Tire Advice
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I'm a dissenter. I prefer runflats. Yea, I know can of slime and all that jazz, but no, I'll stay with them.
Friend of mine had non run flats on his C6. Called me one night about 10p, cut down a tire - did I have a spare? Fortunately, I had just changed wheel/tires on my C7, so he was up and running again some 3 hours hours later.
But kinda killed his night out w/ his wife, and required a 3rd friend with a truck to move the tire, plus figuring out how to jack it up while on the side of a 55mph road at 11p at night....no thanks.
Friend of mine had non run flats on his C6. Called me one night about 10p, cut down a tire - did I have a spare? Fortunately, I had just changed wheel/tires on my C7, so he was up and running again some 3 hours hours later.
But kinda killed his night out w/ his wife, and required a 3rd friend with a truck to move the tire, plus figuring out how to jack it up while on the side of a 55mph road at 11p at night....no thanks.
Runflats do blowout more often than regular tires and they can not be driven on when that happens. Only with punctures.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
Last edited by Fcar 98; Jun 30, 2017 at 04:38 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I don't?
My car came with runflats. Not "runlets". What are "runlets"?
I have had all the experience with runflats I want. Best thing I ever did was get rid of them.
Read before buying runflats:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...ires/index.htm
.
https://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips...-a-primer.html
Despite what you believe knowledge is a good thing.
My car came with runflats. Not "runlets". What are "runlets"?
I have had all the experience with runflats I want. Best thing I ever did was get rid of them.
Read before buying runflats:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...ires/index.htm
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.
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.
https://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips...-a-primer.html
Despite what you believe knowledge is a good thing.
Last edited by JR-01; Jun 30, 2017 at 04:50 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
It's "Give me a break".
https://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips...-a-primer.html
Where do you get your information? Never mind. You obviously don't get it.
Last edited by JR-01; Jun 30, 2017 at 04:55 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
You may think that the internet is only good for **** and gambling, but you really can learn things from it if you try. You can even learn how to spell.
It's "Give me a break".
https://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips...-a-primer.html
Where do you get your information? Never mind. You obviously don't get it.
It's "Give me a break".
https://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips...-a-primer.html
Where do you get your information? Never mind. You obviously don't get it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Now what are the benefits of runflats, again? Oh right. If they get a puncture you can drive up to 50 miles. Too bad you will probably have to buy a new tire since most shops will not patch runflats that have been driven more than a few miles.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
And of course because it is the general consensus of the forum it must be fact. Read the Ask Tadge Announcement on the top of the C5 general page about the response on the evolution of runflats. Some people that might know something do not agree with the consensus of the forum.
I was just trying to add some humor along with addressing the question of the OP.
My opinion is that YES he needs to replace his OLD tires, and I enjoy my AE much more running conventional tires. Many on the Forum agree, and I will openly admit that some do not. I get it.
Sorry if I set you off, just trying to help our a Junior Member to the Forum as best I can.
...... Can't we all just get along ?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 25
Race Director
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 13,175
Likes: 129
From: Louisiana
St.. Jude Donor '17-'18
Last edited by 001pewter; Jun 30, 2017 at 10:54 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 477
Likes: 110
From: Leland NC
Yes-- Michelins!
There will be a big difference in handling just going around a corner at 30mph on the street. Tires that old are dangerous. There is no reason not to replace old tires unless someone is a super cheap tightwad. I don't think Bloomington competitions expect you to keep original tires. Am I wrong ?
OP: get new tires.
Consumer reports rated the Michelin AS/3+ the best all seasons available. Continental DWS06 were also highly rated. Frankly, any cheap new tires will be superior to what you have on there.
OP: get new tires.
Consumer reports rated the Michelin AS/3+ the best all seasons available. Continental DWS06 were also highly rated. Frankly, any cheap new tires will be superior to what you have on there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 288
Run flats
I don't?
My car came with runflats. Not "runlets". What are "runlets"?
I have had all the experience with runflats I want. Best thing I ever did was get rid of them.
Read before buying runflats:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/07/deflating-reality-of-run-flat-
.
https://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips...-a-primer.html
Despite what you believe knowledge is a good thing.
My car came with runflats. Not "runlets". What are "runlets"?
I have had all the experience with runflats I want. Best thing I ever did was get rid of them.
Read before buying runflats:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/07/deflating-reality-of-run-flat-
.
https://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips...-a-primer.html
Despite what you believe knowledge is a good thing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Also, the whole point of RF's is that even if you do have a real blowout with a big hole in the tire, you can still drive on them. Unless they come off the rim completely, and frankly, that only happens these days with under inflated and over loaded tires - simply no excuse for that with TPMS.
Remember all these SUV accidents a few years back? Heavily loaded, only happened in areas with very high ambient and road surface temperatures and tire pressures not increased to compensate. That's why the big outcome was that TPMS became a legal requirement.
Anyway in the future all tires will be RF, so we all need to adapt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 288
Where on earth did you get that statistic from? I've been driving my C5 solidly on RF's since 1997 and have had numerous punctures but zero catastrophic blow outs. On the other hand, our other car (non RF's) had two total tire failures in it's 10 year life with us, as in big gash in tire due to a snow filled small pothole, so park and put on the spare.
Also, the whole point of RF's is that even if you do have a real blowout with a big hole in the tire, you can still drive on them. Unless they come off the rim completely, and frankly, that only happens these days with under inflated and over loaded tires - simply no excuse for that with TPMS.
Remember all these SUV accidents a few years back? Heavily loaded, only happened in areas with very high ambient and road surface temperatures and tire pressures not increased to compensate. That's why the big outcome was that TPMS became a legal requirement.
Anyway in the future all tires will be RF, so we all need to adapt.
Also, the whole point of RF's is that even if you do have a real blowout with a big hole in the tire, you can still drive on them. Unless they come off the rim completely, and frankly, that only happens these days with under inflated and over loaded tires - simply no excuse for that with TPMS.
Remember all these SUV accidents a few years back? Heavily loaded, only happened in areas with very high ambient and road surface temperatures and tire pressures not increased to compensate. That's why the big outcome was that TPMS became a legal requirement.
Anyway in the future all tires will be RF, so we all need to adapt.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 80
Likes: 2
Like you I had the original tires and because the car doesn't get driven much they still looked like new. Reading the forums one day it became clear that even though they looked new, they should be replaced.
I replaced my original tires with Hankooks. I was very reluctant prior to buying them but as soon as I drove the car I was satisfied with them. Frankly I didn't notice an improved ride as much as I noticed the improvement in traction. Clearly the old tires were very stiff.
I can't recall the price but they were inexpensive.
Now I carry a pump, a repair kit, and a can of Slime just in case. FWIW my tire guy begged me to never use the Slime.
I replaced my original tires with Hankooks. I was very reluctant prior to buying them but as soon as I drove the car I was satisfied with them. Frankly I didn't notice an improved ride as much as I noticed the improvement in traction. Clearly the old tires were very stiff.
I can't recall the price but they were inexpensive.
Now I carry a pump, a repair kit, and a can of Slime just in case. FWIW my tire guy begged me to never use the Slime.