Run Flats
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 450
Likes: 4
From: Springfield PA
Run Flats
I always had doubts about run flat tires. I traded my GT500 in for my C7 order and that car has non run flats with no spare and it always made me nervous. I was out last night in my wife's BMW328i and hit a pot hole. Passenger front lost all air and the warnings came up on the screen. I continued to drive at 60 mph for about 20 miles to my house. After further inspection the side wall had a 2-3" gash, would have been a nightmare without the run flat.
My GT500 had a slime inflator in the trunk which would have done nothing for a sidewall blowout. We where not in the best area and where on a major highway, very nice to just drive on home.
Eric
My GT500 had a slime inflator in the trunk which would have done nothing for a sidewall blowout. We where not in the best area and where on a major highway, very nice to just drive on home.
Eric
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 920
Likes: 81
From: Frankfort Kentucky
I always had doubts about run flat tires. I traded my GT500 in for my C7 order and that car has non run flats with no spare and it always made me nervous. I was out last night in my wife's BMW328i and hit a pot hole. Passenger front lost all air and the warnings came up on the screen. I continued to drive at 60 mph for about 20 miles to my house. After further inspection the side wall had a 2-3" gash, would have been a nightmare without the run flat.
My GT500 had a slime inflator in the trunk which would have done nothing for a sidewall blowout. We where not in the best area and where on a major highway, very nice to just drive on home.
Eric
My GT500 had a slime inflator in the trunk which would have done nothing for a sidewall blowout. We where not in the best area and where on a major highway, very nice to just drive on home.
Eric
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Don't use slime in the Corvette tires or any vehicle that has a tire pressure monitor function as it will trash the sender and it is expensive to replace. The run flats on the C7 are better riding and performing that most. I took the run flats off our 2012 mini JCW and replaced them with the latest Michelin Pilot Sport plus series. I carry a small high quality 12 volt air compressor with me and a plug kit. That won't help in the event like you had, but it will in most cases. Mini has a 4 year service program included with their vehicles. They will send out a rollback to pick you and the vehicle up and bring it in at no charge. Still, if you are out back roads driving it is a lengthy wait. There was a huge difference in capabilities in the car when I switched tires on the mini. I was planning on switching them with the Corvette, but the dealer and others advised me that the new generation Michelin run flats are greatly improved over prior ones on the Corvettes. He was correct.
I've been driving on run flat tires since 1997. Goodyear, Michelin and Bridgestone. I have zero complaints about their handling, compared to driving on non run flat tires that I've been driving on since 1958. My C6Z06 performs great on it's run flats.
While I prefer having a spare tire in the back(especially when on a long trip in low populated areas of the country), that's not possible on the newer Corvettes.
Last edited by JoesC5; Feb 7, 2014 at 01:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 1,245
From: NYC
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
The same happened to me a few years ago. I was 80 miles from home,midnight in pouring rain, I called OnStar and was told I could drive 100 miles on a flat runflat tire at 55MPH. I got home safely and will not drive a vette without runflats.
My new saying.."Run Flats Don't Leave Home Without Them"
My new saying.."Run Flats Don't Leave Home Without Them"
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 1
From: Ridgewood NJ
I've been thankful a few times for my run flats. They've saved me from at least 3 incidents that would have forced me to flatbed the car.
Flash forward to today and now I'm paranoid about having non-runflat A/S tires on the new one car. Tire selection was very limited for an off-season tire that'll fit the Z51 wheels so I took the best available.
I bought a portable air compressor that fits into the rear cubby in case I get a puncture along with a plug kit. It should be enough to get me to a repair shop but anything more damaging than a stray nail is going to cause a problem.
Flash forward to today and now I'm paranoid about having non-runflat A/S tires on the new one car. Tire selection was very limited for an off-season tire that'll fit the Z51 wheels so I took the best available.
I bought a portable air compressor that fits into the rear cubby in case I get a puncture along with a plug kit. It should be enough to get me to a repair shop but anything more damaging than a stray nail is going to cause a problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Over 70K miles combined between a C5ZO6 and a C6 Coupe and ZERO problems with non run flats.....
(plug kit and 12V compressor carried in both)
(plug kit and 12V compressor carried in both)
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 34
From: Ravensdale WA
I will take my chances with non run flats. The better ride and quiet is worth it. I can not wait to ger them off my C6. My C5 is sooo much better without them. I have not had a flat in at least 15 years. And I drive all day in a semi.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
On my C5, I ditched the Goodyear run flats and installed Michelin A/S run flats.
On my C6 Z06 I ditched the Goodyear run flats and installed Bridgestone run flats.
I found that ditching the Goodyear's made the difference, not going from a run flat to a non run flat.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 34
From: Ravensdale WA
I took the same ones off my C5 as you put on. It can be a lot better. Not a little a lot. I hated those tires. They are loud and stiff. They also don't grip as well. I took them off at more than 50% left I hated them so much.
Last edited by duramaxsky; Feb 7, 2014 at 06:25 PM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 648
Likes: 2
From: Gulf Breeze Fl
Just replaced my Runflats at only 500 miles with Michelin A/S 3s. A world of difference. No scrubbing during tight slow speed turns, no loud tire noise on the freeway and a much better ride. Plus if I drive across country and run into snow or ice I will be much better off. I have roadside assistance right. I once had a fuel transfer pump failure on my C5 which me stranded in the mountain a 100 miles outside Sacramento. Call GM and they got to me pretty quickly.
I accept the the calculated risk.
I accept the the calculated risk.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 17,541
Likes: 2
From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
Good luck - I had a rant from a surgeon once who had a Z06 with a flat and missed a scheduled surgery - dumb-*** didn't realize the car didn't have a spare.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 920
Likes: 81
From: Frankfort Kentucky
We don't drive the Corvette much in the winter and with the interminable snow and ice this winter it sits in the garage most of the time keeping the mini company. When we replaced the fun flats on the mini with the Michelin A/S + there was a remarkable difference in handling, comfort and road noise. Most likely we will do the same with the C7 at some point.