Runflat experiences? Had a flat?
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Runflat experiences? Had a flat?
I posted this in C6 Gen too, but I figure runflats have a lot more exposure in the C5 world.
I'm curious to see what sorts of experiences people have had with runflats and actual real-life flat tires.
What happened and what did you do? Was it just a nail & a slow leak, or was it a sidewall slice/total deflation where the tire would hold NO air? Did you drive on the flat or air it up enough to make it to a repair facility?
Did you, or will you replace the runflats with another set of runflats? Would you be happy with non-runflats, an inflator kit, and a can or tire sealant?
Dave
I'm curious to see what sorts of experiences people have had with runflats and actual real-life flat tires.
What happened and what did you do? Was it just a nail & a slow leak, or was it a sidewall slice/total deflation where the tire would hold NO air? Did you drive on the flat or air it up enough to make it to a repair facility?
Did you, or will you replace the runflats with another set of runflats? Would you be happy with non-runflats, an inflator kit, and a can or tire sealant?
Dave
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Gadsden Alabama
glad i had runflats....
Here's my post awhile back about a flat on the way to work.....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1450907
atilla...
sticking with runflats here....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1450907
atilla...
sticking with runflats here....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
I picked up a screw and I could actually hear the air coming out of the tire as I drove. It was a rear tire and it really didn't drive all that bad, but it was noticable. I drove about 25 miles to a trusted tire shop and had it patched from the inside and ended up putting another 20k miles on the tire. I use the car as a daily driver and it was truly convenient not to have to stop and change the tire. I know there is a performance trade-off, but for SAFE street driving, I would argue that the difference is minimal.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Pearland, TX
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '20
Originally Posted by Dave1998
I found a nail it a tire. I pulled it out to see what would happen.
Car rode fine as I drove it to the Goodyear dealer for a patch from the inside of course.
Dave
Car rode fine as I drove it to the Goodyear dealer for a patch from the inside of course.
Dave
Similar, I had a nail in a rear runflat.
I had a goodyear store patch it and drove on it for probably 10k more.
Now I don't have runflats, I have a plug kit & AAA if I need to wait for a day and a half for them to come tow it.
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From: Gadsden Alabama
Originally Posted by 99magredcoupe
... it was truly convenient not to have to stop and change the tire. I know there is a performance trade-off, but for SAFE street driving, I would argue that the difference is minimal.
atilla...
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What if you had a choice between runflats or non-runflats + an inflator kit/sealant in the car? Would you have paid extra for the runflats from the get-go, or is it just in hindsight that you see the value of them?
I can't decide what I would do. I've been driving my car for 9 years without a spare and without runflats. Never had a tire problem to speak of. I figure I have a cell phone & roadside assistance to handle it.
I can't decide what I would do. I've been driving my car for 9 years without a spare and without runflats. Never had a tire problem to speak of. I figure I have a cell phone & roadside assistance to handle it.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Morgan Hill Ca.
I ran runflats for a few years. Had two flats, both were nails. They did loose the air. It was noticeable when driving but they got me to the dealer to be repaired.
I have since ditched the runflats as with the mods on the car they just would not hold the HP and were noisy to boot. I went with Michelin PS2s and love them. Great ride, better handling and quite a bit quieter. I carry a patch kit and a little compressor.
I went with a larger tire and wider rim with the PS2s I now have 295s on the rear and 275s on the front.
I have since ditched the runflats as with the mods on the car they just would not hold the HP and were noisy to boot. I went with Michelin PS2s and love them. Great ride, better handling and quite a bit quieter. I carry a patch kit and a little compressor.
I went with a larger tire and wider rim with the PS2s I now have 295s on the rear and 275s on the front.
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From: St Marys GA
You will get a different answer from the performance crowd.
My experience with a Nissan 300ZX (collapsible spare): Had flat doing 80 at midnight on a remote section of I95 North of Jacksonville. By the time I stopped, the tire was shredded and I was just over the crest of an overpass (businesses closed). I was worried about 1) 18 wheeler drifting a foot or two over and 2) some not so "good samaritin" stopping by to help. I got it done but during the change a large group of fire ants decided to check my legs out - I kept going and worried about the ant bites later.
My wife has 15K mi on Dunlop runflats SC430. I was initially skeptical, but I like the idea of her being able to drive home. The narrow sidewall results in a rough un-Lexus like ride at times though. I'm now in my 7th decade with matching knee replacements so I'll stick with the RFs on the vette too.
DBD
My experience with a Nissan 300ZX (collapsible spare): Had flat doing 80 at midnight on a remote section of I95 North of Jacksonville. By the time I stopped, the tire was shredded and I was just over the crest of an overpass (businesses closed). I was worried about 1) 18 wheeler drifting a foot or two over and 2) some not so "good samaritin" stopping by to help. I got it done but during the change a large group of fire ants decided to check my legs out - I kept going and worried about the ant bites later.
My wife has 15K mi on Dunlop runflats SC430. I was initially skeptical, but I like the idea of her being able to drive home. The narrow sidewall results in a rough un-Lexus like ride at times though. I'm now in my 7th decade with matching knee replacements so I'll stick with the RFs on the vette too.
DBD
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From: Gadsden Alabama
Originally Posted by ddecart
What if you had a choice between runflats or non-runflats + an inflator kit/sealant in the car? Would you have paid extra for the runflats from the get-go, or is it just in hindsight that you see the value of them?
atilla...
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From: Phoenix AZ
I hit something on the highway (Rt.287, NJ) that punched a hole in the tyre big enough to put four fingers through, I was doing about 70mph when it happened. The console went 31 psi .. 16 psi .. you have a flat ... max speed 55mph.
The console's changes were tick tick tick. That quick.
I slowed down and took it into the nearest town where they replaced the tyre. Probably travelled about 12 miles on the runflat while it carried no air.
It worked in my situation, saved me from a catastrophic blow-out and enabled me to limp to the nearest dealership that could fix the tyre.
cam
The console's changes were tick tick tick. That quick.
I slowed down and took it into the nearest town where they replaced the tyre. Probably travelled about 12 miles on the runflat while it carried no air.
It worked in my situation, saved me from a catastrophic blow-out and enabled me to limp to the nearest dealership that could fix the tyre.
cam
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Originally Posted by AtiLLa
most people would probably not choose them if they didnt come on the car.....but once you've had a flat and experienced the convenience of not even stopping the car......to me it makes them worth the money.....so i plan to keep them....
atilla...
atilla...
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From: Flagstaff Az.
runflats
Had a leak(big nail) in rear. Had it patched from inside. When I put the new rims and tires on I switched to non runflats and gave the originals to a buddy with a vette. They had 14,000 on them then and have gone many miles since the trade. I have the sensors in and a pump-sealant kit now.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Coconut Creek FL
I had 3 incidents in the 2 years I owned the 97...all were immediate air out of tire on the highway doing 80...DIC said Low air, tire flat almost at the same time
(rear passenger side both times) and drivers side front the next time. Run flats saved me all three times...
Recently with my 7800 mile 2000 coupe- I picked up a roofing nail and it also went from full to flat in a matter of minutes...this time I was about 5 minutes from home...patched it real quick then took it in for a proper repair.
I agree- run flats are loud and do not get the best traction...but I am a believer...even if its going to cost me $$ next tire change...I will go run flats again, Florida roads are littered with crap and its a matter of when, not if it will happen!
(rear passenger side both times) and drivers side front the next time. Run flats saved me all three times...Recently with my 7800 mile 2000 coupe- I picked up a roofing nail and it also went from full to flat in a matter of minutes...this time I was about 5 minutes from home...patched it real quick then took it in for a proper repair.
I agree- run flats are loud and do not get the best traction...but I am a believer...even if its going to cost me $$ next tire change...I will go run flats again, Florida roads are littered with crap and its a matter of when, not if it will happen!
Racer
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From: Gadsden Alabama
Originally Posted by ddecart
What if you had a choice between runflats or non-runflats + an inflator kit/sealant in the car?
atilla...
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From: Fort Wayne IN
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I had a runflat with a sidewall bubble that went on me about a month ago. I drove it home with no ill effect. Worked as advertised.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Tulsa OK
Shortly after I purchased the car I took an extended cross country road trip. Interstate all the way. When I got to my destination, I was cleaning the car and noticed a good size nail through the tread about 1/2" to 3/4" in from the edge of the side wall. If this was regular tire it would have been a flat for sure but because the side walls are so thick on the RFs it never went all the way through. No pressure loss at all.
That said, I have decided to dump the run flats and just pruchased a set of GS D3s.
The RFs are getting louder by the day and recenty, the rears don't hook up at all. I guess the compound is just getting hard, dry and tired. They were the stock tires and tread wear was great - been on the car for 30K and could still go for a while.
Maybe I will be sorry later but its worth a try to see the difference between the RFs and regular tires. I don't hear of too many Z owners switching to RFs but the coupes and verts seem to go the other way pretty frequently.
P.S. I can't remember the last time I got a flat on the road with any vehicle - so what that they had a spare, it just doesn't happen that much! OK no one needs to say it - I know "Famous Last Words."
That said, I have decided to dump the run flats and just pruchased a set of GS D3s.
The RFs are getting louder by the day and recenty, the rears don't hook up at all. I guess the compound is just getting hard, dry and tired. They were the stock tires and tread wear was great - been on the car for 30K and could still go for a while.
Maybe I will be sorry later but its worth a try to see the difference between the RFs and regular tires. I don't hear of too many Z owners switching to RFs but the coupes and verts seem to go the other way pretty frequently.
P.S. I can't remember the last time I got a flat on the road with any vehicle - so what that they had a spare, it just doesn't happen that much! OK no one needs to say it - I know "Famous Last Words."
Last edited by EStreeter; Aug 17, 2006 at 04:18 PM.
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From: www.ncminsurance.com Bowling Green KY Home of the Corvette!
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I would not have chosen the Goodyears, but rather Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP.
Much better tire in wet conditions and do not get as loud as the Good years do.
Adam
Much better tire in wet conditions and do not get as loud as the Good years do.
Adam
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From: Valparaiso Indiana
I had a huge nail in my right rear tire last week...tire wouldn't even hold air. Fortunately, I was on my was on my way to get a new set of Suimitomos installed, so I just ran it empty for 20 miles! The DIC said not to go over 55, I was waiting for the next message to say "good luck"!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Maple North Carolina
my tire history
I've had three flats in two plus years on runflats. Two in sidewalls and one in the tread area. BTW: All were rear tires. I drive all three to a GY dealer and had the repair done. Heck I even had GY replace two tires under road hazard insurance.
Recently, I've still replaced the RF's with non-Rf tires. I now keep my AAA card in the car yet I've not had a flat since going to nonRF tires. I like the lack of road noise and the softer feel of the new tires better than the OE runflats.
Recently, I've still replaced the RF's with non-Rf tires. I now keep my AAA card in the car yet I've not had a flat since going to nonRF tires. I like the lack of road noise and the softer feel of the new tires better than the OE runflats.