Took the vert into the alignment shop today after lowering, installing z06 sways and shocks, and putting on some Michelin AS/ZP runflats. I was driving home from the shop in heavy, but fast traffic and just as I was squeezing between a couple big trucks, I heard (and felt) a loud bang. Within a couple seconds, I had the dreaded "Flat Tire" message on the DIC. The car was a little squirrly, but I got it off the highway and found a hole in the tread of the right rear that I could almost stick my little finger through.

The tire held up well at reduced speed while I drove to a nearby Discount tire. I was lucky.. they had one in stock and in a short time I was on my way.... kudos to Discount Tire.

I just wanted to share this as I read many posts about runflats vs non runflats as I tried to decide what to buy. I finally decided on the security of runflats over the better performance and handling of non runflats. For me, at least in this instance, it's turned out to be a pretty good decision. I was at ~70 mph when this occurred, and my guess is that I would have trashed a wheel at the very least had I not been on a runflat.

So while "blowouts" are rare... they happen and in my case it happened on a brand new tire on one of the most traveled roads in the DFW area.

I hope to get another set of wheels and sticky tires for 'spirited cruising' and track days, but think I'll be sticking with RFs for everyday driving.

BTW... not trying to convince ANYONE they should buy one or the other. Your mileage may vary...

 

Gary, glad to hear you're ok and all is well.

 

That is a good day to have run flats!

 

I have to ask: If you had non-run flats, would the chances
of a blow-out have remained the same?

Just curious.

 

Can't agree more: Experience last summer:

It is a beautiful 82 degree sunny day here in South Florida, so decided to take the wife on a spirited ride to nowhere. On the way back, at a high rate of speed, I ran over something (sounded like a tin can). I slowed down, but did not think much about it. A few minutes later, at legal highway speed, the HUD says “check gages.” WTF, look at DIC and find out Left Front Tire flat. I look over at the wife “ Do you know we have a flat tire?” NO WAY! The car handles perfectly. Not the slightest hint of a problem.

It was only when we slowed down to pull into a gas station that the tire problem was noticeable. I tried to re-pressurize the flat, but the air was leaking out as fast as I was filling it up. We were driving with ZERO pressure in that tire, at highway speed, for 20 miles, without any deterioration in handling. Amazing!

I had been debating which brand of tire to replace the worn rears. Goodyear EMT’s will be installed on Monday.

 

Guess I'd still have had a blow out... just think the results would have been different. I think if I'd been running non runflats and hit the same object, the tire would probably have come apart. I had one other blow out at speed several years ago (standard passenger tire) and the tire just flew apart. Don't know how often that is the case, but if you lose all the air in just a second or two and the tire goes flat at 70 mph it can't be good.

By the way... it was interesting to me that the Michelin tire looked about half inflated after this incident. I had one flat on the Goodyears, and it was hard to tell by looking that it was low. Guess that's why they ride smooher.

 

Thanks Rick! Glad it wasn't on Highway 4!! Really ended up being a minor inconveninece instead of any kind of incident.

 

Glad u r OK I think this settles me into run flats!

 

Thanks. But again, not trying to convice people to do runflats.... I must have driven well over a million miles and that's only my 3rd blow out. Just something to consider in the decision process. A lot depends on how you intend to use the car.

 

Gary,

I'm glad to hear that all is ok with you and the car considering the speed and your immediate environment. Was is 183, 121, 635, etc..??? All these hwy's suck especially around 3:30 to 5:00 It's good to see someone "hail" the RF's... I was actaully considering N-RF's for my next set for a few reasons.. Now, I may have to readjust my thinking!!

See you soon buddy!!

Serkan

 

Thanks Serkan...
It was west bound on 635 just before I35. Funny, I was just thinking about had crappy the road was just before it happened.

Wish I knew what it was... It's amazing what will go through a tire... I once pulled an open end 9/16s wrench out of a tire (mine). Sure ruined that H60 polyglas goodyear. oops showing my age. :o

 

Tires today very rarely blowout. At 70 MPH when a non runflat tire goes flat the tire is almost always trashed by the time you get stopped. Many times the rim is also damaged. The runflat/non runflat debate will go on forever. Personally, I will stick with the runflats.

 

635 / I35 corridor huh... I'm not too crazy about the particular spot either, though I must admit I start to enjoy 635 as I get closer to Coppell

Good lord!!!

 

No question for me.....Runflats are the only way to go.

 

Gary, that had to be scary and you are right about it being good it did not happen on Hwy 4. There is just so much junk on our Texas roads its amazing this doesn't happen more often.

 

I still have the orginal GY runflats on my 03. My wife and I travel alot in the car and I had 99.9% decided that I will always use runflats. The thought of being out and away from many stores and no jack or spare really worries me. I do not like the noise of my GY's, and I am somewhat bothered by the handling issues, BUTTTTTTTTTTTTT being able to roll forward on a no air pressure tire is a BIG advantage.

 

 

When it's time to replace the GYs, check out the Michelins. I'm not sure that the handling is that much (if any) better the the GYs, but they are QUIET!!! They ride better too.

 

Sounds like you came out on top, both you and the ride are safe and sound. A good thing!

 

Thats an instance where they are worth it!

I'm keeping mine,(they're like brand new) I don't race, so using them on the highways...good enough for me, also I don't think that they're that "loud"!