So many of you prefer to replace the run-flats with regular tires. Do you carry a spare?
:confused:

 

There is no place to mount a spare conveniently. I bought a 12volt tire pump with tire slime in a carry case for $12.00 at Pep Boys. The difference in tire noise, ride comfort and handling are worth it.

 

Well let me ask you these questions:

Do you carry a spare battery?

How about a spare alternator?

Belts, hoses, etc, etc, etc.

Are there any negatives to carrying around all or any of this stuff?

Now you know why many of us prefer non runflats - less weight, better handling, much better ride!

 

I was almost with you but ...
If your belt flies off out on the road somewhere, what do you wind up needing to do? If your alternator stops ... well unless it's a long trip you probably won't have a dead battery for a day or two, maybe longer.

Hoses burst, batteries die, and none of them have a counterpart to a runflat. When they are busted they are busted. call the flatbed.

I could, however, conceive of a battery that had a spare set of cells holding enough charge to start the car in the event the radio was on too long.

On the other hand ... if an item is in the road and causes your alternator/battery/hoses to fail, you've got bigger problems. ;) Joe Schmoe tossed some nails on the road and now your tires are a target.

And actually, I used to carry spare belts, and have been known to carry a spare hose. Many trucks do have a backup battery. But I carried those on less-reliable cars.

No, we don't carry spares of everything, or else we'd all work for NASA. :smash:

But that is not an excuse for proving backup systems where feasible. :D

That's a key difference, to me. Taking runflats out of the equation, and using today's technology, no mattter how fast/responsive/well-engineered the car is, the tires are usually hosed by road objects too small to see and avoid. Like nails. :mad

If you lived in an area where road debris such as nails were commonplace, and thus flats were not a rare event, would you carry a spare or run runflats, or otherwise be prepared for it? I would. If I were trekking out over rough hostile terrain I'd carry spare parts .. and tools.

So I say it depend son your environment, purposes, and situation. For me and my usage (yeah get a flat in the hills where the closest phone is your cell phone but it won't be in range unless you walk for 40+ miles), runflats are a wise investment,. Not that I have to run stocks though. the Pilot A/S ZeroPressure are suprisingly close to the GS-D3s, and given the tradeoffs there, I'll be all over that when I need new tires. :yesnod: Sometimes the negatives are outweighed by the positives. Sometimes they are not.

Although right now at home I've got:
* spare key
* "spare" air filter and housing
* "sapre" swayboars
:lol:

 

Many people seem to think the choice is runflat or good ride and handling. That's not true. I just replaced the OE tires with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Zero Pressure tires. The car rides and handles and steers like it would with non-runflats.

 

Tire noise with runflats either oem or aftermarket seems to be considerably noisier than nonrunflats.Ive seen people comment that the firestone/michelin runflats range from approx 30%quieter to much quieter than the oem goodyears.Since there is no consensus on the degree of noise reduction and Im not in a position to hear firsthand,Im going non runflat next spring.

 

I'm sure that you already know this...but, using that tire slime will be an expenisve mistake. The pressure sensors don't like to be slimed. However, it will get you home in an emergency.

 

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.

No one will say that the Michelins are similar to the Goodyear EMTs, but by the same token, no one will choose the Michelin runflats over the GS D3s for ultimate handling and ride. Runflats are a good idea but in order for them to be able to run with zero pressure, their sidewalls MUST be stiff enough to support the tire for many miles. Basic physics (and Tireracks extensive testing) tell me that there are still sacrifices made when choosing any runflat tire.

Here's another good analogy for everyone: If you ask many of the female drivers of giant, 5000-lb SUVs, "hauling" around one or two children why they have such a gas guzzler. Their reply? "I feel much safer with a large vehicle."

You go on to explain that she can have a much better ride with more room and better gas milage, not to mention better handling in a minivan or luxury sedan (without the "more room" part) but she won't budge from her firm belief that she would rather put up with the truckish ride and tipover danger than drive a lighter, more agile vehicle.

Runflats are similar in that they are potentially time-savers, along with heavier, harsher, and more prone to bump-hopping around curves.

What do you value more?

 

...maybe compared to old-technology non runflats, but not the new GS D3s (see post comparing the two above this one.)

 

:iagree:

 

No spare, just a compressor and plug kit. I do need to get a small jack but that can wait until Spring. Took the non-runflats off for the winter and put the Firestone Firehawks back on.

 

GS-D3 and the WalMart tire kit. The EMT's are rocks.

 

:iagree: