I am 99% sure I will not replace my tires with Runflats, but I have one last question. Are runflats "blow out " proof or designed to not have a catastrophic failure? I have seen rear quarter panels ripped off of older Corvettes from blowouts. I am not really concerned about nail holes or anything like that , but if runflats are specifically designed to not come apart, then I may have to rethink my decision not to get them.

 

I have never heard of an RF Blowout because they don't really need air at all to support the car at normal speeds, but once the air is gone the handling is quickly reduced and they heat up quickly. I can only think of four scenarios where you may be at risk (my opinion)...

(1) Driving around over 55mph once they go flat
(2) Exceeding the "range" they are designed to run before repair/replacement.
(3) Exceeding the number and placement of puncture repairs or improper puncture repairs (last would most likely just result in the tire going flat again).
(4) Manufacturing defect or mounting damage (could happen with ANY tire).

Have had two sets of GYRFs and two sets of Michelin A/S ZPs and have had flats on every set. Never had a problem driving around slowly before getting to the tire shop for a replacements set. The Michelins are only good for 50 mile range, can only have a single puncture ever repaired per tire, but ride much nicer - they also are much more noticeable when they go flat as the car will lean toward that corner and people will honk and point at you until you get it fixed. The GYRFs can go up to 200 miles (but I don't recommend it as they may not be able to be repaired after that distance) and since they are harder, I never noticed that they were flat at all until the DIC lit up.

I have never been concerned about a blowout as such, but if the internal belt integrity fails it is bad news - run flat or not and the tire will pretty much disintegrate.

I have seen tests where they took a hole saw and drilled a one-inch diameter hole in the sidewall of a GYRF and then drove the car on it for 200 miles and the tire still did not fail.

 

It is one of the reasons I stay on runflats Aside from the "no spare" thing, a flat is a flat, no biggie. A tire event north of three digits ? . . . think I'll stay with the more durable tire tech and hope it stays on the rim

 

Can't answer your question, but at 51 years old I have never had a blow out on anything.
Have you ever experienced one on any vehicle?

 

at 66, i remember the days when they were somewhat common (i guess i sound like i'm old or something, lol!!), i guess that is what motivates the OP in asking. in addition, seeing the rubber alligators that the truck tires leave all over the place may also have been cause to ask. remember that virtually every over the road truck is using "recap" tires where a new tread body is re-molded over the original carcass. eventually the heat breaks them down and they explode. when i was growing up, re-caps were fairly common on the family car also as speeds were lots slower, roads not quite as good, and the economics of the day in many cases required at least their consideration. with modern technology and materials, i'm guessing the statistics on passenger car tires blowing out would make the original question moot. just a guess on my part, but i would think that the strong sidewall on run flats would keep that odd of it blowing out way down.

BTW, the firestone runflats are a very good product also and much better than the OEM GY product.

 

Only once. It was at 70 mph on a three lane freeway in the early 80's. Left front blew out and came right off the rim. 1963 Chrysler New Yorker (I think that car weighed about 8000 lbs ). No problems, felt it but no loss of control, even signaled, changed lanes, off to soulder

It was a "learning experience"

 

had a left front blow at 70 on a 68 firebird 400 back in the day, no issues, felt it, slowed and pulled over, zero issues. I think if I were doing texas mile or a top speed run over 180 I would prefer new GYrunflats like Z or ZR1 has for added safety(??) or at least warm fuzzie feeling.