Run Flat debate
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Run Flat debate
I am a corvette newbie - bought a 2001 convertible last August. It currently has Toyo proxes tires which will need to be replaced soon. It seems that non run-flat tires are preferred by many. With no jack on board I'm leery about taking long trips with it. What do the non run-flat advocates do for peace of mind in case of a flat? Inflator kit? Looking for advice.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
plug kit, air compresser, and some carry slime or fix a flat. If a tire blows to the point this won't fix it, a run flat ain't gonna help
and always have a subscription to AAA or something similar.
and always have a subscription to AAA or something similar.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Electric screw jack, 12v air compressor, plug kit, pliers, 12V impact wrench (or lug wrench) all fit neetly in the center cubby in the trunk.
Add your cellphone and AAA and away you go.....
135K (s)miles on my '01 and have not used them .... yet
Add your cellphone and AAA and away you go.....
135K (s)miles on my '01 and have not used them .... yet
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
^^^ 
and you will love the Toyo's ...girlfriend got 38K out of her first set and she didn't baby them...on the 2nd set and expect the same results
and you will love the Toyo's ...girlfriend got 38K out of her first set and she didn't baby them...on the 2nd set and expect the same results
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 722
From: Chicago N/W Suburbs
I bought this slime repair kit from Walmart a year ago on clearence for under $50, and it stores very nicely in the center trunk storage area along with the 12CD changer & jumper cables, with a little room to spare. I bought the cheapest non-run flat tires I could find Sumitomo's from Tire Rack for $502 delivered, and they are great. Quiet & comfortable ride, yet handling is not sacrificed. Just don't push the car hard in the rain.....like anyone would regardless of tires? Search the forum "Sumitomo" on others commenting on how good these tires are.
Last edited by Ron Dittmer; Apr 16, 2011 at 12:15 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I bought this slime repair kit from Walmart a year ago on clearence for under $50, and it stores very nicely in the center trunk storage area along with the 12CD changer & jumper cables, with a little room to spare. I bought the cheapest non-run flat tires I could find Sumitomo's from Tire Rack for $502 delivered, and they are great. Quiet & comfortable ride, yet handling is not sacrificed. Just don't push the car hard in the rain.....like anyone would regardless of tires? Search the forum "Sumitomo" on others commenting on how good these tires are.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,287
Likes: 1,157
From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
I stayed with run-flats, buying Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP's this time instead of the OEM Goodyears. The Michelin is a much quieter, softer tire, rides better, better wet traction, etc than the Goodyears....and I don't need to be laying in the mud along side the road trying to jack up the car and repair a flat tire. Just slow down and drive to the nearest tire shop.
JMO
JMO
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,060
Likes: 102
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
I stayed with run-flats, buying Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP's this time instead of the OEM Goodyears. The Michelin is a much quieter, softer tire, rides better, better wet traction, etc than the Goodyears....and I don't need to be laying in the mud along side the road trying to jack up the car and repair a flat tire. Just slow down and drive to the nearest tire shop.
JMO
JMO
my choice also. nothing like being dressed up in a coat and tie and trying to deal with a flat that you know you can take care of with a plug kit, but that;s about the only good part of it. sweat, rain, mud, dirt, i prefer not to have to deal with it or wait an hour for AAA to show up when i'm trying to get somewhere on a schedule. i've been very lucky also, in that i haven't had to test either system yet, but given the choice, i'd like to know i can keep right on driving down the road.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,983
Likes: 393
From: Stoney Creek Ontario
I stayed with run-flats, buying Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP's this time instead of the OEM Goodyears. The Michelin is a much quieter, softer tire, rides better, better wet traction, etc than the Goodyears....and I don't need to be laying in the mud along side the road trying to jack up the car and repair a flat tire. Just slow down and drive to the nearest tire shop.
JMO
JMO
great choice, I just had mine installed today, after going through 2 sets of Goodyear run craps, I'm sorry I didn't put the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP run flats on last tire change... amazing difference and a huge improvement all around!Plus, my sweetie drives my vette more than I do, gives us both a feeling of comfort knowing she won't get stuck somewhere with a flat tire...
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs Fl
I stayed with run-flats, buying Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP's this time instead of the OEM Goodyears. The Michelin is a much quieter, softer tire, rides better, better wet traction, etc than the Goodyears....and I don't need to be laying in the mud along side the road trying to jack up the car and repair a flat tire. Just slow down and drive to the nearest tire shop.
JMO
JMO
my choice also. nothing like being dressed up in a coat and tie and trying to deal with a flat that you know you can take care of with a plug kit, but that;s about the only good part of it. sweat, rain, mud, dirt, i prefer not to have to deal with it or wait an hour for AAA to show up when i'm trying to get somewhere on a schedule. i've been very lucky also, in that i haven't had to test either system yet, but given the choice, i'd like to know i can keep right on driving down the road. great choice, I just had mine installed today, after going through 2 sets of Goodyear run craps, I'm sorry I didn't put the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP run flats on last tire change... amazing difference and a huge improvement all around!Plus, my sweetie drives my vette more than I do, gives us both a feeling of comfort knowing she won't get stuck somewhere with a flat tire...
me 4 and if you want, carry a compressor too
Last edited by Florida99; Apr 16, 2011 at 07:49 PM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
From: Tulsa OK
My '02 came with a new set of Bridgestone Potenza's installed by the previous owner, and a can of fix-a-flat. I pitched the fix-a-flat and bought the Slime compressor and plugging kit to go along with my AAA card and cell phone. Many times I have been able to spot a low tire in time to avoid a muddy shoulder in the rain, but if you can't the AAA card and cell phone usually work.
OBD
OBD
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I've had the OEMs, Michelin AS ZPs and I'm now running Toyo Proxes
The switch to Michelins was night and day. A massive improvement in handling and road noise. The switch to Toyos was only a minor improvement if you accept that the AS ZPs were well worn at the rear.
If I could have afforded the extra ££ for the Michelins I'd have stayed with them but I couldn't justify the extra £600 ($900). I now carry a can of fix a flat.
The switch to Michelins was night and day. A massive improvement in handling and road noise. The switch to Toyos was only a minor improvement if you accept that the AS ZPs were well worn at the rear.
If I could have afforded the extra ££ for the Michelins I'd have stayed with them but I couldn't justify the extra £600 ($900). I now carry a can of fix a flat.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
I bought this slime repair kit from Walmart a year ago on clearence for under $50, and it stores very nicely in the center trunk storage area along with the 12CD changer & jumper cables, with a little room to spare. I bought the cheapest non-run flat tires I could find Sumitomo's from Tire Rack for $502 delivered, and they are great. Quiet & comfortable ride, yet handling is not sacrificed. Just don't push the car hard in the rain.....like anyone would regardless of tires? Search the forum "Sumitomo" on others commenting on how good these tires are.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
I stayed with the runflats (Michelin) but I also carry the fix-a-flat (no....I dont wear a belt AND suspenders 
). TPS sensors on my car cost $40, well worth avoiding a tow if it came to that.
I wouldnt really care much about getting under there to plug it or whatever, what Im trying to avoid is not being at the mercy of whatever tow operator shows up and having a baby if they are vette clueless as they yank the car up.
Im sure the non run flats perform better but the newer runflats perform so well that the difference is not worth it for me.
). TPS sensors on my car cost $40, well worth avoiding a tow if it came to that.I wouldnt really care much about getting under there to plug it or whatever, what Im trying to avoid is not being at the mercy of whatever tow operator shows up and having a baby if they are vette clueless as they yank the car up.
Im sure the non run flats perform better but the newer runflats perform so well that the difference is not worth it for me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: Liverpool NY
I put on a set of Michelin Pilot Sport ZP (summer tire), they are fairly quite in comparison to other run flats. I don't do any winter driving so I had no need for an all season tire, I do do a lot of country driving and wanted the security of being able to drive to a city without being stranded say in the middle of the Adirondack mountains.