Run Flat Tires question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 60
Likes: 103
From: Beaumont, TX
Run Flat Tires question
Is is OK to use Fix-A-Flat or Spare Tire In a Can, or some other tire leak sealer in run flat tires? Just long enough to get to a tire store? The C8 has no spare, and I'm just wondering if it would be good to carry something like that in the trunk. I already have a small air compressor.
Another question: Sometimes I see a little green icon on the bottom right corner of the screen next to the time and temperature. I have looked all through the owners manual and can't find it anywhere. It looks like it might be a little battery symbol, but I'm not sure. Anyone know what it is? It is there sometimes, and sometimes gone.
Another question: Sometimes I see a little green icon on the bottom right corner of the screen next to the time and temperature. I have looked all through the owners manual and can't find it anywhere. It looks like it might be a little battery symbol, but I'm not sure. Anyone know what it is? It is there sometimes, and sometimes gone.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Central Illinois
That's the whole idea behind run flats is that you can get the car to a tire store without having to do anything. I ran over a bolt when my car was new and the pressure dropped and I drove home.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 60
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From: Beaumont, TX
I know that I can drive on a deflated run flat tire, but I was told that if you drive too far on a flat tire that the tire will be ruined and need to be replaced instead of just repaired. Is that incorrect? Sometimes when travelling I drive where it is a long way to a tire store. Those tires are expensive.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2020
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From: DFW
and yet my Camaro SS came from the factory with a can of fix a flat and a small air compressor instead of a spare. Hmm....
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Central Illinois
Our Jeep we owned had sensors and it came with a compressor and fix a flat, which I used once. That fix a flat **** makes a mess like nothing else when you take the tire off. To your point though, it didn't hurt the sensor at all.
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Joined: Nov 2021
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From: Tulsa, OK
I know that I can drive on a deflated run flat tire, but I was told that if you drive too far on a flat tire that the tire will be ruined and need to be replaced instead of just repaired. Is that incorrect? Sometimes when traveling I drive where it is a long way to a tire store. Those tires are expensive.
Safety Car
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From: Buckeye, AZ
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This is no longer true with current fix a flat compounds. In fact you have a choice. A run flat is only good for 50 miles then has to be replaced. So even if the tire sensor did go bad what is cheaper? Most cars today do not come with run flats, but a repair kit.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
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There have been other threads that claim that Michelin says a runflat ban be repaired if the damage is limited to certain areas of the tire. I also found similar statements on other websites claiming that Michelin says that. But I could not find that statement on the Michelin web site. There is a feature on the Michelin web site to ask questions. You could try that and see what you get back.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Virginia Beach, VA & Port Charlotte, FL
Most run flat tires cannot be repaired, so keep that in mind. They're meant to be replaced, not repaired. I know my Pirelli P-ZERO RF tires have a 1-year replacement period that is tread wear pro-rated to help offset the cost, but it's the price of having no spare tire.
Common sense dictates that if you have a gash in the tire you'll need a new one.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Westchester County, New York
I use non run flats (to soften the ride for my wife's bad back). Some sealants are fine to use with TPMS valves, but using them in conjunction with a pump works much better than using the ones in cans. I carry the following system (see attached), which I can use without the sealant to just inflate the tires or with the sealant to seal a leak.
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I followed up and asked Michelin specifically about repair of a puncture to a runflat tire. This is the response. It looks like a standard response, but it does include runflats.Thanks for contacting the Michelin Consumer Care Team.
Thanks for contacting the Michelin Consumer Care Team.
Acceptable tread puncture repair limits for passenger and light truck tires are:
- 1/4" diameter or less per RMA/ USTMAprocedure
-Maximum 3 repairs to an individual tire, except run flat tires only 1 repair permitted
- Each repair location minimum of 90 degrees apart
- No additional repair can be made if first or second repair is not an approved RMA/USTMA repair type. If non-RMA/ USTMA type, then scrap tire.
A speed rated tire will retain its speed rating as long as the above procedures are adhered to.
External or outside-in repair methods using sealants string, rubber bands or rivet type plugs are not permitted. A damaged tire must be removed from the wheel in order to determine if there is interior damage (not detectable from exterior) which could cause a tire to suddenly fail.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: New Orleans, Louisiana
I've used fix a flat on my run flats when I had a camaro and also a few months ago on my c7, no damage to the sensors , the sensors aren't expensive anyway . I was able to get to a repair shop safely and that's all that mattered to me...not a sensor
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
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From: NE South Carolina
There have been other threads that claim that Michelin says a runflat ban be repaired if the damage is limited to certain areas of the tire. I also found similar statements on other websites claiming that Michelin says that. But I could not find that statement on the Michelin web site. There is a feature on the Michelin web site to ask questions. You could try that and see what you get back.
Damage That Requires Repair
Tire Damage Issues:
- Most punctures nail holes, or cuts up to ¼" confined to the tread may be repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved procedures.
- An on-the-wheel plug-only repair is not reliable and is dangerous because the inside of a tire must be inspected after a puncture.
The proper repair of a radial tire includes the placing of a rubber patch on the inner liner of the tire and a rubber filling of the hole by a professional. Do not attempt to have repaired tires with tread punctures larger than 1/4" or any sidewall puncture. Also, do not have tires repaired that are worn below 2/32" tread depth.
A Plug/Patch is what most quality tire repair shops will use. Fits the Michelin description. That is what Discount Tire used on one nail on the rear of my C8 tire. Had another nail in the other rear tire that was within 1 inch of the sidewall and since I had their tire Insurance (paid $225) it was replaced FREE. Brought my C8 over when a week old and they looked up the cost of insurance and that is what I paid. It's insurance NOT a warranty. Good until the tread is 2/32 and note, that is what Michelin and most will say get a new tire. For hydroplaning reasons I always do that anyway.
Discount Tire uses 1 inch from the edge to define sidewall. The Firestone Shop in town states they will not, cannot by company rule repair IF the nail is in the outer tread. Recall for my 2017 Grand Sport 335 rear that was crazy as the outer tread was like 2 1/2 inch wide and the inner 2 inches! But that is their rule and the store manager said he was not going to risk his job not following.
The Chevy/BMW/Mercedes dealer in town has a different rule. They will not fix a flat, will only replace the tire. Their business their rule! BTW, bought Discount Tire insurance for the wife's prior 2018 BMW X5 SUV for $180. She had 4 nails, two near the sidewall and got two new tires FREE. The rear's were 315 Continental run flats, ~$400 each. Have same insurance for her 2021 BMW X5 SUV. So far no nails!
Last edited by JerryU; Jan 21, 2022 at 12:00 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
I have a different approach, I carry a cord type tire repair kit and reamer, along with a portable air compressor. If the tire will not hold air due to a nail or other object, I remove the offender and use a tee handled reamer to clean our the hole. Then I use another tee handled cord installer to plug the repair. During this process I have my air compressor filling the tire.
Over the years I have used this procedure many times and on three Corvettes. If there are no leaks I leave well enough alone. If the tire develops a slow leak, I have a proper repair done.
A proper repair is demounting the tire and having a plug patch repair installed from inside the tire.
My wife and I were stranded 1,400 miles from home once in my Corvette with a flat and nobody would repair or had a replacement tire, so I used this procedure and drove home problem free. 50 miles won’t do it sometimes on a run flat.
Over the years I have used this procedure many times and on three Corvettes. If there are no leaks I leave well enough alone. If the tire develops a slow leak, I have a proper repair done.
A proper repair is demounting the tire and having a plug patch repair installed from inside the tire.
My wife and I were stranded 1,400 miles from home once in my Corvette with a flat and nobody would repair or had a replacement tire, so I used this procedure and drove home problem free. 50 miles won’t do it sometimes on a run flat.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
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From: NE South Carolina
I have a different approach, I carry a cord type tire repair kit and reamer, along with a portable air compressor. If the tire will not hold air due to a nail or other object, I remove the offender and use a tee handled reamer to clean our the hole. Then I use another tee handled cord installer to plug the repair. During this process I have my air compressor filling the tire.
Over the years I have used this procedure many times and on three Corvettes. If there are no leaks I leave well enough alone. If the tire develops a slow leak, I have a proper repair done.
A proper repair is demounting the tire and having a plug patch repair installed from inside the tire.
My wife and I were stranded 1,400 miles from home once in my Corvette with a flat and nobody would repair or had a replacement tire, so I used this procedure and drove home problem free. 50 miles won’t do it sometimes on a run flat.
Over the years I have used this procedure many times and on three Corvettes. If there are no leaks I leave well enough alone. If the tire develops a slow leak, I have a proper repair done.
A proper repair is demounting the tire and having a plug patch repair installed from inside the tire.
My wife and I were stranded 1,400 miles from home once in my Corvette with a flat and nobody would repair or had a replacement tire, so I used this procedure and drove home problem free. 50 miles won’t do it sometimes on a run flat.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
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To summarize, if you need to drive more than 50 miles to get the tire repaired, carry and use a gm approved sealant, in the event of a flat. If less than 50 miles, just drive there. Michelin only approves one repair for runflats.
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I know that I can drive on a deflated run flat tire, but I was told that if you drive too far on a flat tire that the tire will be ruined and need to be replaced instead of just repaired. Is that incorrect? Sometimes when travelling I drive where it is a long way to a tire store. Those tires are expensive.