I’m looking to replace my tires in the spring and I’m trying to decide between the run flats vs regular all season tires. What’s everyone’s take and what brand do you all lean to?

 

I got the Michelin Run Flats Summer only tires. Questions:

1. Are you running it in conditions under 40? If so, I wouldn't use Summer Only tires.
2. If you don't use run flats, what is your plan if you get a flat? If you drive to church on Sunday only, no worries. If you go out of town and you get a flat, what is your plan?

 

I run a set of Michelin A/S 3+ ZPs on my car - great tires and have been updated by Michelin to newer versions. I plan to replace them when needed with another set of Michelin A/S ZP tires.

 

I recently changed my OEM summer run flats out to the newest Michelin all season run flats, ride is improved, road noise is down and no front wheel hopping when the steering wheel is full over to left or right. Not sure I would ever have non run flats on my Corvette, but YMMV.

 

I went with the Michelin all season non-run flat tires. 2 1/2 years with them and never had a nail or leak. There’s always some worry when driving that you’ll get a flat but I can count on one finger the times I’ve had a flat while driving, and it’s been over 20 years of driving.

 

Same thing here with 30 some years of driving. Mine usually happens at a bad situation where help is hard to get. Late at night, in the boonies, bad weather and bad locations. I always was able to DIY and get out. If I was talking about an F150, no problem. On a C7, you need a flatbed tow truck.

What's your plan for a flat in a car that mandates a flatbed tow truck? Assuming, of course that you have cellphone connection, which is not a guarantee? Call around to make sure they send the flatbed and wait? Or would you rather drive somewhere where you can get the job done easier?

What is the attraction to non-runflat tires anyway? That will make the risk worthwhile?

 

I went with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 all season. No issues at all.

https://www.michelinman.com/auto/tir...t-all-season-4

 

My experience is about the same 50+ years of driving I can count on one hand the times I had a flat on the road, but when I did it was at the most inconvenient time or place, once I was on I-4 between Orlando and Clermont, no problem, until I found the spare had deflated to the point I could not use it, so there I was leaving the wife and baby in the car hoofing the spare a few miles to the next exit, I was fortunate that on the trip to and from the service station I was picked up by a kind soul. At my age I am not about to try that again, so I have run flats on the Vette and small emergency compressors in both cars, the Vette and the Outback, as well as having AAA. To each his own.

 

You are fortunate you are not at the bottom of a pit and the guy on top 8s saying "It rubs the lotion on it's skin. It does this when it is told or it gets the hose." Silence of the Lambs movie quote. I would not be stopping to give anyone a ride these days. Nothing personal but I don't know you so "Stranger Danger". I do check all my spare tires from time to time. Toss 10 year old tires.

 

On my Z06, I started with the OEM Michelin Pilot Super Sports for my warm weather setup, and Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4's for my cold weather setup. In my opinion, the ride was annoyingly harsh on both tires.

I'm now running Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 tires for my warm weather setup, and ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus tires on my cold weather setup. They ride MUCH smoother than the comparable Michelin tires. Handling & grip is also fantastic with both Continentals. The Sport 02 tires are among the quietest tires that I've ever owned. I would compare them to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S non-run-flat summer tires; which are also fantastic.

I will never buy run-flats again. I generally don't take long-distance trips away from home in my Corvette. So, I'm not concerned about having having a tire blow out, as that's only happened once in my 46 years of driving. For me, the worst case scenario would be calling an Uber to take me home. I'd throw one of the out-of season wheels/tires & a jack into my other vehicle, drive to the Vette, and swap out the wheels/tires. I'd leave the other car, and drive the Vette home. Then I'd need someone to give me a ride back to get the other car. Again, this is the absolute worst case scenario. But I'm not worried about it. I put 50K miles on my C6 with non-run-flats, and never had any issues worse than a nail in a tire.

 

My episode was back in the early 80's, much different world back then, but I hear what you are saying.

 

Sad it has to be that way. Back then I hitchhiked but today, I would not dare to do that nor will I pick someone up even if it was the dead of winter. I'll call the cops but that's it.

 

Honest question: Is there a problem with carrying a can of Fix-A-Flat in the car if you're running non run flats? Will it ruin the tire? I can live with that. Will it ruin the wheel? That would be more of a problem.

 

I'm not comfortable with aerosols or bottles in the car. Heat and cold water. How hot can the car get baking in summer? Besides I feel like that is a Hail Mary at best. Tire cannot be too low and I have not had a flat it could fix yet. They have been big enough I would leave the nail in and overfill it and limp to the facilites or just swap it. My C7 is the only one we have to worry about.

I heard shops don't like that in the wheels and more than that, the rubber doesn't like it much. I would have used it if it was needed a couple of days before storage last year since I am getting new tires and sensors. I would have to make sure the shop cleaned up all the goop.

 

I picked my car up today from the dealership where i had these exact tires installed - replacing the older Michelin A/S 3+ ZPs from 2018. So far they look and drive GREAT! Dealer matched Discount Tire price including military discount and did the alignment as well. Cannot recommend them enough.

 

The C5 Z06 did not have runflats and came with a can of sealant instead. I saw several pics of the cars on the shoulder or a flatbed with the the sealant splattered all over the car from a leak in the tire that it didn't seal. I'd say no better than 50/50. If you go with non-runflats and stay local, no problem. If you go traveling, be sure to have AAA or similar, cash, cellphone with charger, flares, can of fixaflat, tire plug kit, electric inflator, tow hook or bridle. And for while you're waiting for the flatbed, have a good book for boredom and legal sidearm of your choice for safety. Actually, I have all of those anyway.

The time we had a flat in our Corvette, it was out in the boonies on a narrow twisty road that might have been impassable for a flatbed, no tools or ride to take the wheel somewhere. The runflats saved us hundreds of dollars and a day of PITA.
The likelihood of a flat is rather low, but the consequences can be quite high. Think carefully about your individual situations, choose wisely.

 

Thank you for the input. As this is my first corvette my knowledge is limited. I decide to go with the Michelin pilot sport all season run flats. I don’t want to take a chance n having a flat in the middle of nowhere.

 

That sealant, I'm probably going to be fine with for sitting in the hot car say if you parked it at the airport for a couple of weeks since it is from GM and not some auto parts store. As to how well it works, like I said, pinhole leak, maybe. Bigger nail, I don't think so. My phone is usually charged but if I had to wait that long that I need a charger, we have a serious problem. Sidearm, sure. Not sure what I would do with the tow hook and brindle. Not like the tow truck guy would want my stuff and for liability issues, I wouldn't want to lend him mine. After all, if there is an issue, I surely don't want him saying it is my equipment. Your equipment, your problem if there is an issue.

True but why are people trying to avoid the runflats? Not like it is that bad. Now if you are tracking or dragging, sure. Day to day running, why?

 

There's no incentive to driving a car without a spare tire.

Run flats save me from being stranded.

 

Some people are cheap. Some are stupid and think that it sits inside so it never will go bad since "I have never used it.". Some are both. I just got the C4 and was busy stuffing in the 383 and on the way home, I got a flat. Tried the spare and it was rotten. Couldn't get a donut spare for a while but finally got it.

Not yet but sooner or later, it will be my turn. I will bet on it happening and be happy to be wrong.