us Transport & mobility emergencies tire bulge • tyre bulge • tire bubble • sidewall bubble • tire sidewall cut • deep cut in tire • cords showing on tire • exposed cords tire • exposed ply tire • tire damage unsure safe • can i drive on damaged tire • blowout risk • sudden tire defect • roadside tire problem • highway tire damage • pothole tire damage • curb hit tire sidewall • tire separation concern • tire looks unsafe • bubble in tire sidewall

What to do if…
you discover a tyre has a bulge, deep cut, or exposed cords and you’re unsure if it can be driven on

Short answer

Assume it’s not safe to drive. Get the vehicle to a safer stop as soon as possible and arrange a spare or tow—bulges, deep cuts, and exposed cords can fail suddenly.

Do not do these things

Don’t keep driving at highway speed “to make it home.”
Don’t try to patch/plug sidewall damage or “seal” a cut with foam or tape.
Don’t put extra load on the damaged tire (avoid passengers/cargo if you must move at all).
Don’t ignore a bulge just because the tire isn’t flat—it can signal internal structural damage.
Don’t jack up the vehicle on a soft shoulder or unsafe ground.

What to do now

Make a safer pause. If you’re currently driving, ease off the accelerator, avoid sudden steering/braking, and head for the nearest safe place (parking lot, gas station, wide shoulder only if necessary). Turn on hazard flashers if needed.
Confirm what you’re seeing (quick visual only).
- Bulge/bubble on the sidewall or tread → treat as unsafe.
- Deep cut where you can see fabric/steel, or cords showing → treat as unsafe.
If you’re on a freeway and can exit safely, do that. If you can’t and you must stop, pull as far from traffic as possible. If you feel in immediate danger where you are, call 911.
Use your spare if it’s safe to do so.
- Find the jack, lug wrench, and wheel-lock key.
- If you have a temporary spare (“donut”), follow the speed/distance limits printed on the spare and in your owner’s manual, and drive only as far as needed to reach a tire shop.
If you can’t safely change it, call for roadside assistance or a tow. Use your auto insurer’s roadside number, AAA, your vehicle warranty/roadside plan, or a local towing service. Tell them: “tire bulge / exposed cords / deep sidewall cut.”
For rental/lease/company vehicles: call the rental counter/roadside line or fleet manager and follow their instructions—many require authorized tire replacement and will dispatch help.
Document the damage fast. Take photos (close-up + full tire + the DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) and size info on the sidewall). This can help the shop, fleet, or insurer and reduces pressure to “just drive it in.”

What can wait

You don’t need to decide now whether to file a claim or report a pothole/road hazard.
You don’t need to research tire models or warranties while on the roadside.
You don’t need to diagnose the cause—your only job right now is to avoid a blowout and get safely to a spare/tow.

Important reassurance

It’s common to second-guess yourself because the car may still feel “mostly normal.” With bulges, deep cuts, or cords showing, choosing to stop and get a tow/spare is a rational safety decision.

Scope note

This is first-step guidance only. A tire professional should inspect and replace the tire, and check for wheel or suspension damage if the tire was hit hard (pothole/curb).

Important note

This guide is general information, not mechanical or legal advice. If you’re in an unsafe location or feel at risk from traffic, prioritize personal safety and call emergency services.

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What to do if…you discover a tyre has a bulge, deep cut, or exposed cords and you’re unsure if it can be driven on