Is it better to have run flat tires or no flat tires?
Yes, run-flats offer better stability in a blowout, help reduce weight in the vehicle, and keep you from having to change a tire in bad conditions. That being said, no tire is perfect. Take a look at the pros and cons here to decide for yourself. Do I have to use run-flat tires on my BMW? Not always.
How can you tell if your car has a run flat tire?
In case of a puncture or other tire failure, run-flat tires use stiff, self-supporting sidewalls that allow the car to continue down the road with very little air pressure. Often, the only indication that you have a flat comes from the car’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light on the dashboard.
What causes a flat tire after running over a nail?
Most flat tires are caused by running over a nail or screw or some other sharp object that punctures the tread. That can be fixed by installing a patch kit and reinflating the tire. That’s the idea behind the tire inflator kits that are coming standard in place of spare tires in many cars.
Why do they put soft tread on run flat tires?
Opinions differ on the reason, but one theory is that tiremakers put a soft tread compound on a run-flat tire to counter the hard ride. A side effect of the softer compound is a shorter tread life.
Is it comfortable to drive with a run flat tire?
The latest models have improved in ride quality, Rogers says. Still, the most comfortable run flat may not be able to match the most comfortable conventional tire when it comes to ride quality. Many vehicles that come from the factory with run-flats feature suspension tuning that takes the characteristics of the tires into account.
Most flat tires are caused by running over a nail or screw or some other sharp object that punctures the tread. That can be fixed by installing a patch kit and reinflating the tire. That’s the idea behind the tire inflator kits that are coming standard in place of spare tires in many cars.
What’s the best way to fix a flat tire?
For many motorists, the best tools to fix an ailing tire are a phone, roadside assistance membership, and a spare tire or tire sealant kit, which can be used to fix small holes and refill the deflated tire. There are aftermarket sealants, as well.
Is it safe to use tire sealant on a flat tire?
Another plus is that when you’re not using it to pump sealant into a flat tire, the compressor can inflate other car tires, yard and recreational equipment, boat trailer tires, and so forth. The tire sealant kits that we evaluated claim to be safe on tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensors.