Why You SHOULDN'T Buy Run Flat Tires | Here's An Alternative! | DriveHub

It's the age-old question in the tire world... Should I put run-flat tires on my car or go with regular tires? Run-flat tires allow a vehicle to still travel at limited speeds and distance after a tire has been punctured. This sounds like a great idea, why wouldn't you purchase run-flat tires then? Run flats aren't without fault and there are many cons to purchasing them.
Today I'm going to go over the pros and cons of both run-flat tires and standard regular tires, and also offer an alternative that has saved many non-run flat tire users in case of a tire emergency.
Buy a portable air compressor here;

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#RunFlatTires #RunFlats #RunFlatProsCons

[Ticona]

"God I love this thing" I say that every time I step on my C5. That is what owning a Corvette is all about!

[lynneldridge]

First upgrade I made after buying a '13 Z06 was ditch the run-flats. They're noisy and suck for traction. Much happier after making the change to Michelin PS4s.

[motorgearhead]

In my experience, regular tires provide much better performance than run flats. I like Michelin pilot super sports (or PS4’s now). Great tread wear vs the performance. I use a compressor & tire patch kit. Never had to use the patch kit. And only 1 flat tire in 15 yrs and two Corvettes. The one flat held air for several hours before having to be topped off. So, this has been a good option for me to date.

[generitaldato]

One other negative to standard tires that you didn’t mention is that if you get a flat at speed and lose all pressure, you can ruin your wheel before you can come to a stop.

[emhamontage]

I drive a 2000 corvette c5 convertible with run flats tires, ...never a problem with that, ...now just installed brand new Michellin run flats tires again, with new SR1 Apex rims, ...really no any problem with the noise, and i drive it dailly!! Greetzz The Netherlands.

[longrider]

I replaced my Pilot Sport summer only"s with Pilot Sport AS/3+ run flats . Ride quality improved, noise decreased, low temps weren't an issue, no low speed scrub. His example with the compressor didn't talk about plugging a flat before you pump it up.

[speedfiend]

So you are correct about the Runflat tires being noisy. However, when I had my Corvette with run flats and they needed replacing I did some research and my recollection is the OEM Goodyears are noisy and wear out quickly. The Michelin equivalent are supposedly noticeably quieter and also last longer. Not being stuck on the side of the road is worth the extra cash IMO.

[henrymontenegro]

Thank you, I always thought Corvette owners used Triple A.

[ricksgarage]

I went to a local salvage yard and purchased a small scissors jack which I carry in my '04 Z06 along with a set of 4 jack pucks, a compressor and a tire plug patch kit. In the event the hole is unrepairable, such as a hole in the sidewall, I keep a tire and a rim that fits the car at home that a member of my family can deliver to me. If this were to occur while on a road trip I am admittedly phukticated. -Richard Curtis

[Paul.Breaux]

Thank you for this. I just took off the Good Year F1's and bought a plug kit and compressor. The ride on the regular tires is insanely better. And I saved a ton of money!

[Kimmer]

I respectfully disagree. We own a BMW X3 with run flats and love them. They are not noisy and the ride is excellent. BMW designs the vehicle for run flats and does not recommend changing to conventional tires. We got a flat during a terrible rain storm once on a mountain narrow winding road and the run flats allowed us to drive safely to a repair shop. They are well worth the extra price to me for safety and peace of mind especially when my wife drives alone. I currently use a compressor like the one in this video for an EV that I drive, but tire plugs don't always work and can invalidate the tire warranty. I'm planning to switch to run flats when I change the tires despite the few cons.

[stampede]

I carry a 12v compressor, tire repair kit, and a better jack in my truck. Really good for peace of mind that I can get back on the road quick and easy.

[tjyoung]

Thank you! My run flats on my Q50 make me tram line like crazy on certain types of pavement and I’ve had so many opinions on the car from suspension adjustments, checking control arms, etc and chalked it up to Run Flat tires and crappy pavement. Just waiting to get new wheels and I’m switching to standard tires

[scubasteve]

Trust me, as a C5 owner for like 13 years, you should keep on those run flats. They've saved my ass so many times. When you use that flat kit on the C5 with the TPMS it'll plug it up/destroy it. That's why you use that with the z06 only. So now, if that fix-a-flat gum ruined your TPMS, you have to change that too and have it recalibrated. Just my thoughts.

[jessebunker]

The suspension of the Corvette is set up for run-flats. If your car sits in the winter, run-flats don't flat spot like a regular tire. Run-flats don't have as much body roll as regular tires. But with that being said, traction is better with a regular tire. Good report.

[yabonjin]

He left out so many things. I didn't want run flats but they came stock on my bmw x5. Noise, ride and life has been fine. If you catch a puncture quickly and don't drive on the it with low air you can plug them as a regular tire. Patch preferred also. Air compressor doesn't help if you have a big hole in your tire! And I'd hate to try to plug a hole on the side of the road. Runflats will take over. They are superior technology. Advantages are:
Safer - never stranded. Never change a tire on side of road.
Safer - tire is more controllable in sudden blowout.
No spare needed to carry around in your car.
Your wife and kids will like it.

[GBAL]

Hmm I ran into a pothole that damaged my passenger front tire my low tire pressure light came on and it freaked me out car drove fine. I was 60 miles from home woke up the next day and there was a golf ball size hole on the inside of my tire, That same tire took me all the way home going 60 MPH.I will ALWAYS run with RUNFLATS ....ALWAYS

[brianbb]

i had a car exactly like yours. drove 10 years 100k miles. never had flat. did have punctures though. i always carried a compressor like yours and a plug kit. plugs are very easy to use, but since the corvete is so low to the ground installing a plug while tire is on car would be hard.

[daniellocke]

I just bought a set of new tires for my 2001 Z06 last November, The car has 10000 miles and had the original tiresI bought a set of Michelin non run-flats from Town Fair tire in Nashua, N.H.

[SarahWalker-Smith]

Maybe depends on the journeys you do . We have just bought a Lexus with run flats and plan to drive through France so it seems like good peace of mind at the moment.