Run-Flat save!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 780
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, NY
Run-Flat save!
Well, after taking a trip to the Hamptons for a fishing trip early yesterday morning, I got a flat! Picked up a 6" screwdriver??? went in sideways
doing 40mph on a local road..then click click click. The screwdriver was hitting my corsa muffler and inside wheel well. The only choice was to pull it out...after 5 minutes of pulling it, finally came out and sssssssssssss.
Well took the vette home on sunrise hwy doing 55mph(might is say was not easy!) All i can say it thanks for the run-flat...
Should i stick with them? i need new tires anyway now?
doing 40mph on a local road..then click click click. The screwdriver was hitting my corsa muffler and inside wheel well. The only choice was to pull it out...after 5 minutes of pulling it, finally came out and sssssssssssss.
Well took the vette home on sunrise hwy doing 55mph(might is say was not easy!) All i can say it thanks for the run-flat...
Should i stick with them? i need new tires anyway now?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
From: North Port Florida
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Run-Flat save! (1997C5VTBOY)
My recommendation is to stay with runflats, and buy the Firestone Firehawks. They are quieter, and give better ride and performance without giving up the peace of mind that RF's give you.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,190
Likes: 3
From: Johns Creek GA
Re: Run-Flat save! (rschiltz)
I agree, i go back and forth, but when it comes down to it I expect to stay with the runflats, and go with the Stones.
Its stories like these that put me on the fence about non runflats. Glad to hear everything worked out.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 780
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, NY
Re: Run-Flat save! (rschiltz)
The tread on the Firestones doesn't look to great, they even look a little smaller.. I would like a larger tire but to do that you have to loose the run-flat option... :(
After reading many posts about this topic the last 2 years, it seams that the cause of so many flats on these run-flats are the fact that the tire is made so hard that there is no flex for nails..etc to free up?
Some quick facts on the OEM tires:
- noise it high
- traction is poor(at least at the track)
After reading many posts about this topic the last 2 years, it seams that the cause of so many flats on these run-flats are the fact that the tire is made so hard that there is no flex for nails..etc to free up?
Some quick facts on the OEM tires:
- noise it high
- traction is poor(at least at the track)
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Re: Run-Flat save! (1997C5VTBOY)
There are a couple of tradeoffs between the Goodyears and the Firestones:
Goodyears: 200 mile runflat capability at <55mph; look good; noisy; traction could be better
Firestones: 50 mile runflat capability at <55mph; don't look as good (i.e. rounded sidewalls and narrower tread contact patch); have curb rimsaver; quieter; stickier
I've also heard the 'Stones won't get as many miles, driven in the same manner as the Goodyears...don't know if that is true. I think both are actually pretty good tires.
Ed
Goodyears: 200 mile runflat capability at <55mph; look good; noisy; traction could be better
Firestones: 50 mile runflat capability at <55mph; don't look as good (i.e. rounded sidewalls and narrower tread contact patch); have curb rimsaver; quieter; stickier
I've also heard the 'Stones won't get as many miles, driven in the same manner as the Goodyears...don't know if that is true. I think both are actually pretty good tires.
Ed
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Re: Run-Flat save! (1997C5VTBOY)
1997C5VTBOY, we must have the same luck. I had a screw driver screw up my tire as well. Don't even get me started on the utility knife razor blade that found its way into my front right tire. I am a big fan of the run flats, but sure do wish they were quieter and stickier.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: Run-Flat save! (1997C5VTBOY)
Good Story!!! I have over 36000 miles on my EMT's 3/32 in the back 4/32 in the front.. I will get 40000 miles out of these tires.. Yes they are noisy.. but then so are the BFG.. But I took Out a new C5 last weekend has 12 miles on it.. had EMT's I drove it slow and I drove is fast.. and the noise was half of what my car delivers.. the reason.. ?? the rubber is new.. So Half of the hype about noise is because the tires are new.. no matter what they are run flat or no run flat..several people have emailed me that they have had similar experiences buying their second set of EMT... they are much quieter and have a better ride..
The run flat side wall is very hard.. so after a few ywars of diving and many thousand miles.. i would expect them to be "Work hardened" I'll buy the EMT's next spring..not the stones.. they are an inch and a half narrower...and 50 miles @ 55 mph , or 200 miles @55 tells me the engineering for safety with the EMT's is there too...
The run flat side wall is very hard.. so after a few ywars of diving and many thousand miles.. i would expect them to be "Work hardened" I'll buy the EMT's next spring..not the stones.. they are an inch and a half narrower...and 50 miles @ 55 mph , or 200 miles @55 tells me the engineering for safety with the EMT's is there too...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,292
Likes: 0
From: Md
Re: Run-Flat save! (1997C5VTBOY)
Go with the stones. You will not be disappointed and probably willbe surprised at how they ride :yesnod: Around the DC Metro area (suburbs) the roads aren't in great shape. The GY's were pounding me to death :( I drive on Rt. 1 and Cherry Hill rd. in College Park, and with the GY's, I was jumping around the lane I was driving in. You have six manhole covers spaced approximately 10-15 feet apart in a row :crazy: and hitting those badboys with the GY's, the shock would be felt up through my spine :mad I switched to the stones when I got the bucks and now I'm driving the Vette that I thought I bought in the first place! :D :D
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Re: Run-Flat save! (1997C5VTBOY)
I hit a rain filled pot hole a few weeks back and distorted the wheel enough that the tire/wheel lost all air pressure in a matter of a 1/4 mile. I was in suit/tie heading to meeting in the pouring rain. After checking things over I continued to work. When my Chevy dealer opened I drove the car to them for inspection and repairs. They ordered a new wheel and tire, wouldn't be in till the next day. I drove the car back to work, then home that night. The next day I drove it back to the dealer for repairs. After inspecting the tire and calling GY they agreed the tire was fine. Saved me $400. In all I drove two days without air and close to 40 miles without any problems or inconvience. Needless to say I will stay with the GY EMT's. As far as all the extra cabability of the other tires, I guess I don't push my car to appreciate the difference. I take 35 MPH 90 degree corners without slowing and the car sticks like glue. Guess you need to drive very agressive on city streets to feel the difference. Not my style.
Tom
USAF Retired
Tom
USAF Retired
