Run Flats or Not
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Northridge CA
Run Flats or Not
Hey guys, I am conflicted. . . . I have been told that non run flat tires deliver a better ride. Is this true?
If so should I be at all worried about actually getting a flat on a non run flat tire? After all isn't that what I pay Automobile Club for?
Then there are those memories of when I have had a pretty good "blow out" or blown the entire tire off the rim, (of course I am talking about other vehicles, not my Vette), I cringe to think what would happen with a tangled tire/ sidewall and fender on a fiberglass body!
Thanks for your feedback!
If so should I be at all worried about actually getting a flat on a non run flat tire? After all isn't that what I pay Automobile Club for?
Then there are those memories of when I have had a pretty good "blow out" or blown the entire tire off the rim, (of course I am talking about other vehicles, not my Vette), I cringe to think what would happen with a tangled tire/ sidewall and fender on a fiberglass body!
Thanks for your feedback!
Last edited by rick4grafx; Dec 12, 2010 at 11:14 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Well, your going to get ALL sorts of comments on this one. Heres MY thoughts and experiences. There are some great handling run flat tires out there. They have extra ridged side walls so, theres some compromise to ride and performance. How much is hard to document without special equipment.
I have never had a OEM run flat go bad but, the were noisy and harsh. Ditched them as soon as they wore out.
The C5 ZO6 does NOT come with run flats from the factory. Heres what happens when it goes BAD!
Had to get a new tire. I had pressure sensors installed and my wife knew instantly that the tire was flat. No damage other than the tire. She was doing 70 on I 287 in NY. She said the car didn't even become unstable. Had to have the car flat bedded to the nearest Goodyear dealer.
I now have TOYO Proxies T1Rs on my 02 Z and my 06 Coupe and love them. I have a plug kit and pump.
BC
I have never had a OEM run flat go bad but, the were noisy and harsh. Ditched them as soon as they wore out.
The C5 ZO6 does NOT come with run flats from the factory. Heres what happens when it goes BAD!
Had to get a new tire. I had pressure sensors installed and my wife knew instantly that the tire was flat. No damage other than the tire. She was doing 70 on I 287 in NY. She said the car didn't even become unstable. Had to have the car flat bedded to the nearest Goodyear dealer.
I now have TOYO Proxies T1Rs on my 02 Z and my 06 Coupe and love them. I have a plug kit and pump.
BC
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
For 150+mph stability/safety the OEM runflats are definitely the best tire ever made for the C5, even better than the c5z06 tire, for those speeds best thing to have is the stiffest possible tire. But below 120mph there are several good (even better) tires, the Michelin PS2 (ZP) is also an excellent tire, hard to feel the difference between the ZP or the regular version
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 179
Likes: 4
From: Little Compton, RI
I just did a post on this in C5 General and had a lot of weigh in
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ts-or-not.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ts-or-not.html
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
For what it's worth, I got about 25k miles out of my original Goodyear runflats. When it came time to retire I priced Eagles in runflat and non and discovered the non-runflats were less expensive. I had also heard the non-runflats have a better ride on the C5 so decided to go that way.
After driving the car off the rack and getting it up to freeway speed I noticed the cabin noise was definitely quieter. Missing was that annoying road whine. Today, 25k miles later I've noticed the non-runflats have a LOT more tread left on them too! Maybe I drive the car a bit less aggressively than when it was new, who knows... I've picked up a couple of nails on them and have been lucky to discover the slow leak before I got stranded. Overall a decision I'm happy with although I still think all Goodyear Eagles are overpriced.
Crate
After driving the car off the rack and getting it up to freeway speed I noticed the cabin noise was definitely quieter. Missing was that annoying road whine. Today, 25k miles later I've noticed the non-runflats have a LOT more tread left on them too! Maybe I drive the car a bit less aggressively than when it was new, who knows... I've picked up a couple of nails on them and have been lucky to discover the slow leak before I got stranded. Overall a decision I'm happy with although I still think all Goodyear Eagles are overpriced.
Crate
Last edited by Cratecruncher; Dec 13, 2010 at 02:53 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
I think just about everyone here agrees the NRF tires ride better, handle better, are quieter, last longer, and cost a bunch less.
So, the major downside is the outside chance of getting a flat in an inconvenient situation.
I haven't had a flat on the road in over 40 years, I carry a full repair/pump kit and a cell phone and a toll service phone number. I check my pressures constantly and look for nails at every fillup or more often. I love my Bridgstone NRF tires, and won't go back.
But, one night on the way to dinner, in nice clothes, in a not-so-great neighborhood, the flat warning came on. I totally panicked when I realized I could not continue without major hassle and dirty clothes/hands, and would miss dinner. Luckily it was just a sensor going out, but it gives one pause when you think it's actually happening.
So, the decision is yours.
DG
So, the major downside is the outside chance of getting a flat in an inconvenient situation.
I haven't had a flat on the road in over 40 years, I carry a full repair/pump kit and a cell phone and a toll service phone number. I check my pressures constantly and look for nails at every fillup or more often. I love my Bridgstone NRF tires, and won't go back.
But, one night on the way to dinner, in nice clothes, in a not-so-great neighborhood, the flat warning came on. I totally panicked when I realized I could not continue without major hassle and dirty clothes/hands, and would miss dinner. Luckily it was just a sensor going out, but it gives one pause when you think it's actually happening.
So, the decision is yours.
DG
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Huntley Illinois
Hey guys, I am conflicted. . . . I have been told that non run flat tires deliver a better ride. Is this true?
If so should I be at all worried about actually getting a flat on a non run flat tire? After all isn't that what I pay Automobile Club for?
Then there are those memories of when I have had a pretty good "blow out" or blown the entire tire off the rim, (of course I am talking about other vehicles, not my Vette), I cringe to think what would happen with a tangled tire/ sidewall and fender on a fiberglass body!
Thanks for your feedback!
If so should I be at all worried about actually getting a flat on a non run flat tire? After all isn't that what I pay Automobile Club for?
Then there are those memories of when I have had a pretty good "blow out" or blown the entire tire off the rim, (of course I am talking about other vehicles, not my Vette), I cringe to think what would happen with a tangled tire/ sidewall and fender on a fiberglass body!
Thanks for your feedback!
