Topic: Run Flat Tires: Good, Bad, Ugly

[bluedevil]

Tires that can be driven while in a flat state is appearing more and more on new vehicles. As a result, Consumer Reports recently has looked into their practicality and safety.

According to Consumer Reports, there are two types of run flat tires -- self-supporting tires and the Michelin PAX System. Self-supporters feature very stiff sidewalls so that they can carry the vehicle if air is lost. However, the added stiffness added by the sidewalls can cause a harsher ride that many drivers and passengers may not be willing to endure.

Self-supporting tires appear on such vehicles as the Toyota Sienna minivan and the Chevrolet Corvette roadster.

The Michelin PAX System is used on the Honda Odyssey minivan. It uses a special wheel fitted with a ring that supports the tire when there is no air in it.  But changing this tire may be difficult because special equipment is needed to do the task. The tire is also expensive: some owners have swapped it out for more conventional tires after a flat due to the cost.


Moreover, the Michelin PAX System assembly is not always in stock at the dealer.

Other issues include more frequent replacement of run-flats as opposed to standard tires.


In general, run-flat seemed to be most used on higher end sports cars, sedans, and cars with limited storage space for a spare tire.

Consumer Reports concluded that run-flat tires provide safety benefits that consumers should consider. Also, the technology to produce and use them is improving while their prices go down.

[MyBigToy]

I can tell you the Goodyears on the Vette are noisy and hard. I'll be going with Michelin all-season run-flats when these wear out. That way I won't get stranded if I end up in the Vette when we get 1/4" of snow!

[Strobin]

Vette? Snow? Are you crazy?

[MyBigToy]

Vette? Snow? Are you crazy?

It won't be intentional but I do drive the Vette in the winter also. Not a lot but I bet I will get caught in an unexpected snowstorm sometime.

[diegorob]

Vette? Snow? Are you crazy?

lemme get this straight...you own a AV and drive a vette in the winter?

sounds sane to me, people here do it all the time...with the tops down too..

[justJR]

So in the winter you get to experience "drifting" two ways at the same time?

[MyBigToy]

Vette? Snow? Are you crazy?

lemme get this straight...you own a AV and drive a vette in the winter?

sounds sane to me, people here do it all the time...with the tops down too..

I drive it to work, like once a week, when the weather is supposed to be good. But we all know how accurate the weathermen are.  As far as with the top down,  ::) that's only when the temperature is above 60 degrees F.  ;D

So in the winter you get to experience "drifting" two ways at the same time?

I like drifting the Vette on dry pavement but I don't do it much since the rear tires are $330 a pop.

[diegorob]

So in the winter you get to experience "drifting" two ways at the same time?

??? drifting  ???

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