My rear tires are worn, I would like to replace them. Can I put non-runflat tires in the rear, while running runflats in the front?

 

I'll be faced with the same situation very soon and have already decided that I will get the Goodyear GS D3s at all four corners. I can always sell the front EMTs. I'm sure most will tell you that mixing types is NOT recommended. Besides, why would you want to suffer with front EMTs, hopping all over the place while the rears are planted like glue?

 

Its not a problem. I have been running non runflats in the rear for quite a while and have not had any problems. kaley

 

I'm faced w/the opposite problem. :) My rears are newer than teh frotns (bought it that way).

of course, I suppose this spring I can do some burnouts to "even the wear, honey honest! I can't just replace the fronts!" :lol:

 

Good Point.

 

Something to remember is that the runflats have a substanially stiffer sidewall than a non-runflat. Therefore, if you are involved in any serious handling situations, the car will not handle the same as a vehicle equipped with four tires of identical sidewall stiffness at each corner. I would certainly recommend a change of all four tires, or another pair of runflats in the rear. If you want a really dramatic improvement in noise, ride, handling, traction and tread life, while still retaining a runflat capability (50 mile rather than 200 miles), do as I did and buy four Michilin Pilot Sport Zero Pressure tires. One of the best moves I ever made. Buy them at Discount Tire...great price, free balancing and free flat repair for the life of the tire. :cheers:
Ed

 

Tirerack tests results comparison: (higher numbers are better)

Goodyear GS D3s/ Michelin Runflats A/S

Handling predictability: 8.18/ 7.48

Braking modulation: 8.29/ 7.45

Steering response: 8.11/ 7.50

Cornering stability: 8.07/ 7.65

In addition, the Goodyears are every bit as good as the all-season Michelins in the rain - quite amazing considering their superior dry handling characteristics.

My advice: If you want to play it safe and at the same time sacrifice ultimate handling, go with the Michelins. However, if you want the best and the .01% chance of needing to call a flatbed some day, go for the Goodyears. The choice is yours!


[Modified by Dave68, 8:26 PM 11/30/2003]

 

I'd say there are a few more considerations.

Also from tirerack.com's custoemr survey results ( < == better ):
GS-DS3 OEM Pilot Sport A/S ZP
HANDLING RATING 8.90 7.80 8.80
DRY TRACTION 9.2 7.8 9
WET TRACTION 9.1 6.4 8.9
SNOW TRACTION N/A N/A 7.5
RIDE COMFORT 8.7 5.6 8.4
NOISE COMFORT 8.6 4.6 8
WEAR 8.3 5 8

----------------------- end customer survey numbers
Warranty rating: 3* 4* 3.5*
(honestly, I don't get the 3/3.5 difference when looking at the warranty details)
TREADWEAR RATING 280/280 300/300 400/400

Interestingly enough, the OEM fronts sport a traction rating of A as opposed to AA like the rest in the comparison. The goodyears appear to be cheaper to purchase, and come with an optional (from tr) road hazard policy.

For those of us who like to run in the mountains, or drive through more of the year; where the risk of snow is higher, the AS-ZPs are a good choice. If you'll never encounter snow, or can afford to change tires for the seasons, by all means go with a tire aimed at summer usage.

Eventually I'll be getting a set of wheels and tires for track-only use (or drive to track , track, come home and swap). But for now, for me, a tire that may compromise a little in terms of ultimate traction in exchange for pretty good all-season, "extended mobility", and general street performance, the Pilot Sports A/S-ZP are a good choice.

After all, sicne we enve exceed the posted speed by much, and certainly don't street race, we don't push our cars to the limits on the street, right? Of course there are a few turns I'm confident I coudl take at 100 w/grippy meats. :smash:

 

Maybe Im not looking in the right spot but I cant find any tire rack tests on the michelin pilot a/s runflats.The tests that I found are for the nonrunflat.Same thing with the owners survey-the same numbers are posted for the runflat and non runflat michelins,which doesnt make sense unless a posting error has occured.

 

The Michelin Runflats are listed as all-weather. You must select this category when choosing the class of tires you wish to view.

 

Ive looked under all categories at the tirerack site and there are no comparison tests or survey results (0-10 scale for different categories) specific to the michelin runflats.

 

I had this situation about 6 months ago. I ended up purchasing 2 Firestone Firehawk runflats for the front. I still have Goodyear runflats on the rear. When the rears wear out I will probably put Firehawks on rear also. The Firehawks seem quieter and ride better than the GY. Hope this helps.

 

I wouldn't mix them. In fact, considering our litigious (sp) society, I'm surprised to hear that any tire shop would mount a set of non-run flats on one axel of a car that had runflats on the other end. :eek:

 

I picked up a nail in my left rear when I had the Goodyear runflats and in the right rear after I bougtht my Michelin ZPs. Lousy luck? Absolutely! I haven't had a flat on any of my other cars for years and years. Was I damn glad I had the runflats on the Vette? You bet! I wouldn't run non-runflats. I learn quickly.
Ed

 

Try this:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...peed_rating=YR


[Modified by Dave68, 8:38 PM 12/1/2003]

 

I look at it this way. Would I want to travel at speeds in excess of 100 MPH with a plugged runflat? Heck no! I'd rather buy a new tire than risk having a runflat loose all pressure at high speeds. Therefore, if I wouldn't keep a runflat after a nail hole incident, why not have superior tires to begin with? I guess when I'm 20 years older than I am now, I may think differently, but I bought this car to enjoy and having the best handling and quietest tires is a combination that I just can't pass up. :cheers:

 

Just because you have EMTs does not mean you have to keep them when you blow one out. You can get road hazard replacement on them too. Most road hazard plans will only replace the tire if the tire jockey determines it can not be safely repaired, runflat or no. ;)

At least with the runflat you can "shop around" when your tire goes, as opposed to mostly being stuck with either paying for a flatbed transport (likely not covered again), or going with what the tire shop you had to go to has or will get for you w/o bending you over.

 

Well that's easy. I'd just either plug & fill my non-runflat or have it towed to my house (covered by car insurance). I would then use either of my other two cars while the Tirerack ships me the replacement - simple!

 

This statement doesn't make a whole lot of sense. :crazy: A Goodyear or Michelin runflat retains it's speed rating with one proper plug. Two or more proper plugs and the speed rating begins to drop. To take it a step further...would I rather have a runflat on the car if I picked up a nail at high speeds? Yep...:yesnod:
Ed

 

I just did this.....GS-D3's in the rear. It seems fine to me. I can't see replaceing the front when there is another year left in them. Too much money man.
:seeya