Obviously, you can keep driving if you're willing to run the risk of ruining the tire. I went ~30 miles on a C6 runflat with a sidewall cut I knew couldn't be repaired, so didn't worry about it. But the inside of that tire was beginning to crumble and would have needed replacement regardless. Other people have driven hundreds of miles on a flat runflat and got home just fine, replacing the tire after they got home.

Many of us keep a small compressor in the rear cubby, if the leak isn't too bad then you can stop every time the low pressure warning comes on, air it up, and drive clear across the country without causing any further damage.

 

 

Here is a little history and clarification about the "50 miles" that keeps being bandied about.

This was GM and GY's policy ( and selling point) when RFs first started being factory installed. Basically they said that the tire was rated to be driven up to 50 miles at ZP and still be deemed structurally sound enough to be repaired. This arbitrary figure was because, at the time, generally speaking, Chevy dealers weren't farther apart than 100 miles. This didn't even take into account any GY dealers, or the fact that neither of them had the capability to change a RF tire in most of their facilities.

It was never an expiration point on a "flat" tire and how far it may be driven at ZP and get you to either safety or a replacement.

Fast forward to C7 and Michelin. Michelin's policy is now that they won't repair any tire driven at ZP. Lawyer talk (no way to "determine" any internal sidewall damage....), and still not about how far a tire may be driven at ZP to get you to either safety or a replacement.

Plenty of us that have driven a very long way at ZP with both brands.

 

From 2019 Corvette Owner Manual:
"Run-flat tires can be driven on with no air pressure. There is no need to stop on the side of the road to change the tire. Continue driving; however, do not drive too far or too fast. Driving on the tire may not be possible if there is permanent damage. To prevent permanent damage, the tire can be driven with no air pressure for up to 80 km (50 mi) at speeds slower than 80 km/h (50 mph). As soon as possible, contact the nearest authorized GM or run-flat servicing facility for inspection and repair or replacement. When driving on a deflated run-flat tire, avoid potholes and other road hazards that could damage the tire and/or wheel beyond repair. When atire has been damaged, or if driven any distance while deflated, check with an authorized run-flat tire service center to determine whether the tire can be repaired or should be replaced. To maintain the run-flat feature, all replacement tires must be run-flat tires."

GM says after driving flat, repair is permitted after inspection. Since many GM dealers do tire repairs, I doubt that GM would authorize a repair that Michelin prohibits.

Tire Rack's website says that Michelin allows one repair on a ZP tire, and their same article says that Firestone does not allow repair if the tire was driven below 15 psi; Michelin does not show that restriction.

Sometimes tire companies publish generic "no repair after driven flat" statements, and you have to do some digging to find the runflat repair approval.

 

Thank you for the further clarification from a more recent source than I had (or the last time I looked).

Tire Rack's Michelin language is now murky as to what is (or not) going to be allowed as far as repairing. It never states that they can be repaired at up to that many miles at ZP; only that they may be driven and inspected. My experience is that it's hit or miss whether or not any given facility will repair after driving at ZP.

 

I agree with the bold part. Most of the time, the tire will be inspected to determine if it can safely be repaired. A few places won't touch a ZP that's been driven flat at all, a few do only a cursory inspection. Neither of those is a good idea. And the language in the 2019 OM implies that 50 miles at 50 mph is just fine. Maybe, maybe not.

 

I have the usual cynical thought--that asking a for-profit establishment if the tire can be repaired or must be replaced, there will usually be just one answer.

 

I can understand that, but my personal experience over the years has been that tires shops are willing to repair, for free or a very low price, any tire that I thought was indeed repairable. And the ones that they declared to be junk, I also agreed. This has been true both on Corvette runflats and tin car non-runflats.
Cheer up!

 

Nice to see some honest people out there.

 

 

 

I've had two (RF and LR) since taking delivery in Feb. My tire/wheel insurance policy ($600 for 5 years) has more than paid for itself in 8 months with two new PSS ZPs costing me $0.

 

I pay for the free tire replacement from Discount. I think it is about $40 per tire or so. I have had to use it twice in all of my five flats. I did have to buy a wheel out of my pocket one time. A piece of rebar went through the tire and the rim! Yikes! It happened about 400 ft down the street as I pulled away from my house.