Run flat tyres the benefits

Run flat tyres looking at the benefits

Run flat tyres are a type of tyre designed for your safety. Their function is to continue to operate for a small period of time after the tyre has suffered a puncture.

How does it work?

Run flat tyres are constructed with reinforced sidewall. This means that when the vehicle suffers from a puncture, and the weight begins to flatten the tyre, the strong rubber inserts can resist the weight of your vehicle temporarily whilst you get to the nearest garage or safely home. Their construction also allows the driver to have better handling on the road and faster reactions to turns than the average tyre.

How effective are run flat tyres?

So you’ve had a puncture and your run flat tyres are supporting you? How far can you go exactly? Run flat tyres tend to be able to support your vehicle for 50 miles at a speed of around 50mph. However this can alter depending upon the vehicle’s weight, the speed you were driving at and also the weather conditions at the Time.

Can run flat tyres be fixed?

Once the damage has initially been done to the tyre, it has been advised that the tyre should no longer be used and a replacement should take place. Once the puncture has taken place, it becomes difficult to judge how long the tyre has been driven on, therefore difficult to know the speed driven afterwards. This may mean the damage to the tyre provides a severe deprivation of strength and could put the driver in danger.

It is also becoming more common to find new cars fitted with flat run tyres. This often means the vehicle is not equipped with a spare tyre as it is not deemed necessary. If you decide to purchase a vehicle that has run flat tyres installed and want to swap to ‘normal’ tyres, consider you may need to purchase a spare tyre.