewed: 17 July 2026 Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Do not continue normal driving on the tire. Stop at the first safe location and arrange a spare, roadside assistance, or a tow.

Do not do these things

Do not keep driving at highway speed to make it home or reach a preferred destination.
Do not rely on a plug or sealant to make sidewall damage roadworthy.
Do not ignore a bulge because the tire is still holding air.
Do not jack up the vehicle on a soft shoulder, slope, or location exposed to moving traffic.
Do not stand next to the vehicle where passing traffic could put you at risk.

What to do now

If you are already driving, slow smoothly, avoid sudden steering or braking, and stop at the first safe location.
From a safe position, do a quick visual check. Treat a bulge or bubble as unsafe. Treat a cut as unsafe if fabric, steel, or cords are visible. If you are unsure how deep a cut is, do not continue normal driving until a tire professional has assessed it.
If traffic creates an immediate danger, call 911. Do not stand next to moving traffic while inspecting the tire or waiting for help.
Use a spare only if the vehicle is in a safe place for a wheel change and you can follow the vehicle owner’s manual. For a temporary spare, follow the limits printed on the spare and in the owner’s manual.
If a safe wheel change is not possible, call roadside assistance or a towing service. Tell them that the tire has a bulge, visible cords, or a deep cut.
For a rental, lease, or company vehicle, contact the provider or fleet manager and follow their instructions.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now whether to file an insurance claim or report a pothole.
You do not need to research replacement tire models or warranties while stopped near traffic.
You do not need to diagnose the cause.
Photos of the damage, tire size, and sidewall markings can wait until you are safely away from traffic.

Important reassurance

A tire may still appear inflated while having structural damage. Stopping and arranging a spare or tow is a reasonable safety decision.

Scope note

These are first steps only. A tire professional should assess and replace the damaged tire. After a hard pothole or curb impact, they may also need to check the wheel or suspension.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, mechanical, or other professional advice. If you are in immediate danger from traffic, call 911.

Additional Resources

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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