And, if you have an older car without a TPMS, you can still switch to run flats: A TPMS system can be purchased at an auto parts store for under $200. Soon expect to hear about new run flats that are more comfortable to drive and less expensive.
Tire companies, realizing that consumers like the idea of never having a flat tire, that most new cars are built with TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring sensors-necessary because you can’t tell that a run flat tire is flat by looking at it-and that shedding the cost and weight of a spare tire ($200 and 70 lbs!) saves money and fuel, they’ve stepped up product development. Run flat tires are about to become more common.
Every time you hit a pothole it feels as if you’ve hit a deer-it can be jarring and you’re sure you’ve done damage to your car (even though you most likely haven’t).įurther reading: Michelin is helping teens to learn about tire safety But Here’s the Good News: Run flat tires are also a rougher, louder ride. However, I’ve never had a flat that I didn’t have to replace (isn’t that an urban myth?). Also, when you have a damaged run flat tire, you most likely will have to replace it they can’t be patched or reused. Partially because they are ‘performance’ tires designed for high end or performance cars, and partially because they are a smaller part of the market, they tend to be more expensive. Run flats are more expensive than regular tires. Photo: Scotty Reiss These Are the Pros, But of Course, There Are Cons. While the tire was expensive and I could have gotten it cheaper if I’d gone to a tire store rather than the dealer, I was happy that I could have the tire changed at my convenience, I didn’t have to wait for a tow truck or roadside assistance, and I wasn’t left stranded by the experience.įurther reading: Our Continental run flat tire review Make sure your tires are in good condition. An hour, a cup of coffee and $250 later, I was on my way. The tire was flat, I was told, and it would have to be replaced. I reset it, according to the manufacturer’s instructions and it quickly came back on again.Ī few days later, when I had time, I took the car to the car dealer. I discovered I had a flat tire when the tire pressure monitor sensor went off. You just drive your car to the tire dealer and have it taken care of. You can drive 100 miles or so on a flat tire, which means you never need to change a tire on the side of the road, you don’t have to call for roadside assistance and you don’t have to stop what you’re doing get the tire changed. They are made of very stiff rubber and a very thin inner tube that when fully deflated, still can support the weight of the car. Run flat tires don’t ever actually go flat. I first heard about run flats when I was thinking of buying my car, and this was a major selling point.
Because I have run flat tires on my car, it’s impossible to have a truly flat tire.Ī Girls Guide to Cars may earn a commission from links contained on this page, but don’t worry, we only recommend products we love? And, there is no additional cost to the buyer when a purchase is made by clicking these links. Or rather, I didn’t have a flat tire, I had a damaged run flat tire. Never have a flat tire again? Yes, it’s possible.Ī really great thing happened to me recently: I had a flat tire. These Are the Pros, But of Course, There Are Cons.Never have a flat tire again? Yes, it’s possible.
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