Using technology that can be traced back to military applications nearly 100 years ago, run-flat tyres were all the rage for luxury European auto makers who didn’t want their VIP customers stranded or changing a tyre on the side of the road.
Like something out of a James Bond movie, the technology allowed the user to keep driving on a punctured tyre as it slowly deflated and beyond the point where it was fully flat.
It’s part of the tyre industry that can also be referred to as ‘extended mobility solutions’, and the sector can also include technology like self-repairing tyres or solutions that negate the need for the vehicle to carry a spare tyre (be it a full-size or space saver) including on-boad puncture repair kits and air compressors, but given the prevalence of run-flat tyres on the likes of BMW and Mercedes Benz vehicles, we’ll explore this technology at the most length.
The tyres are able to run on low or no pressure thanks to a reinforced sidewall that steps in and keeps the tyre structured as it loses pressure. It’s certainly an attractive proposition, to be able to keep driving to the safety of a repair after suffering an in-service tyre failure, however the reality is that to achieve this, run-flat tyres make several huge compromises that many consumers are unaware of.
The extra structure deep inside the tyre’s sidewall that allows it to take the weight of the vehicle whilst the tyre deflates translates to a heavier tyre affecting the vehicles fuel economy, and the stiffer sidewall can translate to a harsher ride inside the car - hardly a fair trade off if you’re commuting in the car everyday.
A common misconception is that the tyres will function just as well with or without air in them, but the reality is that after the tyre has been punctured the run-flat technology is only designed to limp the vehicle to help rather than keep commuting, and its common to see their range restricted to around 150km at 80km/h.
The result is a tyre that’s rarely able to be salvaged. Unlike a conventional tyre that can often have punctures repaired, any puncture in a run-flat tyre and the resultant commuting on the compromised tyre often renders it completely unsalvageable, meaning an expensive replacement is in order instead of a cheap and cost effective puncture repair.
The other factor to consider is the extra cost of run-flat tyres, which can be as much as 30% more expensive than a conventional replacement tyre like the Proxes Sport 2. The Proxes Sport 2 is also covered by Toyo Tyres’ Road Damage Warranty program which offers a free replacement tyre for tyres that suffer accidental, in-service damage from foreign objects like screws, curb damage or even potholes.
Some vehicle owners might be concerned about voiding their manufacturer’s warranty on the vehicle by changing the OE tyre (the one the vehicle manufacturer originally built your car with), however if the vehicle is already out of the warranty period or has aftermarket modifications that would otherwise void the warranty coverage, then the move away from run-flat tyres can be an attractive proposition.
Of course, the move away from your vehicle’s OE tyre should be carefully considered, and if your vehicle originally came equipped with a run-flat tyre (primarily sold by premium tyre brands due to the cost involved), then your decision to replace it should consider more than just the cost of the replacement tyre.
Given that run-flat tyres are often fitted to high performance European vehicles, it’s important that the replacement tyre is of equal or better performance in critical safety factors like emergency braking in the wet and dry, as well as wet handling performance to ensure that the dynamics of the vehicle don’t drastically change.
We recommend Proxes Sport 2 as a viable replacement for run-flat tyres - a tyre made using the latest manufacturing methods in Japan to the highest standards. Proxes Sport 2 boasts innovative features that you’d expect from a premium tyre manufacturer, such as the dual compound technology that perfectly combines high levels of grip with exceptional levels of ride comfort, as well as the new tread design which improves traction across the board and provides a positive steering response.
If your vehicle comes factory-fitted with run-flat tyres and they’re almost due for replacement then you can be assured that it’s not only completely safe to switch to a conventional tyre, but that the move away from run-flats might save you money due to the lower cost of a tyre like Proxes Sport 2, as well as the potential long-term fuel economy benefits.
