Note: this was posted in the Tire/Wheel section and there were no replies in three days. Therefore, I decided to post this same question over here.

I have been sitting here for the past few days, :banghead: trying to reason why I require run flats on my Vette. Run flats seem to offer only one feature that is worthwhile, and that is the ability to drive 50-200 miles with zero-pressure in the tire (mileage varies with tire manufacturer). However, there seems to be overwhelming reasons not to purchase a run flat, and these are:

Not that many places that will dismount or mount a run flat, either due to archaic equipment or non-knowledgeable operators of said equipment. (Called 12 places in and around Nashville and found only few places that would mess with run-flats. Out of those that would, one charged a hefty premium to repair a run flat tire.)

You can carry a 12-volt compressor, a good set of reliable plugs (I do mean reliable), and even a small scissor jack, and plug your own tires on the side of the road, if you should pick up a nail. (Gloves, and a heavy duty paper coverall to wear is optional, but not a bad idea.)

I have not had a normal flat in over 10 years. (Normal defined as a flat caused by a sharp object that penetrates the tire in the tread area. I have had a few destroyed tires caused by giant potholes when living in MI, and I am not sure if a run-flat would have lived through these potholes anyway; sidewalls were split). In addition, please do not mention Murphy’s Law; :nono: I understand the implications of Murphy Law, and fully expect to get at least one flat in a set of non-run flats if I decide to purchase a set. :yesnod:

Good quality new tires are not likely to “blow-out,” but are more likely to pick up a nail and slowly lose pressure. Keeping the air pressure sensors, and checking the air pressure daily (as I already do), would give an indication that you have picked up a nail. At which point you can add some air and go to the nearest tire store, or if in the middle of nowhere, plug your own and continue on your trip. (Those people you see on the side of the road with blowouts usually have driven the tire with low-pressure, in high ambient temperatures, causing the tire to flex beyond design specifications, creating too much heat, and boom goes the tire. The others on the side of the road were driving on tires where you could see the air inside as easily as the air outside…better known as bald tires…and they should not have been allowed to drive on them in the first place.)

If you need to plug your tire in the middle of nowhere, you can plug your own tire, then you will have a better chance of finding a place to dismount a non-run flat and patch/plug the tire, versus having a run flat correctly repaired.

Better ride, no more bouncing over raised expansion joints, better cornering, and no hydroplaning (considering the new Goodyear F1). (Raised expansion joints are really not a problem in TN, but if I travel to MI to visit, they become a large problem.)

Less expensive.

Reasons for run flats:
If you pick up a nail, you can continue to drive until you find a place that will work on a non-run flat tire.

Is my reasoning correct, :crazy: or am I full of crap? :bs


[Modified by WhiteC5Vette, 5:43 PM 8/4/2003]

Decision made, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s ordered and will be installed by Aug. 16, 2003.


[Modified by WhiteC5Vette, 7:41 PM 8/12/2003]

 

I'd say you hit the nail on the head.

Ditch the runflats, you'll be very happy.
About the F1's though (assuming you mean the OEM Z06 F1 supercar tire) I seem to recall they actually have a poor reputation for hydroplaning and wet performace. The GS-D3's would be the tire to look into if you want to stay with Goodyear.

:cheers:

 

I'll chat with you on this issue. Mercedes Benz commissioned a study on flat tires and found that you get one every 100,000 miles whether you like it or not. Most people today don't even know how to change a tire even if they had to. Unless you travel a lot in rural areas, I say you don't need the convenience of Run Flats. Mercedes Benz does not provide a spare tire in their SLK in Europe. You get additional storage box with a door that opens to a can of Air/Fix-a-flat type stuff plus an air compressor that plugs right into your cigarette lighter. That's how I have our SLK and Corvette set up. I carry an all-in-one tool, plug kit, and First Aid Kit. In this day and age, you can call AAA for roadside service if the tire is so bent out of shape you can't fix it. In the Mercedes, I can call 1-800-4 Mercedes and they will come and fix my flat. So who needs Run Flats? In my wife's Suzuki, she's instructed to put both cans of Fix-a-Flat in the tire and drive to the nearest tire store or call AAA if I can’t be reached.

My biggest reason to just pump it up and go is that it is unsafe to spend a lot of time fixing a flat by the side of the road with cars whizzing by at supersonic speeds. Even with Run Flats, I carry an air compressor, plug kit, and 2 X 2 patch if the puncture is on the side of the tire. Nail flats are not a problem but hitting something in the road can damage the side of the tire requiring road service. So I say call somebody.

No, I don't think I will put another set of run flats on our Vette. I would look very close at Kumho, Yokohama, and Bridgestone for my next set of tires. You are right about the ride on run flats, it is awful.

I say get a good set of tire and enjoy the ride!


:cheers:

 

Stop wringing your hands over the decision and buy some good tires! :lol: :jester

I got rid of my run flats and replaced them with Bridgestone SO3s. Quieter and better wet traction. I've got an air pump and plug kit. But anytime somebody asks me what I'm going to do if I have a flat, I just say: "I've got a cell phone and a AAA card!"

:cheers:

 

Thanks, and yes, I am seriously considering the G3-D3 Goodyears; not the F1's that are standard on the ZO6 Vettes.

 

A funny side note about the Z06 Supercar tires. About a week ago, I was driving down a four lane highway and saw a yellow C5 sitting in a gas station on the other side of the road. I did a u-turn, and went to see why they were sitting. The C5 was a '02 Z06 with the Supercar tires of course. I asked them what was wrong, why were they sitting there. Answer, they were concerned about hydroplaning!!! I have Continental ContiExtremeContact's on mine. True, I've given up some performance by going with a W rated tire, but I've liked them so far. I will definitely think about the D-3's or maybe even Kuhmo's next time just to possibly try something different. But, it's hard to beat $570 for a set of tires delivered!!! :cheers:

 

You are pretty much right on with your post. However, I still have a set of runflats that I use in the winter just in case I get a flat and it is zero outside.

 

Dito..I got a set of B.F Goodrich G-Force T/A kdw on my C5..they ride smother then runflats..the 12 volt air compessor is a great idea along with the other items mentioned. I blieve it's gimick..so keep on Vetting :auto:

 

I'm getting ready to get a new set before the rains start in winter and have the same considerations. The problem I have is that I've had two flats on the C5 in three years and one of them was a nail in the sidewall. When I recall some of the neighborhoods I drive through, the winding roads without any turn-outs, dark and rainy nights, cars zipping by three feet away, often being in a hurry...I just remember how nice it was to drive the car until I had time to change the tire. I don't have AAA (I've heard that it sometimes takes way too long to get some assistance) but I do have a cell phone. Unfortunately, it doesn't work everywhere...so there you have it. The non-runflats are so tempting due to price and ride quality but I still haven't decided.

 

Yes, windy roads and rain are a problem I have thought about; especially living and driving in TN. At least my cell phone works everywhere, it may roam to analog, but for an emergency it's worth the price of a call.
I have my road service via my insurance company so I can call any tow truck, pay the fee, and submit to TN Farm Bureau for reimbursement.
As for bad neighborhoods, I always have twenty-one close friends with me to help in situations that might arise in bad neighborhoods. :jester
Think I'll go ahead and order a set of the Goodyear F1 D3-G3s in about two weeks.
(Locally they want a fortune for these tires, two Goodyear stores quoted me $1250.00, mounted and balanced, another Goodyear store told me it was illegal not to use run flats, and it would also void my warranty. Can't print here what I told him as I slammed the phone in his ear. Gateway tire will mount and balance each tire for $20.00, and with shipping from Tire Rack a complete set will cost $960.06.)

 

I came to the same conclusion as you. I went with the Kumho MX tires and love them. As the runflats got older, I was actually avoiding driving my Vette on long trips because of the noise and jarring ride.

I'll take the risk of the odd-chance catostrophic flat in exchange for a smooth, quiet, grippy wet & dry set of tires at 1/2 the cost every day!

 

02 vette here -switched from Runflats to F1's - it definately is more quite and a "dfferent ride" - I will not go back to runflats - even if I have a few flats - I don't plan on changing the tire myself - thats what the autoclub is for!
:D :D :D

 

I agree with SDVette, I love the MX's, what a great change it was. Also remember, with run flats, you may run into shop's that won't touch them also. I did. :yesnod:

 

:iagree:

 

It's kind of like paying for collision and comprehensive insurance. It stinks...

But if you decide not to have it you can't bitch when you need it.

Your flat will ocurr late one evening out in the boonies, maybe with a sweet one riding shotgun. Murphy will see to that.

Like the man said "do you feel lucky?"

 

The "sweet one" can change the tire, while I hold the flashlight, and if that occurs, I won't get lucky. :lolg:

 

:lol: the biggest benefit to me right now is price. That will most likley be the deciding factor on my next set. If i can get a set of firestone EMT's close to the same price as non-runflats plus AA fees and a pump kit then I will stick with runflats, if not I might roll the dice as well... also would love a smoother ride :yesnod:

 

Did C4s have spare tires, or run flats? ZO6 Vettes have no run flats. How often do these get flats? Life is a gamble, so I'm just adding another factor to gamble on, and I feel safe...

 

C4's...Non run-flats with spares that a good many would remove
for weight savings.

I wonder what the first vehicle that came with EMT's was...? :crazy:

 

My '94 vert had runflats and no spare.