|
|
|
|
A flat tire is the most common and most annoying thing to ever happen, especially if you are on the way to an important event or a meeting. A tire store will help you out in such cases. But what to do if there are no tire store or a spare tire with you? Run-flat tires can help in such cases. But like everything, there are pros and cons of run-flat tires. Consider them before you buy them.
You Can Drive On A Flat Tire
The primary benefit of a self-supporting tire is that it allows you to keep driving on a flat about 100 miles after all the air has gone. You don't have to get out of the car in the cold, or the rain, or onto a busy highway. It is recommended to reduce the speed up to 50 mph to get the maximum range.
Better Stability After A Blowout
A sudden deflation results in less weight transfer and tread destabilization as this tire can support the vehicle for miles without air. Steering and handling will remain near normal.
Lower Vehicle Weight
With the spare wheel and tire repair tools eliminated, vehicle weight should theoretically go down. But it won't be as much as you might expect since run-flats weigh more than regular tires due to the added sidewall reinforcement.
No Spare
Most cars that has run-flat tires, along with a spare tire is also ill equipped of jack and tools. In fact, eliminating the spare tire and reallocating that space to some other purpose (styling, a third-row seat, interior room, etc.) is a big reason why carmakers offer run-flats.
Reduced Tread Wear
To counter the hard ride tiremakers put a soft tread compound on a run-flat-tire. A side effect of the softer compound is shorter tread life. Actual data on the longevity of run-flat tires have been hard to find. owners reported higher overall satisfaction with run-flat tires. They did not lag behind conventional tires in the survey.
Blowouts Are Still Possible
The tire can begin to disintegrate, with the same destabilizing effects if a driver fails to heed or notice the warnings and drives beyond the zero-pressure range or above the speed limit. Additionally, if the puncture occurs on the sidewall or if the tire hits a large object, the driver will have to call a tow truck.
Hard To Make Sure If It Is Low On Air
The sidewalls do not bulge if the air pressure is low if the tire has a stiffer construction. Therefore, it is critical to have a tire pressure monitoring system and check your tire pressure frequently. Otherwise, you'll never know when you have a flat.
Harsher Ride
The stiff sidewalls that make a run-flat work also result in a harsher ride. If the vehicle came with run-flat tires from the factory, the automaker usually tunes the suspension to offset the rougher ride.
|
|
