I took tires to hyundai to have them balanced today, and mechanic came back with some interesting news. Says there are flat spots in the front, and bubbles in the rear, and that the tires are the wrong size (195-60-15, instead of 195-55-15). I know almost nothing about tires, but I didn't think that having bubbles in the tires was that big a deal until they actually started to become 'bubbles' and not just bumps on the tires. The flat spots are because the idiot before me, yanked the e brake when he lost control of the car, then just rotated the tires.

My question is, are any of these problems really a big enough deal to require dropping 300 or 400 down on replacing all four? Or does it not really matter that much? Thanks for any input.

 

195/55R15 is the right size for winter tires
205/50R15 for summer/all season.
As far as the other issues, if it was My car, I would just drive with them like that unless vibration was really bad, or there was noticable bubles in the sidewall or wire showing on the flat spots.

I should also mention that 195/60R15 should still fit, just your speedo will me slightly off.

 

The bubbles in the sidewall will eventually expand and contract from heating up and cooling down and will probably bust if you hit a good bump hard enough. Flat spots aren't good either.

The tire size doesn't matter, you can run a variety of different sized tires on the stock rims... and i think the stock size is 195/50/15, not 195/55/15.

If the bubbles are small, and not like quarter-sized, then you can probably wait a bit if that makes a difference, but you'll probably need new ones pretty soon.

 

It isn't a bubble, just a swell. Maybe a 1/4 inch or so. I always thought that it would only be a problem if it was an actual bubble, like someone was blowing a bubble.

 

Hows your alignment? Is the vibration constant when you drive? How are the tire thread depths?

If your alignment is fine (car doesnt pull to a side when you drive straight) and vibration isnt really a constant thing, I dont see the sense in getting new tires at this point unless your thread is pretty low..like below 5. The dealership was kinda right, but they shouldnt make you get new tires. Im surprised they didnt try to get you to get an alignment..usually places that see flat spots on your tires say its alignment. The bubbles may be a tire defect though.

 

Tread is absolutely fine, and vibration was really bad, but got them balanced (Which is when they noticed the problems) and vibration is completely gone. Alignment is fine, straight as an arrow.

Thanks for all the input guys, I'm just gonna keep an eye on it and see what happens.

 

195/60 R15 are a bit big, but should fit without problems if your car is not lowered.


stock sizes are 205/50 R15 and 195/55 R15


you can go to a tire shop, so that they strengthen the bubble. I had a bubble on old summer tires, it had rubber plate on it on inside side of the tire.