Run Flat Or Non Tires....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 57
From: Kensington MD
Currently have runflats, which should last quite a while longer. However, been pondering this issue, myself, for when they wear out.
You folks carrying a plug kit and compressor: do you also carry a jack, or do you just (plan to) keep rolling the car forward/backward until you are able to cleanly access the hole?
You folks carrying a plug kit and compressor: do you also carry a jack, or do you just (plan to) keep rolling the car forward/backward until you are able to cleanly access the hole?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Currently have runflats, which should last quite a while longer. However, been pondering this issue, myself, for when they wear out.
You folks carrying a plug kit and compressor: do you also carry a jack, or do you just (plan to) keep rolling the car forward/backward until you are able to cleanly access the hole?
You folks carrying a plug kit and compressor: do you also carry a jack, or do you just (plan to) keep rolling the car forward/backward until you are able to cleanly access the hole?
It has saved me several times. Did not hurt TPMS and I did not have to buy a new tire which would have been the case if I had runflats. People spread bad information about inflator/sealer. Most of them have never used it. The truth is it works great. It will get you out of a dangerous situation in seconds and home or to a service center where the problem can be dealt with safely.
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Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 400
Likes: 28
From: St. Paul (smokey!) MN
I'm still on the original run flats, I will probably go with non eventually. I'm most interested in the Michelin AS3.
I did get a slime kit and air compressor, which I keep in one of the cubby holes in the trunk. I don't see how it is possible to use a plug kit without removing the wheel.
A note about the slime kit - some (all?) require removing the valve core to inject the slime but don't include the tool. Get one if you need it.
I did get a slime kit and air compressor, which I keep in one of the cubby holes in the trunk. I don't see how it is possible to use a plug kit without removing the wheel.
A note about the slime kit - some (all?) require removing the valve core to inject the slime but don't include the tool. Get one if you need it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I'm still on the original run flats, I will probably go with non eventually. I'm most interested in the Michelin AS3.
I did get a slime kit and air compressor, which I keep in one of the cubby holes in the trunk. I don't see how it is possible to use a plug kit without removing the wheel.
A note about the slime kit - some (all?) require removing the valve core to inject the slime but don't include the tool. Get one if you need it.
I did get a slime kit and air compressor, which I keep in one of the cubby holes in the trunk. I don't see how it is possible to use a plug kit without removing the wheel.
A note about the slime kit - some (all?) require removing the valve core to inject the slime but don't include the tool. Get one if you need it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 128
From: Valdosta GA
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=
They're quiet, comfortable riding, and grip well in dry or wet conditions. The only possible downside is the cost.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I've got Michelin run-flats on our 2003 Anniversary convertible -- no complaints --
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=
They're quiet, comfortable riding, and grip well in dry or wet conditions. The only possible downside is the cost.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=
They're quiet, comfortable riding, and grip well in dry or wet conditions. The only possible downside is the cost.
http://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips/...-a-primer.html
Pros:
You can drive on a flat tire: The primary benefit of a run-flat tire is that it allows you to keep driving about 100 miles after all the air has gone. This means that a person doesn't have to get out of the car in the cold, or the rain, or onto a busy highway or on the street in a sketchy part of town. Drivers will usually have to reduce speed to about 50 mph to get the maximum range. The owner's manual will have exact figures for each tire/vehicle application.
Better stability after a blowout: Because this tire can support the vehicle without air, a sudden deflation results in less weight transfer and tread destabilization. Steering and handling will remain near normal.
Lower vehicle weight: With the spare and tire repair tools eliminated, vehicle weight should theoretically go down. But it's not as much as you might expect, since run-flat tires weigh more than regular tires, due to the added sidewall reinforcement.
Cons:
No spare: Vehicles equipped with run-flat tires carry no spare, which means they don't have the jack or tools either. In fact, eliminating the spare and reallocating that space to some other purpose (styling, third-row seat, interior room, etc.) is a big reason why carmakers offer run-flats.
Reduced tread wear: A recent study by J.D. Power found that people were replacing their run-flat tires an average of 6,000 miles sooner than owners using standard tires. Opinions differ on why this is, but one theory is that tiremakers put a soft tread compound on a run-flat tire to counter the hard ride. A side effect of the softer compound is a shorter tread life.
Blowouts are still possible: If a driver fails to heed or notice the run-flat warning and drives beyond the zero-pressure range or above the speed limitation, the tire can begin to disintegrate, with the same destabilizing effects. Additionally, if the puncture occurred on the sidewall or if the tire hits a large object, the driver would have to call a tow truck. The J.D. Power study found that "customers with vehicles equipped with run-flat tires are nearly twice as likely as those with vehicles equipped with standard tires to have to replace a tire due to a flat or blowout."
Hard to tell if it is low on air: A side effect of the stiffer construction is that the sidewalls do not bulge if the air pressure is low. This means that it is critical to have a tire-pressure monitoring system and check your tire pressure frequently.
Harsher ride: The stiff sidewalls that make a run-flat work also result in a harder ride. If the vehicle came with run-flat tires from the factory, the automaker usually tunes the suspension to offset the harsher ride.
Cost: Run-flat tires are more expensive to replace. A 205/55R16 run-flat tire at a local shop in Santa Monica, California, costs $239. The standard tire equivalent costs about $174, a $65 difference per tire. Also, many run-flat tires cannot be repaired and often need to be replaced in pairs.
Less on-shelf availability: Because run-flats aren't a big-selling tire, drivers shouldn't expect to roll into just any tire store and buy one. It may be easier to do so in larger cities, but if you're a run-flat user on a road trip and get a flat near a small town, you'll probably have to make a detour to find a suitable tire dealer. Or worse, you may have to stay there overnight, waiting for the tire to be shipped.
You can drive on a flat tire: The primary benefit of a run-flat tire is that it allows you to keep driving about 100 miles after all the air has gone. This means that a person doesn't have to get out of the car in the cold, or the rain, or onto a busy highway or on the street in a sketchy part of town. Drivers will usually have to reduce speed to about 50 mph to get the maximum range. The owner's manual will have exact figures for each tire/vehicle application.
Better stability after a blowout: Because this tire can support the vehicle without air, a sudden deflation results in less weight transfer and tread destabilization. Steering and handling will remain near normal.
Lower vehicle weight: With the spare and tire repair tools eliminated, vehicle weight should theoretically go down. But it's not as much as you might expect, since run-flat tires weigh more than regular tires, due to the added sidewall reinforcement.
Cons:
No spare: Vehicles equipped with run-flat tires carry no spare, which means they don't have the jack or tools either. In fact, eliminating the spare and reallocating that space to some other purpose (styling, third-row seat, interior room, etc.) is a big reason why carmakers offer run-flats.
Reduced tread wear: A recent study by J.D. Power found that people were replacing their run-flat tires an average of 6,000 miles sooner than owners using standard tires. Opinions differ on why this is, but one theory is that tiremakers put a soft tread compound on a run-flat tire to counter the hard ride. A side effect of the softer compound is a shorter tread life.
Blowouts are still possible: If a driver fails to heed or notice the run-flat warning and drives beyond the zero-pressure range or above the speed limitation, the tire can begin to disintegrate, with the same destabilizing effects. Additionally, if the puncture occurred on the sidewall or if the tire hits a large object, the driver would have to call a tow truck. The J.D. Power study found that "customers with vehicles equipped with run-flat tires are nearly twice as likely as those with vehicles equipped with standard tires to have to replace a tire due to a flat or blowout."
Hard to tell if it is low on air: A side effect of the stiffer construction is that the sidewalls do not bulge if the air pressure is low. This means that it is critical to have a tire-pressure monitoring system and check your tire pressure frequently.
Harsher ride: The stiff sidewalls that make a run-flat work also result in a harder ride. If the vehicle came with run-flat tires from the factory, the automaker usually tunes the suspension to offset the harsher ride.
Cost: Run-flat tires are more expensive to replace. A 205/55R16 run-flat tire at a local shop in Santa Monica, California, costs $239. The standard tire equivalent costs about $174, a $65 difference per tire. Also, many run-flat tires cannot be repaired and often need to be replaced in pairs.
Less on-shelf availability: Because run-flats aren't a big-selling tire, drivers shouldn't expect to roll into just any tire store and buy one. It may be easier to do so in larger cities, but if you're a run-flat user on a road trip and get a flat near a small town, you'll probably have to make a detour to find a suitable tire dealer. Or worse, you may have to stay there overnight, waiting for the tire to be shipped.
Last edited by JR-01; Dec 7, 2015 at 12:26 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
I have driven on a run flat that had lost its air, had it repaired and did not need to replace it. When we hear that a punctured run flat is driven on it can not be repaired and need to replace 2 of them is true but is the worst case scenario.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,643
Likes: 4,621
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I posted this in another current thread about tires....
When I replace mine which will be soon, I will go with Nitto NT555 Ultra High Performance non-runflat tires for their wide tread width, dry/wet handling capability and smooth ride. I have had these before and currently have Kumho Ecsta runflats but I am tired of noisy run flats. The Kumhos are even louder than the Goodyear EMT's. Plus it is much easier to plug a non-runflat tire. I carry around tire plugs and tools even with runflats.
When I replace mine which will be soon, I will go with Nitto NT555 Ultra High Performance non-runflat tires for their wide tread width, dry/wet handling capability and smooth ride. I have had these before and currently have Kumho Ecsta runflats but I am tired of noisy run flats. The Kumhos are even louder than the Goodyear EMT's. Plus it is much easier to plug a non-runflat tire. I carry around tire plugs and tools even with runflats.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 850
Likes: 26
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I have used Fix a flat several times and it has always gotten me home. No tow, no new tires, no sweat. Easiest solution to a flat tire there is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
If you drive more than 10 to 20 miles on a flat run flat most shops will not fix it. The structural integrity is gone. Good luck. I would never trust that repaired tire at high speed.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 233
From: Placitas NM
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
ONLY RUNFLATS - but it really depends on where you live and what you do. My C5 is a daily driver with 200,000 miles; all driven since I drove it off the showroom floor. In the 15 years that I've had it I have had more than two flats EACH YEAR! I'm an Architect and I visit construction sites and I live in a rural community with a lot of dirt roads. Flats are normal for me and I can't wait for a tow truck.