What is run flat tire? Learn the process of repairing run flat tire

In this article, we will provide a detailed account of a run flat tire. We will also provide you information about repairing run flat tire.

If the tire gets punctured while driving on the road, a driver can still manage to drive his car for some time so as to get to a spot where he can change the tire, or get his car towed.

Run flat tires

The run flat tires were common in the 80s. But they are as popular as ever. Manufacturers are using these tires on new car models nowadays. The drivers tend to enquire about how these tires work and if they affect driving in any way.

Let’s check them out.

You can still drive a car after it gets punctured. But you can drive only for a short distance, or to the closest mechanic if you can’t change the tire yourself.  Your car’s manual will have instructions about how to change a punctured tire yourself.

Bridgestone run flat tires can be used for about 50 miles and you can drive the car about 50 mph.

How do the tires work

The flat run tires come with two mechanisms: the self-supporting system and the support-ring-system. In most self-supporting run flat tires, the walls of the tires are very much reinforced to take the weight of the car in the event of a puncture.

In the support-ring-system there is a very thick ring of hard rubber in the tire that covers the wheel inside the tire. There is space between the inner tire and rim of the wheel, and this rubber is around the rim of the wheel. The air tube runs between the hard rubber band and the inside of the tire. When the rubber tube gets punctured, the air escapes. The rim rests on the rubber that touches the inside of the tire.

Both systems can only be used in cars that have tire pressure monitoring systems. This system alerts the driver as any one of the tubes starts losing air pressure. A run flat tire that comes with a support-ring-system, usually has thinner tubes, as the hard rubber in the tire takes up space. This type of monitoring system is even more important for such tires.

The benefits of such tires

As mentioned earlier, a driver can still drive his/her car to a tire shop to change the tire, or get the car towed away, if necessary.

Let’s see some other benefits for having such tires:

If you are caught in a dangerous condition, such as, caught in a flood, or are under attack, you can still drive the car with control. With conventional tires it is hard to manage driving.

Nowadays, every driver tends to look for safety features. And the flat run tires come with some important safety features. If you want to have a new car, you must opt for run flat tires. Remember that these tires are expensive to replace.

Repairing run flat tire

Unfortunately, these types of tires cannot be repaired, once they are used without air in the tubes. The reinforced walls of the tires become weak as they hold the weight of the car. The rubber in the support-ring-system might have got compressed by the weight of the vehicle. They just lose their structural strength. If repaired, they will get damaged. Also, remember that these tires are not perfect.

And that is why they can’t be used in replacement for the older, conventional tires. The conventional tires can all be repaired easily and cheaply. Since run flat tires are more expensive, just imagine, a driver will have to buy a new tire every time there is a puncture.

Conclusion

Repairing run flat tire is quite an expensive option. Apart from being costly, you do not get a variety of sizes for the different makes and models of vehicles.