Run Flat or not?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 285
Likes: 119
From: Central Fl.
Okay, thanks, so they can be patched if no sidewall damage. Does the air pressure go to "0" and you can still drive the car at 50 mph?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,949
Likes: 24,705
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I switched from runflats to non-runflats (Hankook Ventus V12 EVOs) on my last two C5s and was very pleaed with them. I just ensured I was prepared in the event of a flat tire (plug kit, compressor, cell phone, emergency road service on my auto insurance). However, in all fairness, runflat tires have vastly improved since the Goodyear EMT days so you may want to carefully review runflat tires that may be available before making your purchase.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 27
Likes: 32
From: Akron, OH
Appreciate all the input. Took the car about an hour to my wife's horse show yesterday (even she admits horse is more expensive than Vette), mostly 70mph speed limit highway but tons of cops out for holiday. Ohio weather wasn't warm enough for top down unfortunately. No doubt I need those tires switched asap, they also need balanced.
I am still leaning towards non run flats. I will probably take to track once or twice a year. Explained pros and cons and surprisingly my wife agrees, she would rather wait for tow truck and pay extra to have brought to someone that knows what they are doing with a Vette. We have had issues with getting cars fixed in rural area we grew up in and visit regularly (they couldn't even put right oil in father in laws 2013 Impala).
Thanks
I am still leaning towards non run flats. I will probably take to track once or twice a year. Explained pros and cons and surprisingly my wife agrees, she would rather wait for tow truck and pay extra to have brought to someone that knows what they are doing with a Vette. We have had issues with getting cars fixed in rural area we grew up in and visit regularly (they couldn't even put right oil in father in laws 2013 Impala).
Thanks
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 52
Likes: 24
From: Tampa, FL
I’m sure the tech has gotten “better,” but they still suck compared to “normal” tires. I traded the RFs that came on my 2017 X5 and it transformed the vehicle to what I expected a BMW to be. That’s for an SUV; for a performance car? No way I’d run RFs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Then statistically you are way overdue. I've had a few in my driving years. No prob when cars came with a decent jack and a spare. These days, I use R/F's (Mich) and carry a small compressor and a plug kit. I can't tell you how many nails and small screws I have pulled out of my various cars' tires over the years. I blame frequent visits to Lowes and HD.
Instructor
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 148
Likes: 35
From: Virginia
I too struggled with this decision... read all the posts/opinions.... did the research.... what I decided was to go with the Mich PS/AS3 runflats... just put them on today.... I had to ask myself, self I said, what are you going to use this car for? The answer was a weekend driver for myself and the wife. No track days, no drag racing, nothing but a street driver. With that being the case, with the rural area we live in, with the condition of our roadways today, and planning a trip to Carlisle this year, the answer for me was to have the added peace of mind with the runflats.
I run non runflats on my C4 and drive that at lease one day a week to work.... I haven't had a flat on that yet either, but, the C4 has a spare....
Each to his own, but for me, the RF made the most sensible decision.
I run non runflats on my C4 and drive that at lease one day a week to work.... I haven't had a flat on that yet either, but, the C4 has a spare....
Each to his own, but for me, the RF made the most sensible decision.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
2001 needs tires due to age, they're form 2006 and Eagle run flats, can't say I have heard anything good about their ride or handling. Considering going non run flat to save $600 with better handling and ride.
The question I have is does 60 miles of run flat do any good?
From where I live, I would take a lot of drives into SE Ohio, where 60 miles is not going to get you to a tire dealer I would trust with a Corvette. Might as well just pay for flatbed tow (yes I have AAA).
Thoughts?
The question I have is does 60 miles of run flat do any good?
From where I live, I would take a lot of drives into SE Ohio, where 60 miles is not going to get you to a tire dealer I would trust with a Corvette. Might as well just pay for flatbed tow (yes I have AAA).
Thoughts?
The C5 Zo6's didn't come with run craps for a reason. They are not a good performance tire. I scrapped them immediately on the three C5s I owned. Plus these cars are safer and more enjoyable to drive without them.
Do you run the run flats on any of your other vehicles? Likely not. Do you service and replace your spare tires on your other vehicles? Likely not.
Just some food for thought.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 27
Likes: 32
From: Akron, OH
Grew up with full size spares when flat tires were a regular event. First time with run flats,
Wife's Durango has full size spare. My Charger R/T has little donut spare. However, my sons 2017 Daytona 392 has non run flat with an official dodge can of fix a flat and tiny compressor.
We are going with non run flats and call tire place next week to schedule appt for after July 4th.
Wife's Durango has full size spare. My Charger R/T has little donut spare. However, my sons 2017 Daytona 392 has non run flat with an official dodge can of fix a flat and tiny compressor.
We are going with non run flats and call tire place next week to schedule appt for after July 4th.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
Grew up with full size spares when flat tires were a regular event. First time with run flats,
Wife's Durango has full size spare. My Charger R/T has little donut spare. However, my sons 2017 Daytona 392 has non run flat with an official dodge can of fix a flat and tiny compressor.
We are going with non run flats and call tire place next week to schedule appt for after July 4th.
Wife's Durango has full size spare. My Charger R/T has little donut spare. However, my sons 2017 Daytona 392 has non run flat with an official dodge can of fix a flat and tiny compressor.
We are going with non run flats and call tire place next week to schedule appt for after July 4th.
Some of the Corvette community are quite fickle when it comes to this topic. I find it strange that some are adamant about run flats based on the worry of being stranded...yet the vast majority don't use run flats on their daily driven vehicles, nor do they maintain their spare tires properly. And what about those of us that ride motorcycles? No spare and no run flats.
Of course it's up to personal preference but after owning/driving a few C5s with and without run flat tires I can say the run flats are not a safe tire. Especially when making decent power in your car. Freeway on-ramps with a little rain on the ground and a 3 yr old run flat is downright dangerous.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Personally..... I dont have a crystal ball to know when Im getting a flat. Could be 100 miles from anywhere.....or 20 miles from home. As such (even though I have a tire repair kit, compressor, and slime) I ran runflats. Just made sense to me. I wasnt enthused with having "Clem" (any Clems please forgive my reference) drag my car up ....or Gawd! forbid front tow my car to a shop.
Nothing wrong with non runflat tires....better handling ....cheaper.....quieter... But if you run runflats, and replace them when you should, they are about as good noise, handling etc..... as any others. And.....what about the "Zombie Apocalypse"?...... you can shoot them and still get away..... just saying....
Nothing wrong with non runflat tires....better handling ....cheaper.....quieter... But if you run runflats, and replace them when you should, they are about as good noise, handling etc..... as any others. And.....what about the "Zombie Apocalypse"?...... you can shoot them and still get away..... just saying....
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 631
Likes: 61
From: Amherstburg Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
"Of course it's up to personal preference but after owning/driving a few C5s with and without run flat tires I can say the run flats are not a safe tire. Especially when making decent power in your car. Freeway on-ramps with a little rain on the ground and a 3 yr old run flat is downright dangerous."
That's a load of horse dung.
That's a load of horse dung.
Last edited by o2bnkc; Jun 6, 2021 at 05:51 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 50
From: Wichita, KS
Appreciate the confirmation that run flats suck. Hadn't thought of plug kit which are cheap at parts store.
Next question, any recommendations on a cigarette lighter 12 volt compressor that doesn't suck like run flat tires? I have been given a few over the last 30 years and all went to landfill quickly. I do have a real compressor in my garage.
Next question, any recommendations on a cigarette lighter 12 volt compressor that doesn't suck like run flat tires? I have been given a few over the last 30 years and all went to landfill quickly. I do have a real compressor in my garage.
But I would suggest you get an adapter that lets you plug your compressor into a cigarette lighter type socket that has battery clamps which you can hook up directly to your battery. So you are not running your compressor through your cars electrical system. Less blown fuses that way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
"Of course it's up to personal preference but after owning/driving a few C5s with and without run flat tires I can say the run flats are not a safe tire. Especially when making decent power in your car. Freeway on-ramps with a little rain on the ground and a 3 yr old run flat is downright dangerous."
That's a load of horse dung.
That's a load of horse dung.
Last edited by Johnny Hardcore; Jun 7, 2021 at 10:23 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Perhaps you're not a very good driver?.....and that's still a load of crap.
Last edited by o2bnkc; Jun 8, 2021 at 08:20 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
I’ve heard a lot of excuses why run flats are bad. But dangerous is over the top. I’ve been running my car on run flats for 23 years and have never lost control of it in any type of conditions.
Last edited by Fcar 98; Jun 8, 2021 at 08:56 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 12
Non-Runflats
2001 needs tires due to age, they're form 2006 and Eagle run flats, can't say I have heard anything good about their ride or handling. Considering going non run flat to save $600 with better handling and ride.
The question I have is does 60 miles of run flat do any good?
From where I live, I would take a lot of drives into SE Ohio, where 60 miles is not going to get you to a tire dealer I would trust with a Corvette. Might as well just pay for flatbed tow (yes I have AAA).
Thoughts?
The question I have is does 60 miles of run flat do any good?
From where I live, I would take a lot of drives into SE Ohio, where 60 miles is not going to get you to a tire dealer I would trust with a Corvette. Might as well just pay for flatbed tow (yes I have AAA).
Thoughts?
Last edited by Joevette99; Jun 9, 2021 at 04:46 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
Now back to you. If your car is an A-4 pig and mostly stock, you drive like a grandpa or are a grandpa, don't go over 30mph in rain, and you arent into twisties, or need a proper handling tire because your garage queen only comes out for local car meets at the BK when it's sunny....then the run craps may be perfect for you.
Ask any guy that runs a big power car how well his run flats worked out for him? Total garbage.