However, the stiffer sidewalls will not make a tire with low air pressure obvious, as would be the case with a conventional tire, so self-supporting run flats must only be used on vehicles with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems) so the driver can be alerted to a low pressure condition. They also have special beads to keep the tire attached to the wheel if there is a loss of pressure. As the name suggests, these tires have sidewalls that are stiffened with additional rubber and cords, enabling them to support the weight of the vehicle for a limited number of miles after loss of air pressure. Self-supporting tires are the most widespread form of run flat tires, and tires with this technology are manufactured by all of the top tire brands. While these are not technically run flat tires, they must be included with any discussion of run flat tires because they provide another option for continued mobility in the event of a puncture. Today there are 2 types of run flat tires, self-supporting and auxiliary supported. In contrast, a run flat tire is completely safe to drive on if the tire has little or no pressure, providing that the recommended maximum driving distance and speed are not exceeded. If air pressure is lost in a conventional tire, either by puncture and slow leak or blowout, the vehicle is not safe to drive, and attempting to creep along the shoulder of the road will destroy the tire in short order. ![]() A lighter vehicle is more fuel efficient, and with ever more stringent CAFÉ (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards, vehicle makers must remove weight wherever they can.Ī vehicle is not supported by the tires but rather by the air pressure inside the tires. By eliminating them a manufacturer is able to make a vehicle that is lighter and has more room for passengers and cargo. A spare tire and its mounting apparatus, and the jacking equipment, are heavy and take up space. While run flat tires are definitely a boon to drivers, making a flat tire one less thing they need to be concerned about during their travels, they were not developed solely to provide peace of mind. Run flat tires allow you to drive a certain distance after loss of air pressure, typically up to 50 miles and at less than 50 mph, so you can safely make it home or to a garage. You’ll never be delayed or have to deal with the hassle of changing or repairing a flat tire by the side of the road if your vehicle is equipped with Run Flat tires. The one thing you can count on is being late to wherever you were going. At worst it means getting dirty wrestling with a spare and a jack, at best you’ll be waiting awhile for roadside assistance.
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