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If you are in the market for new tires and your vehicle is part of the 13-14% of vehicles that came factory installed with run-flats then you may be wondering, are run-flat tires worth it for my California-based vehicle?

This is a good question that is often asked by vehicle owners with OEM (original equipment) run-flat tires. The answer isn’t as straightforward, but in this blog, we’ll try to offer pros and cons for a run-flat tire so you can make the best decision for your situation.

As you may already know, heat can be a tire's worst enemy. The hotter a tire gets, the higher the risk of failure. Hot weather can impact tires much more severely than cold weather because tires build pressure and overheat much more quickly, which can cause tire blowouts. Given the hotter summers and milder winters in California, heat is likely to be a culprit in case of a tire blowout. For this reason, run-flat tires can be an ideal solution.

Let’s discuss the Pros and Cons of a run-flat tire:

PROS

• Stability: As this type of tire can hold the vehicle for miles without air, a sudden deflation results in less weight transfer and tread destabilization. Steering and handling remain near normal after a blowout.
   
• Safety The primary advantage of a run-flat tire is that you can drive on a flat tire for about 100 miles after all the air escapes the tire. If a flat develops, you don't have to get out of the car on a busy highway, in cold weather, in the rain or in the dark. Drivers will usually have to reduce speed to about 50 mph to get the maximum range. The owner's manual will have exact figures for each tire/vehicle application.
   
• Fuel efficiency: With the spare wheel and tire repair tools removed, the vehicle's weight is lower and thus results in some (very limited) fuel efficiency. 

CONS

• Reduced tread life: According to a J.D. Power research from 2013, people who used run-flat tires replaced them 6,000 miles sooner than those who used traditional tires. The cause for this is unknown, but one suggestion is that tire manufacturers used a soft tread compound on a run-flat tire to compensate for the rough ride. Tread life is reduced as a result of the softer compound. It's proven difficult to find reliable information on the durability of run-flat tires. However, owners with run-flat tires expressed higher overall satisfaction in a 2018 J.D. Power owner survey.
   
• No spare: Vehicles with run-flat tires don't have a spare wheel or tire, and they also don't have a jack or tools. Indeed, removing the spare tire and repurposing the space for anything else (styling, a third-row seat, interior space, etc.) is one of the main reasons why carmakers offer run-flat tires. Unfortunately, this will also leave you at the mercy of a tow truck.
   
• Less repairs & more frequent replacements: According to J.D. Power, Consumers with vehicles equipped with run-flat tires are roughly twice as likely as those with vehicles equipped with conventional tires to have to replace a tire due to a flat or blowout.
   
• Higher cost: Average run-flat tire costs $40 - $70 more than its non-run flat counterpart.
   
• Inferior Ride Quality: Run-flat tires have stiffer sidewalls to support the weight of the vehicle in case of a flat. The stiffness of the sidewalls often leads to a harsher ride.

If you prefer convenience and/or fuel efficiency over everything else, then the run-flat technology is for you!  

Daniels Tire Service is family-owned and operated and one of the oldest tire retailers in California. If you are in the market for tires in the Bermuda Dunes, CA area then check out our large selection of highly competitive tires at danielstireservice.com