What are Run Flat Tyres?

Run flat tyres are exactly what the name suggests: tyres which can continue driving on reduced tyre pressure. When a puncture or loss of tyre pressure occurs using regular tyres, drivers can often end up stuck on the side of the road, or rush to get a replacement tyre as soon as they can. With run flat tyres, you can travel for up to 50 miles at 50mph before needing to change your tyre or get the puncture repaired - allowing you to get to a garage or home. The exact distance and speed depend on the tyre brand and the weight of the car you are driving.

Run flat tyres should only be fitted to newer cars equipped with a built-in TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) which will automatically sense any changes to tyre pressure and alert the driver.

How do Run Flat Tyres work?

The science behind run flat tyres is simple. They are specially developed with a reinforced sidewall which acts as an extra barrier against wear & tear. This sidewall is also designed to support the extra weight without any adverse damage to the wheels.

Due to their durability, run flat tyres also reduce the risk of tyre blowouts, which can be dangerous to drivers and other motorists on the road.

How to identify Run Flat tyres

Run flat tyres are easily identifiable by symbols on the sidewall of your tyre. Although no standard code indicates run flat capabilities, most tyre manufacturers have their own markings. Below is a list of the best-selling premium run flat tyre brands and the symbols they use to identify them.

• Bridgestone - ROF, RFT, RSC
• Pirelli - RSC
• Michelin - ZP
• Goodyear - ROF, EMT
• Dunlop - DSST, ROF
• Continental - SSR

Popular run flat tyres here at Asda Tyres include the Continental ContiPremiumContact 6, an all-weather tyre that offers enhanced control, and the Pirelli P Zero which provides stability and control to high-performance cars.

Although damage is unlikely on these durable tyres, it is sometimes unavoidable. We would never recommend repairing damaged run flat tyres. Once the tyres’ sidewall has been compromised, the strength, durability and safety will be significantly reduced.

One of the main reasons it is advised against repairing run flats is if the deflated or damaged tyre has been driven on, there is no way for a fitter or garage to know how long or how fast the tyre has been driven on and therefore, won’t know how best to fix it. Because of this, most fitters will not even offer to repair your run flat tyres and instead will recommend replacement.

We would recommend replacing the tyre as soon as you notice a puncture or damage or your TPMS system has alerted you to a drop in tyre pressure.