Run-flats Rock!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Run-flats Rock!
I had my first flat tire with my vert two days ago. My DIC told me the left rear time was low, so I aired it up. At that time, I saw a piece of metal sticking out. I thought it was superficial, so I pulled it out; then, I heard the loud hissing! Then, I said to myself, no problem; I have run-flats! So, I drove off, and got it repaired later that day.
I was considering whether to replace these tires with more run-flats when they wear out. Now, I am definitely going to! That was so cool, driving with a flat tire...
I was considering whether to replace these tires with more run-flats when they wear out. Now, I am definitely going to! That was so cool, driving with a flat tire...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Garland Texas
runflats
just had front and back Goodyear runflats installed . expensive!? you bet. I'm getting a bit better gas mileage and the ride is much better. I went round and round "get it", should I buy runflats or not to buy runflats. I'm glad I stuck with the runflats.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 559
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa Kansas
If you don't mind lots of road noise and poor performance, run-flats are great. I figure I'll up my insurance plan to cover a tow when I buy new tires, and I'll go with non-run-flats. I'm not going to worry about the miniscule chance that I'll get a flat and have to wait an hour for a tow truck and buy the tire that meets my performance (and decibel) needs 99.9% of the time.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
If you don't mind lots of road noise and poor performance, run-flats are great. I figure I'll up my insurance plan to cover a tow when I buy new tires, and I'll go with non-run-flats. I'm not going to worry about the miniscule chance that I'll get a flat and have to wait an hour for a tow truck and buy the tire that meets my performance (and decibel) needs 99.9% of the time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
I agree. Would not want any hayseed to put a hook on my vette. Also would be concerned about having the vette put on a flatbed......don't know that they'd get that done, especially on a vette with a flat tire, without damaging the underside of the front and possibly rear of the car.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
I agree. Would not want any hayseed to put a hook on my vette. Also would be concerned about having the vette put on a flatbed......don't know that they'd get that done, especially on a vette with a flat tire, without damaging the underside of the front and possibly rear of the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,060
Likes: 3
From: Dublin CA
I left my vette in the hands of a tow truck driver once who had to call a flatbed, and I caught a ride home. When he dropped the car off at home I tipped him $40 because it was miserable weather. A few weeks later I crawled underneath, and found four deep jack pad imprints in the fiberglass. 
Too much time had passed to do anything about it.
Too much time had passed to do anything about it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
I agree. Would not want any hayseed to put a hook on my vette. Also would be concerned about having the vette put on a flatbed......don't know that they'd get that done, especially on a vette with a flat tire, without damaging the underside of the front and possibly rear of the car.
Seriously, theres nothing complicated about driving a Vette onto a flatbed, flat or no flat. Worked for me when I had 2 flats at once. No damage.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 559
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa Kansas
The wheels will still roll even if you have a flat. If the wheels roll the car will move and if you put a flat bed in front of it then it will move on to the flatbed. Seriously, theres nothing complicated about driving a Vette onto a flatbed, flat or no flat. Worked for me when I had 2 flats at once. No damage.
Seriously, theres nothing complicated about driving a Vette onto a flatbed, flat or no flat. Worked for me when I had 2 flats at once. No damage.
I think the biggest thing is to make sure it's a flatbed, and watch while they load/unload it.
Now a CTS-V Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 1
From: Central Ohio
CI 5-6-7 & 9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
If you don't mind lots of road noise and poor performance, run-flats are great. I figure I'll up my insurance plan to cover a tow when I buy new tires, and I'll go with non-run-flats. I'm not going to worry about the miniscule chance that I'll get a flat and have to wait an hour for a tow truck and buy the tire that meets my performance (and decibel) needs 99.9% of the time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 71
From: MA
Question for you guys that have had your vette flatbedded. I looked at several that had their bed fully extended and it looked like it had to steep an angle for the front end, particularly if you had a front flat. Also, I would be concerned about them using the typical chains for pulling the car up. I don't see many of them using nylon webbing. Also, where did they hook your car to pull it up the ramp?? I would be very interested in this.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: bothell wa
Ive had mine towed 3 times
Question for you guys that have had your vette flatbedded. I looked at several that had their bed fully extended and it looked like it had to steep an angle for the front end, particularly if you had a front flat. Also, I would be concerned about them using the typical chains for pulling the car up. I don't see many of them using nylon webbing. Also, where did they hook your car to pull it up the ramp?? I would be very interested in this.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,992
Likes: 3
From: Pleasanton CA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12, '14-'17,'21, '25
I changed my run flats at 20k miles to the GSD3 tire. I had 2 nails in the run flats and had them changed at my convienence.
I believe that the car handles slightly better now with the new tires. I have had 2 flats in the last 10k miles(GSD3 tire...both times tire had to be replaced due to nail/spike through the side wall). I have the ContiComfort kit from Tire rack and it has saved me both times with the non-runflats.
All that being said, I will probably get run flats when these tires need to be replaced. Heard great things(here on the forum) about the Michelins. Might have to try those next time.
I believe that the car handles slightly better now with the new tires. I have had 2 flats in the last 10k miles(GSD3 tire...both times tire had to be replaced due to nail/spike through the side wall). I have the ContiComfort kit from Tire rack and it has saved me both times with the non-runflats.
All that being said, I will probably get run flats when these tires need to be replaced. Heard great things(here on the forum) about the Michelins. Might have to try those next time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
Runflats are pretty good at running flat... but that's about it. Oh, and draining your wallet 
Sensor safe tire repair kit and a cell phone for me, I'd rather have the quieter ride and better handling.
Sensor safe tire repair kit and a cell phone for me, I'd rather have the quieter ride and better handling.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I would recommend that anything stuck in the tire (especially if you are getting a low pressure warning) NOT be removed until you get to a repair facility. This applies to either type tire.
The OP said he aired the tire, so it would seem that the tire was not completely flat, until the object was pulled out. Point is: don't guess or assume the object is some minor thing because if you guess wrong, it will guarantee the tire will become completely flat. Usually in short order.
Leakage situations are by far the most common type of tire problems from foreign objects. There have been several times in the past where I was getting a low pressure indication and I just aired the tire up so I could get to a shop. Then, and only then, should the object be removed.
The OP said he aired the tire, so it would seem that the tire was not completely flat, until the object was pulled out. Point is: don't guess or assume the object is some minor thing because if you guess wrong, it will guarantee the tire will become completely flat. Usually in short order.
Leakage situations are by far the most common type of tire problems from foreign objects. There have been several times in the past where I was getting a low pressure indication and I just aired the tire up so I could get to a shop. Then, and only then, should the object be removed.