We see a lot of posts about tires. Some refer to "run craps" etc. Other say they don't worry about getting a flat. So here's my question. How many have in fact had a flat tire? For myself, it was late at night. I left my office and went to the parking garage, started up the beast and the DIC said "flat right rear". (I might add that a flat bed tow truck would not have fit into the parking garage I am in.) I drove home without a problem. In fact I felt no difference in handling. Next day went to FS dealer who repaired the tire. Large nail in center of tread. It was under warranty and no charge. No, I will not buy non-run flat tires.

 

If I want to race it, I'll buy special tires/wheels for racing. If I want to push it to the limit on public roads...then I should be racing it, at which point I'd buy special tires/wheels for racing.

I'm just not that good of a driver to tell the difference on public roads. I'm staying with RF's, and in fact will be going with the Firestone's when the time comes.

 

FWIW, I do three or so HPDEs per year and visit the local drags a couple times per summer. Would specialty tires improve my performance? Of course. However, the run flats do pretty well. Also, I now use the Firestone Wide Ovals and like them a lot. Significantly quieter than the GY and a a lot cheaper.

 

First, if you drive a runflat with no air pressure and you can't tell you're running on a flat tire then you must normally drive like a little old lady. If you had non-runflats and carried a small air compressor you could have pumped up the tire and driven home or where ever to get it fixed. Your story doesn't convince me I need them.

 

 

I am not trying to make any judgments or say what you should do. Only at 10:30 on a rainy night in a suit, I guess I was glad I did not have to fix this thing myself. As to my driving habits, "old lady"... yup that's me. (Although I did hit 125 mph on the back straight at Autobahn track in Joliet Illinois two weeks ago.) I should also note that it was a rear tire that was flat. As such, I would not expect any material change in handling. And, per manufacturer's instructions, I drove home not in excess of about 60-65 mph.

 

I like runflats for the simple reason or circumstance you encountered, to me they are well worth the security. They certainly meet my street driving needs.

 

After all these years of driving, I wasn't too keen on not having a spare tire, but, I've learned to get over it. In fact, I like the run flats. I've had one slow leak in the left rear because of a nail, which, GoodYear fixed, no charge. I do carry a 12 volt air compressor, now, just in case. I put my vote in for them.

 

 

I have had at least one really bad flat with Firestone Firehawks back in the early 2000s (forerunner of the current wide oval). While not really run flats the side walls are incredibly stiff. They often have trouble mounting them because they are so stiff.

Anyway I was turning a corner and unknown to me the curb had been broken out and a piece of rebar jammed the sidewall putting a tire ruining gash in it and immediately deflating the tire.

I did not even notice it, and proceeded to get on a freeway and drive 8 to 10 miles. I thought that something was not quite right in the way the car handled but nothing I could put my finger on and the traffic was so bad I was not going to get off to check.

When I did get off and find a place to stop, I saw the damage. I was only a couple more miles from Discount Tire and drove straight to them to get new tire. Because of the gash the tire was unrepairable just like about half the punctures of the run flats will be but the damage to the side wall by the rim was minimal!

When still the sidewalls supported the weight of the car without the rims riding on the sidewalls but apparently when you drive it will not take all the jostling without touching because there was line of chaffing from the rim. The tire guy said that he would not have condemned it for that but for the gash.

I am not saying that this would be the experience with all non fun flat performance tires but I would not be afraid to drive for a while with a flat. I do carry a small 12V compressor but that would not have helped in this case.

But on the other two flats, it would because they were slow leaks (one screw and one nail) and periodic airing would have kept me going for a good while. Now-a-days, with TPS you can even monitor the air pressure in the car and see when it is time to stop and re-pressure.

I am running run flats now because they came on the car and will probably run Firestone Wide Oval run flats if I changed today but I would not be too concerned to run non run flats. Besides the 12V compressor, I carry a plug kit and a small scissor jack and Gorilla tire tool so if needed I can pull the tire, patch it more or less permanently and air it up. If it damaged beyond repair, I think I can drive a good ways to a better place to stop and call a tow truck. I can't ruin the tire anymore; I just need to not damage the rim.

 

I have had two flat tires in my C5 in 70,000+ miles, none in my C6 at 18,000 miles. RFs are noisy but give security. Plenty of grip for the kind street driving I do.

 

Everyone should carry a small air compressor even with runflats. While a runflat can take running with no pressure at slower speeds for short distances, it's not good for the tire. If the tire will hold air you should blow it up and the tire will appreciate it and you won't have to worry about squirrelly handling.

 

one 3 1/2 inch wood screw later and GYRF have proven their worth to me. got me home and to the GY dealer the next day without a problem. expensive, but to me, worth the peace of mind.

 

Haven't had a "flat" in the Vette, but I did find low pressure one morning (in an oem runflat)...turned out to be a screw. Took ~15mins to plug and re-inflate.

This is my 3rd car without a spare. 1st one I had a very similar experience to the above...slow leak fixed with a plug. 2nd one, I don't think I ever had a tire issue.

Just put Kumho Ecsta SPT's on...will carry the plug kit, pliers, and compressor...we'll see what happens

 

I carry a small air compressor in the rear compartment.
it's the smart thing to do!!

 

I hope Wolfdogs doesn't see this thread...he won't like the talk of "plugs"...but what does a tire safety engineer know anyway????

 

I have a screw in my front tire and I the tire pressure was low one morning. I have been filling with my compressor because I am getting new tires this Friday.

I would only put runflats in my car because of the severe cold here and I drive my car all year round. I think I will keep the compressor in my car permanently because if the tire can even hold air for a few hours it can save your tire.

 

I don't doubt there are more effective and reliable methods, but plugs are cheap, easy, fast...and, in my experience, effective

there are tradeoffs with everything in life...I'm fine with taking the risk associated with non-runflats and plugs in return for the money and time saved

 

I also carry a small portable air compressor and tire plug kit which I used 500 miles away from home on vacation. Nice to have a piece of mind.

BTW: If I wasn't going to replace my tires in a few thousand miles, I would of eventually had a plug/patch combo repair done.

 

This is what I carry for everyday (Nitto Invos) http://www.motosport.com/dirtbike/pr...segment=badger and a mushroom tire plugger http://www.stopngo.com/products/vide...etplugger.html

I have used CO2 inflators on my bicycle and they do work - probably need several cartridges - I would have the tire "air" completely exchanged several times after using since CO2 + H2O will make carbonic acid.

You can fit this alternative in the palm of your hand but I have a Slime heavy duty compressor + Plugs + slime kit for extended trips.

I was thinking, I have never in over 20 years had to change a tire - just pumped up a few that went flat overnight or were slack and drove to tire store. Never checked the pressure in the spare either so it would have been useless if I needed it. Did have a flat in wife's Volvo on the Interstate (she didn't keep up with pressure before but now she does) Called AAA and they sent a flatbed. AAA was very specific and instructed us that under no circumstances should you change a tire beside the interstate since the wind from a passing truck has blown cars off the jacks and injured or killed people. Had to fight of the "good Samaritans" (they were looking to make a buck for the most part but there were a few well meaning souls) stopping to help before AAA got there - can you imagine the lawsuits that would have ensued if one of them had been injured?