Run flat tyres are specially designed to keep working for a short while even after they suffer a puncture. So if you get a puncture on a cold, dark night, there's no need for an uncomfortable roadside tyre change. Plus since they’re made to support your vehicle even when they contain no air, run flat tyres will help you maintain better control in a complete air loss situation than conventional tyres.
The main type of Run Flat tyre used is called the self-supporting system. In most self-supporting systems the tyre has a reinforced sidewall construction that can continue to support the vehicle in the event of air loss. You can’t drive on them indefinitely, though. Check the manufacturer’s specifications to find out how fast and how far you can drive on your run flat tyres. Most run-flat tyres will allow continued operation even after a loss of some or all inflation pressure for up to 50 miles at a maximum speed up to 50 mph.
Since they continue performing even though they’re “flat,” all run flat tyres, regardless of the specific system type, may only be used on a vehicle equipped with TPMS.
The TPMS alerts you as soon as one of your tyres loses pressure. Without it, you might not know you were driving on an under-inflated tyre.
Over the past decade, the number of car manufacturers who have designed their vehicles with run-flat tyres in mind has greatly increased.
If you are unsure if you have run-flats you can call into either one of our depots and we can check this for you.
Unfortunately, when a run-flat tyre picks up a puncture it’s hard to tell if the structure of the tyre wall has been compromised as the punctured tyre may have been driven on for an excessive amount of time or at unsuitable speeds (over 30mph).
For this reason, we cannot carry out repairs to run-flat tyres as the tyre structure may have weakened and no longer be safe to use.
Yes run flat tyres can be removed. The main reason people choose to remove run flat tyres is because conventional tyres are generally cheaper than run flat tyres.
Below are some other reasons:
Please note you must advise your insurance company if you remove your run flat tyres as they may view this as a modification.
Once a run flat tyre has been punctured and the technology has prevented the tyre from disintegrating, it is not possible to continue driving on the tyre at speed or for a long period of time. They are designed to give drivers a short period of time to get to a safe place to change their tyre, such as an auto centre or back home. The exact range of run flat tyres is difficult to determine and it can depend on variables such as speed, conditions and the load in the vehicle.
However, if your runflat tyres are not punctured, they will usually last as long as conventional tyres as they are made from very similar compounds.
As a general rule of thumb, you should avoid mixing different tyre types on any vehicle.
At Northwest Tyres we do not mix different types of tyres, as their handling characteristics may differ and this could affect the handling of the vehicle.
We are a local family business with over 50 years experience in the tyre and motor servicing industry.
Our premises are state of the art, incorporating all of the latest technologies to ensure business is conducted efficiently and to a high level of customer satisfaction. Our retail depot is based in Derry.
