Non Run Flat - what do you do if...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
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From: Lansing MI
I've been driving Corvettes a long time - and a lot of miles..... I once had to change a tire on a busy highway in the mud and snow.... it was 17 degrees - it was in 1998, how do I remember? It was two weeks after my heart attack...!
Today, I'm an old man - 77 - NEVER again will I be caught out like that... I'm with Foosh: why would anyone, unless tracking the car, have anything other than RF tires on a car these days? No brainer.
And we spend $50K - $140K for these things.... what's an extra $200 for tires $50 a tire? Yes, it is insignificant - and I'm on a fixed income.
Today, I'm an old man - 77 - NEVER again will I be caught out like that... I'm with Foosh: why would anyone, unless tracking the car, have anything other than RF tires on a car these days? No brainer.
And we spend $50K - $140K for these things.... what's an extra $200 for tires $50 a tire? Yes, it is insignificant - and I'm on a fixed income.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; Feb 22, 2019 at 04:18 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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If it made a massive performance or comfort difference, then yes, I could see perhaps taking the chance, but I would still never attempt a roadside repair unless the road was absolutely deserted. However, it makes absolutely zero difference in terms of comfort or performance.
Having done plenty of back-to-back testing on my 2 C7s over almost 3 years now, those who say they don't like runflat tires simply don't realize technology has made them every bit the equal of the comparable non-RF.
Old urban myths die hard and often last for generations.
Having done plenty of back-to-back testing on my 2 C7s over almost 3 years now, those who say they don't like runflat tires simply don't realize technology has made them every bit the equal of the comparable non-RF.
Old urban myths die hard and often last for generations.
Last edited by Foosh; Feb 22, 2019 at 04:20 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Lansing MI
If it made a massive performance or comfort difference, then yes, I could see perhaps taking the chance, but I would still never attempt a roadside repair unless the road was absolutely deserted. However, it makes absolutely no difference in terms of comfort or performance.
Having done plenty of back-to-back testing on my 2 C7s over almost 3 years now, those who say they don't like runflat tires simply don't realize technology has made them every bit the equal of the comparable non-RF.
Having done plenty of back-to-back testing on my 2 C7s over almost 3 years now, those who say they don't like runflat tires simply don't realize technology has made them every bit the equal of the comparable non-RF.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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What? So you now have proof that they are the result of runflat tires, as opposed to inferior wheel design and construction? Z51-style bent wheel reports are almost non-existent, but GS wheels appear to be very vulnerable, with Z06 wheels to a lesser extent. If anything, ZPs offer more wheel protection.
Sidewall construction is the same as non ZPs in the Michelin ZP technology. It's been repeatedly noted in this forum that the Michelin ZPs have an inner band that only comes into play when the tires are in a ZP condition.
You need to get up to date on urban mythology.
Sidewall construction is the same as non ZPs in the Michelin ZP technology. It's been repeatedly noted in this forum that the Michelin ZPs have an inner band that only comes into play when the tires are in a ZP condition.
You need to get up to date on urban mythology.
Last edited by Foosh; Feb 22, 2019 at 04:38 PM.
Race Director
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From: Lansing MI
Racer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 348
Likes: 175
From: Central Texas
I gotta go with Foosh on this one. Not long ago I backed up to my warehouse and right then my tire pressure monitor went off and I went from full pressure to nothing in a matter of a minute or so. Got out to find a really large green key sticking out of my tire just inside the outer edge so no way to fix it. Backed into my warehouse and took a truck home because I had to order a new tire. Slime nor patch would've filled this large hole so close to the tire's edge. Have you ever pulled a tire off the wheel after it's been slimed? I can only imagine what I'd do late at night at a rough spot on the road if this happened. I'm sure not going to drive on my wheel and ruin it so I'm stuck on the side of the road. Typically this wouldn't happen at a convenient time, no way. Sure I can call a wrecker and deal with that but what a pain in the a$$. Again, like Foosh, I don't understand why people drive on anything but ZPs. If there's little to no difference in the modern tire why risk it?
To each his own but my vote is always a ZP tire if I don't have a spare. Just my .02.
To each his own but my vote is always a ZP tire if I don't have a spare. Just my .02.
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Team Owner
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Yes, but it was also about trying to help the OP change a bad tentative decision before making the purchase. And it's she not he.
Last edited by Foosh; Feb 22, 2019 at 04:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
I have had five flats! Yes. That's right. FIVE! Only on two of those instances would a plug kit worked. One was a rebar that went not only through the tire, but also the wheel. I just went on my way for the next 85 miles from the middle of nowhere usa to a Discount Tire center. If you just run your car in town maybe non run flats would cut the mustard. But out on a road trip? Good luck.
Last edited by joemessman; Feb 22, 2019 at 04:42 PM.
Race Director
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From: Lansing MI
Well perhaps you have done that and perhaps not. One thing is for sure, you didn't address the question directly. Seems to me this is a personal preference issue anyway.
Team Owner
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The question was answered both by me and by others. Early on, I said sometimes slime works, sometimes not, good luck. Others said same. Many also said there is a far better option.
It certainly was all related to the original question, and OP hasn't had non-ZP tires mounted yet.
It certainly was all related to the original question, and OP hasn't had non-ZP tires mounted yet.
Last edited by Foosh; Feb 22, 2019 at 05:01 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Northeast
I had OEM inflator kits in a couple GT500s and GT350, and hated them... Unfortuntely I had to use a kit once, which was unsuccessful as the goop solidified in the canister.
I remember reading horror stories years ago with run flats on the Vette, i.e., noisy, rough ride, etc., but find the modern version(s) to be similar to non-run flats in ride quality and performance... and the piece of mind is priceless.
I remember reading horror stories years ago with run flats on the Vette, i.e., noisy, rough ride, etc., but find the modern version(s) to be similar to non-run flats in ride quality and performance... and the piece of mind is priceless.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
The question was answered both by me and by others. Early on, I said sometimes slime works, sometimes not, good luck. Others said same. Many also said there is a far better option.
It certainly was all related to the original question, and OP hasn't had non-ZP tires mounted yet.
It certainly was all related to the original question, and OP hasn't had non-ZP tires mounted yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
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Call me obnoxious if you like, I don't care. However, throughout my life, it always makes me cringe when I see folks making bad decisions because they are not well-informed. Thus, I go out of my way to try to provide info they may be missing. If they choose to ignore it, my conscience is clear.
Last edited by Foosh; Feb 22, 2019 at 05:09 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Call me obnoxious if you like, I don't care. However, throughout my life, it always makes me cringe when I see folks making bad decisions because they are not well-informed. Thus, I go out of my way to try to provide info they may be missing. If they choose to ignore it, my conscience is clear.
Ps - I would never call you obnoxious, now that I seem to be off your ignore list, your my new bff !! lol hahaha ….
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,918
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From: Any City USA
Call me obnoxious if you like, I don't care. However, throughout my life, it always makes me cringe when I see folks making bad decisions because they are not well-informed. Thus, I go out of my way to try to provide info they may be missing. If they choose to ignore it, my conscience is clear.
Last edited by V Vette; Feb 22, 2019 at 05:31 PM.