run flat tire question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
run flat tire question
During my orientation at the Museum, I am told that my new Corvette does not have a spare tire or even a jack. Run flat tires! Frankly, I didn’t know this. So here is my question:
Let say I’m in the middle of Iowa, Mechanicsville Iowa for example. I am on a country road surrounded on all sides by nothing but corn and soybeans and I get a flat. Now I understand that I can drive at a reduced speed on the run flats, but then what? I doubt that the Mechanicsville garage has a Goodyear run flat tire in stock that fits my Corvette.
Can you patch this tire?
Can you plug this tire?
I would like to hear from forum members about their experiences with a flat tire on run flats.
Let say I’m in the middle of Iowa, Mechanicsville Iowa for example. I am on a country road surrounded on all sides by nothing but corn and soybeans and I get a flat. Now I understand that I can drive at a reduced speed on the run flats, but then what? I doubt that the Mechanicsville garage has a Goodyear run flat tire in stock that fits my Corvette.
Can you patch this tire?
Can you plug this tire?
I would like to hear from forum members about their experiences with a flat tire on run flats.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by millpond
If you don't run the tire too far (Owners manual says 25 miles or less), tire can be repaired with a combination plug/patch. I ran one 80 miles, and have to replace the tire.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Repair may be a problem without a GY tire store or other competent tire repair store within an easy drives' distance.
GY does it for free, on warranty up to a point, the first year. Replacement is free also if needed.
A proper repair demands a very competent store, able to tackle runflats and not damage the rims, or pressure sensors. It requires a 'mushroom' type of plug/patch combo to ensure the speed rating of the tire is retained.
I've had 5 runflats fixed over the years and really appreciate not having to do the roadside mumb-jumbo, but instead carefully drive to a repair shop that day, or the next day. Once I had a guy come out and do a temporary plug, as I had to go 30 miles to get home. Out of 5 repairs I've had only one minor case of rim damage. And this is in a small town.
GY does it for free, on warranty up to a point, the first year. Replacement is free also if needed.
A proper repair demands a very competent store, able to tackle runflats and not damage the rims, or pressure sensors. It requires a 'mushroom' type of plug/patch combo to ensure the speed rating of the tire is retained.
I've had 5 runflats fixed over the years and really appreciate not having to do the roadside mumb-jumbo, but instead carefully drive to a repair shop that day, or the next day. Once I had a guy come out and do a temporary plug, as I had to go 30 miles to get home. Out of 5 repairs I've had only one minor case of rim damage. And this is in a small town.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by millpond
If you don't run the tire too far (Owners manual says 25 miles or less), tire can be repaired with a combination plug/patch. I ran one 80 miles, and have to replace the tire.
OTOH, I had another flat that was non-repairable. I only drove 6 miles on it, but that didn't matter since the gash in the tire was too large to repair. Goodyear replaced it. The important point is that even with severe tire damage, you aren't stuck. The car will still be driveable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle PA
Originally Posted by 6 speed Sid
Carry a plug kit and a small compressor in case you are really in the boonies. Tire Rack has a nice compact kit with it all.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 383
From: Bandon, OR
Originally Posted by shopdog
Goodyear says 150 miles. Dave Hill said the same thing. Almost anywhere in the lower 48 you should be within 150 miles of a Goodyear certified repair center. I drove nearly a full 150 miles on a flat, Goodyear was still able to repair it. 22,000 miles later, it is still on the car and doing fine.
OTOH, I had another flat that was non-repairable. I only drove 6 miles on it, but that didn't matter since the gash in the tire was too large to repair. Goodyear replaced it. The important point is that even with severe tire damage, you aren't stuck. The car will still be driveable.
OTOH, I had another flat that was non-repairable. I only drove 6 miles on it, but that didn't matter since the gash in the tire was too large to repair. Goodyear replaced it. The important point is that even with severe tire damage, you aren't stuck. The car will still be driveable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 1
From: Heaven, for the climate; Hell, for the company
Originally Posted by 6 speed Sid
Carry a plug kit and a small compressor in case you are really in the boonies. Tire Rack has a nice compact kit with it all.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by rosemaryburm
But plugging from the outside (which will chew up belt fabric/steel) will almost certainly void the GY warranty, right, "really in the boonies" notwithstanding.
