are non-run flats a good idea?
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Instructor
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From: alexandria nh
are non-run flats a good idea?
I discussed this with a knowledgeable mechanic and he said to stay away from non-run flats because without the strengthened side wall of a run flat you will quickly damage the rims and of course there is no spare so you must pull over and stop and wait to be towed-hopefully to a near by tire store. Your thoughts on this please. Thanx
:smash: :smash:
:smash: :smash:
Team Owner
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From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Vette Virgin)
My Non runflats go on Wed. A plug kit and lighter operated compressor will go in the back. Should I get a flat I will stop and repair it. Got a flat on my run craps at a very high rate of speed. While I wait for delivery of my new tires I PLUGGED my run flat. Had no choice as it was no longer a run flat. Had to drive over a hundred miles on it and apparently I damaged the side wall. No choice but to plug until the swap. Get the tire that you feel is right for you. :cheers:
Bob
Bob
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From: Norristown PA
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Vette Virgin)
Be aware that the Z06 is not equipped with run flats. I replaced my run flats with Pilot Sport A/S tires. Made up a kit including a lug wrench, 12 volt air compressor, low profile scissors jack and plug kit. I feel less secure but the car drives so much better. It's much queiter, tracks better, rides better and is just far more comfortable to drive. I'm not sorry I made the change. I understand that the Firestone run flats are pretty decent but have no personal experience with them. I would definately not run Goodyear run flats again. :nono:
[Modified by GRAYVETTE, 11:12 PM 6/28/2002]
[Modified by GRAYVETTE, 11:12 PM 6/28/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
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From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Jerryk)
It depends on what you are willing to trade. As expressed above, the non-runflats will provide better traction, less noise, etc. but you will have to have the car towed or repair the tire with a kit you carry. I've had two flats in the last 6 months and therefore believe in the runflats. On the first one (Goodyear's), I pulled over, saw the screw in the sidewall, and continued to drive to several tire shops, went out to dinner that night, drove to a tire shop the next day and got it fixed. They become more valuable as the driving environment decreases...for instance if you have a flat in a bad neighborhood, at night, on a winding road without many places to pull over, etc.
I can see both sides of the story and both have benefits and detriments. But for my lifestyle and driving needs, I got the Firestones and am happy with them. What do you want...less risk and less comfort or more risk and more comfort?
Good luck in your choice.
I can see both sides of the story and both have benefits and detriments. But for my lifestyle and driving needs, I got the Firestones and am happy with them. What do you want...less risk and less comfort or more risk and more comfort?
Good luck in your choice.
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Instructor
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From: alexandria nh
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (FunDriver)
Yeah, I agree with you. These rims ain't chicken feed to replace and I now think that run flats "protect "them so to speak during tire failure. I also can just picture some 18 yr old at some shop working on my tires - trying to
get me going again in east overshoe.It isn't going to happen.Is it?
Tom :yesnod: :yesnod:
get me going again in east overshoe.It isn't going to happen.Is it?
Tom :yesnod: :yesnod:
Race Director
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From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Vette Virgin)
We drive in the mountains just about every weekend. Pulling over to fix a flat is not an option, so run-flats is the only way for us. However, we replaced the GY with Yokohamas. Traction is awesome!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,793
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From: carmel Indiana usa
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Sully C5)
Are non-run flats a good idea?...YES! :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
I'm never going back....all reasons have been accurately stated in the above post....The guy that gave you that advice is a :troll
The difference in performance is worth the switch, period.
David In Indy :seeya
----------------
2000 NBM M6-Coupe
All Options minus F45
Euros/Lloyd Mats/Chrome Shifter/Ripper/Halltech tric/T-bypass/Taylor
Wires/TTS Headers/High Flow Cats/X-pipe/Indy Corsas/Baers/Z06
Calipers/Russell ss brake lines/Hawk Pads/Yokohama Avs Sports/Porsche DOT4 Hi-Performance Brake fluid/Redline oils/Zaino/Engine Dress by Auto Buffs and Design Specialties
I'm never going back....all reasons have been accurately stated in the above post....The guy that gave you that advice is a :troll
The difference in performance is worth the switch, period.
David In Indy :seeya
----------------
2000 NBM M6-Coupe
All Options minus F45
Euros/Lloyd Mats/Chrome Shifter/Ripper/Halltech tric/T-bypass/Taylor
Wires/TTS Headers/High Flow Cats/X-pipe/Indy Corsas/Baers/Z06
Calipers/Russell ss brake lines/Hawk Pads/Yokohama Avs Sports/Porsche DOT4 Hi-Performance Brake fluid/Redline oils/Zaino/Engine Dress by Auto Buffs and Design Specialties
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
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Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (ledfoot)
What sort of "knowledgeable" mechanic is this????
I guess that according to him, every car on the road that DOESN'T use Run flats is much more susceptible to bent rims than those with runflats?!?!?!
That is ridiculous. Most cars have normal sidewalls and run just fine.
Don't forget that the non-run-flats are lighter(and it's UNSPRUNG WEIGHT), which means
1. smoother ride
2. better braking/accelerating/handling overall
Yeah, ok, you give up the convenience of being able to continue driving when 1 - you're in a bad neighborhood
2. driving through the mountains (huh?? sorry but I don't get it)
3. Godzilla is about to step on your car and you have a flat, and you have to get out and fix it and.........and.........and...........
I personally have no problem carrying the Z06 spare tire kit.
I haven't had a flat in about 5 years, so maybe I'm cheating death, but I don't think so.
I guess that according to him, every car on the road that DOESN'T use Run flats is much more susceptible to bent rims than those with runflats?!?!?!
That is ridiculous. Most cars have normal sidewalls and run just fine.
Don't forget that the non-run-flats are lighter(and it's UNSPRUNG WEIGHT), which means
1. smoother ride
2. better braking/accelerating/handling overall
Yeah, ok, you give up the convenience of being able to continue driving when 1 - you're in a bad neighborhood
2. driving through the mountains (huh?? sorry but I don't get it)
3. Godzilla is about to step on your car and you have a flat, and you have to get out and fix it and.........and.........and...........
I personally have no problem carrying the Z06 spare tire kit.
I haven't had a flat in about 5 years, so maybe I'm cheating death, but I don't think so.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: alexandria nh
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (DucaT)
The problem isn't when tire is inflated-it's when it's flat and you have to drive on it with a very small side wall that isn't reinforced to get to side of road or to nearest station,etc.. I agree with him but hey to each his own.
Regards, Tom :cheers:
Regards, Tom :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,514
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From: Woodland Wa
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Vette Virgin)
This tire debate comes up daily and all the non run flat gang only talk around the issues. Yes we know EMT tires do not handle, make noise and ride ruff when compared to non EMT tires, and YES, we all know you love your new tires....
I will put the questions another way.
Have any of you that do not use EMT tires had a flat while at speed in your car? and what did you do? Was the flat tire damaged beyond repair? What kind of Jack fits under your C5 with a flat tire? I would also like to ask if you guys without spares or EMT's ever drive out of town..
I will put the questions another way.
Have any of you that do not use EMT tires had a flat while at speed in your car? and what did you do? Was the flat tire damaged beyond repair? What kind of Jack fits under your C5 with a flat tire? I would also like to ask if you guys without spares or EMT's ever drive out of town..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: alexandria nh
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Sixguns)
Sixguns, that's a great question!. And it makes my point(mechanics) that it would not be long before damage would occur to those very exspensive rims.
The tire changing conjurs up a whole new set of problems. Tom :smash: :cheers:
The tire changing conjurs up a whole new set of problems. Tom :smash: :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Clemmons NC
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Vette Virgin)
I think this topic is as controversal as the Borla vs. Corsa question. Probably boils down to an individual question. For me, real world driving involves road hazards. I picked the Firestone Firehawk run-flats and have been very pleased with the ride, noise and handling issues. I like the security of the run -flat, but it is very much an individual choice.........
:seeya
:seeya
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,300
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From: Houston Texas
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Tx99FRC)
This issue depends on the level of risk your willing to accept along with the type of driving you do. For me, I put non-runflats on my coupe and my Z already came with them. Its worth the risk to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: carmel Indiana usa
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Vette Virgin)
I discussed this with a knowledgeable mechanic and he said to stay away from non-run flats because without the strengthened side wall of a run flat you will quickly damage the rims and of course there is no spare so you must pull over and stop and wait to be towed-hopefully to a near by tire store. Your thoughts on this please. Thanx
:smash: :smash:
:smash: :smash:
I'm getting the impression that this is a bunch of armchair quarterbacking because this mechanic of yours sounds like an idiot.
Most of us have been Vette lovers our whole lives and when you finally get one, trust me, you'll know more about that car than any other car on the planet earth.
and that includes all the BEST aftermarket parts.
Best regards,
David In Indy :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Northern Ca
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (Sixguns)
Have any of you that do not use EMT tires had a flat while at speed in your car? and what did you do? Was the flat tire damaged beyond repair? What kind of Jack fits under your C5 with a flat tire? I would also like to ask if you guys without spares or EMT's ever drive out of town..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
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From: Swansea IL
Re: are non-run flats a good idea? (teeceemv)
Since my car is a:
A: daily driver
B: I don't street race
C: Hearing shot after installing the Corsa Indy's
I need the EMT's now if mine wasn't a daily driver, I street raced (to find what ever increased grip there is over the EMT's) and I had the stock exhaust I'd consider a non EMT.
Depends on what is important to you. Getting to work or attacking an on ramp at some insane speed?
Tom
USAF Retired
A: daily driver
B: I don't street race
C: Hearing shot after installing the Corsa Indy's
I need the EMT's now if mine wasn't a daily driver, I street raced (to find what ever increased grip there is over the EMT's) and I had the stock exhaust I'd consider a non EMT.
Depends on what is important to you. Getting to work or attacking an on ramp at some insane speed?
Tom
USAF Retired