What IS the point of Run Flats?

harveybobbles

I'm due to get some new boots next week, so I'll upload pics of my front tyres that are totally demollished.

Lum

Apples2 wrote: »

It was advertised as having a space saver - Great, I thought.. until I got there and looked at it, no spare and run flats.

Anyhoo, it has Runflats. If the tyre deflates, I can merrily drive for up to 50 miles with it.....great
UNLESS I am half way up Country, too far away from my destination, and too far from home, it's 9-30 at night so no tyre shops open.

I can't continue and I can't return home, I can't change it as I have nothing to change it with.... err, Hotel it is then or a long drive in an AA van, and the next day about £200 for a new one of these things.

You're only allowed to drive 50 miles or so on a space saver, so even if the car had been as advertised, you'd still be stuffed if you had a puncture away from home, only with the additional inconvenience of having to change a wheel at the side of the road and, depending on car, not being able to put all your luggage back in the boot.

Apples2

Lum wrote: »

You're only allowed to drive 50 miles or so on a space saver, .

I've never heard that before. Not that I'd want to drive for more than 50 miles with a bicycle tyre on the car of course, but I thought you could if you wanted to.

I have no issues with changing wheels at all. If I am going to be late for a business meeting, great!!

I think I'm going to go for a spacesaver set for now (comes with Jack etc) whilst I run the tyre tread down (50 miles with run flat + 50 miles with spacesaver should achieve the aim).

Once the run flats are on the legal limit - In the merry skip with them and 4 new normal tyres shall be fitted.

sunshinetours

I assume its a legislation thing rather than the tyre will self destruct, like a run flat actually could. Space savers are just supposed to be a temporary fix as they are clearly not as safe as your regular tyres

mikey72

No, they'll explode.

Well, a chronic over simplification.

Mine used to be 50 miles at 50mph.
They'll start to run warmer the more they're driven on, so extended running can lead to them "exploding" on a hot day.

sunshinetours

mikey72 wrote: »

No, they'll explode.

Well, a chronic over simplification.

Mine used to be 50 miles at 50mph.
They'll start to run warmer the more they're driven on, so extended running can lead to them "exploding" on a hot day.

Yes it can although by no means will espeically if used so that it doesn;t get too hot, however a run flat will be destroyed if run whilst flat for too long

Thats the difference

laurence_p

im sure i saw an episode of 5th gear with tiff needel driving on runflats that had been deflated at 100 mph round a track.

almillar

Stop spouting generalisations about these tyres. Read the manual that came with your car for the right information. Maybe it does say don't drive more than 50 miles (you should drive as little as possible on it) and it probably says don't go over 50, but you need to know what YOU should do in YOUR car, not do what some guy on the internet says...

sunshinetours

almillar wrote: »

Stop spouting generalisations about these tyres. Read the manual that came with your car for the right information. Maybe it does say don't drive more than 50 miles (you should drive as little as possible on it) and it probably says don't go over 50, but you need to know what YOU should do in YOUR car, not do what some guy on the internet says...

What does your manual say then?

Apples2

almillar wrote: »

Stop spouting generalisations about these tyres. Read the manual that came with your car for the right information. Maybe it does say don't drive more than 50 miles (you should drive as little as possible on it) and it probably says don't go over 50, but you need to know what YOU should do in YOUR car, not do what some guy on the internet says...

what on earth are you waffling about you fool?