I discovered a 2-inch bubble in the side of the rear driver's side tire. the problem has been identified as a snapped belt that is allowing air to escape the inside of the tire. the tire has 3700 miles on it, and i have never run over so much as a large pothole. nevertheless, the dealer and local tire companies who deal in continental tires have refused to honor any warranty, claiming that the problem is a road hazard. if the tire is so poorly designed or manufactured that normal, on-street driving causes a belt to snap with less than 5,000 miles on the tire, something is seriously wrong with its manufacture.*ak