With the increasing popularity of run flat tyres, it is no surprise that many newer cars are now fitted with run-flats as Original Equipment. If you’re unsure as to whether your car has run-flats, the easiest way to check is if it’s indicated on the sidewall of the tyre. The car will also be fitted with a TPMS to monitor any pressure changes, which means detecting and repairing punctures or low pressure has become much easier.
While there is nothing that legally requires you to have run flat tyres, more and more people have begun enquiring about run-flats, their advantages and how they will affect a vehicle. So, we have put together the three main benefits that they can offer. With this information, plus some important things to keep in mind, you will be able to make an informed decision as to whether run-flat tyres are for you.
No Roadside Wheel Changes
Getting a puncture or blowout is a nightmare of every driver. Aside from disrupting a journey, it also means you have to spend time at the side of the road replacing the tyre. This can be dangerous, especially if you have to pull over on a busy road or hard shoulder. Add cold or wintry weather to the mix and its a recipe for driving dismay!
This could be the biggest benefit of run flat tyres, as it allows you to continue your journey and reach a safe place or garage to have your tyres checked. Try the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 for a reliable winter tyre which is also available as a run flat tyre.
Keep Control
The reinforced sidewall and self-supporting system of run flat tyres allow you to continue driving at a speed of up to 50mph for up to 50 miles without disruption or any effect on the performance of your tyres. Run flat tyres are designed to be more stable than regular tyres, even if there is little or no air in them.
Keeping full control of your car is especially important in wet weather, where even fully performing tyres can experience grip issues. The Bridgestone DriveGuard is one of the best options on the market for high wet grip performance. It is also durable enough to keep its structure in the event of a puncture.
No Spare Wheel
One of the biggest advantages of run flat tyres is the convenience of not having to carry a spare wheel in your car boot. This lowers the vehicle weight, which in turn results in better fuel economy and mileage. It also eliminates the need for carrying repair tools, creating extra storage space in your car.
The Bridgestone Turanza T005 is a great durable but fuel-efficient tyre with run-flat options. It performs well in both summer and wet weather, making this a great all round tyre, which you don’t have to worry about replacing as the seasons change.
Things to remember if you’re considering investing in run-flats
While run-flats aren’t a necessity on your car, we would highly recommend them if your car can support them. If your car boot isn’t equipped with a spare tyre, or have a space for one, then your car was not initially designed to support run-flat tyres. We don’t recommend fitting run flat tyres to a car not set up to use them.
It might be tempting to replace your original equipment run-flat tyres with standard ones, perhaps because of the low-cost and availability of conventional tyres. Some standard tyres also feel smoother to drive on than run-flats. However, this isn’t recommended because a regular tyre could affect the handling and control of your car, making it more dangerous to drive.
It’s not generally recommended to mix tyre types on the same car – including run flat and standard tyres. This is because different tyres have different characteristics which can alter the driving and handling of the vehicle. For this reason, if you are going to switch to run flats, we would advise changing all of your tyres.