runflat tires
 

sorry if i'm repeating previously discussed issues, i've been reading some old threads, but haven't gotten too far back as there is quite a bit of material (you guys think you are james joyce or something?)

anyway, has anyone replaced their normal tires with runflats? i assume that using runflats would negate the need to carry the spare (and it's weight) around with you everywhere you go.

if so, are they expensive? do they function the same as any other tire?

i'm just wondering if the cost would justify the gains.

Good question. And would a can of pressurized puncture repair be the poor man's equivalent of run-flat? It wouldn't help in the event of a big blow-out, but when's the last time that happened to anyone who keeps an eye on their tire pressures?

If I'm not mistaken, a couple of newer non-runflat cars have such kits, rather than spares on board.

Pontiac Solstice, Honda Accord hybrid have repair kits rather than spares:

No spare tire.... opinions? - Pontiac Solstice Forum
https://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=20789

2005 Honda Accord Hybrid Review
https://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...08/033064.html

i had a can of puncture repair that didnt' work, it might have been an old can,so i would be a bit leary about going straight to the can rather than a spare.

the other thing i didn't think about was the weight of runflats, they might be heavier than a normal tire as they are reinforced on the sidewalls (i think anyway)

I would go for the runflat repair goop-in-a-can, but also carry a small 12V compressor. You can pick them up at CDN Tire on sale for about 8 bucks. I have one, and can vouch for its ability to get my tire up to the 50 psi range. Still lighter than carrying a spare.

i'll look into that,

what do you do in the case of a flat? do you spray in the goop, then get the tire up to pressure with the compressor?

I think so, but I'm not sure. Perhaps a bit more investigation is in order - ie. find out what's in the Honda & Pontiac kits. Feel like doing a bit more web searching? (I gotta get back to work!)

I suspect the manufacturers don't mind putting said kits into higher end cars because they don't expect the driver to do anything more than call roadside assistance anyway, and let the tow truck driver sort it all out.

work? oh yeah, i've got to do some of that myself, but i will definitely spend some time looking into this when i get a chance,

thanks for the info!

Last comment (!): my space saver spare & jack weigh 24 lbs together - the single heaviest item(s) that can be easily removed from the car.

A 12V mini compressor weighs 1 or 2 lbs, and the goop is of course lighter than that.

Here's my thoughts:

My friend just got a new mini cooper (he's actually not a spoiled, rich kid; we're pretty sure his dad bought it for him now because he'll be gone to college in a week and then he gets to drive it for 4 years) and he's so uptight about the run-flats. I told him when I drove I was going to do a burnout all the way down his street and he was freaking out. But anyway, the point is that I think the way they're built will mean that LRRs + jack will always be better than sticky tires and no jack.

However, I'd rather just pick up a tyre repair kit with the little strip of rubber and some rubber cement and a can of fix-a-flat to put the juice back in and call it a day. I've repaired so many freaking tires I could prolly still make it to wherever I was going on time, :p

I would never use any type of canned tire repair. Some of it corrodes aluminum rims. It can cause bead sealing issues, ballancing problems, and it always annoys the person replacing your tires. The best thing you can do is carry a plug kit, needle nose pliers, and 12v compressor. Just learn how ot find the nail and fix it. My wife and I have used the spare tire one time in 6 years with 300,000 miles put on our cars together. A sidewall cut will take you out of business. But on the other hand I used a 30 pack of plugs and then some. You can also purchase towing insurance for a few dollars a month. I have used this countless times. It has always paid for itself.


Now the lawnmower is a different story. For a tire that refuses to hold air you need "GREEN SLIME". Remove the valve core, squirt it in, and double the inflation pressure. Works like a charm.

well maybe for a short-term fix all you need is the compressor, if you have a slow leak you might just need to fill it so you can drive a short distance to a tire repair shop.

A lot of energy is going into this discussion about saving 25 lbs! :)

Which may represent a fuel economy difference of about 0.25% - 0.5% based on the oft quoted figure of a 1-2% fuel economy penalty for every extra 100 lbs carried (EPA).

As Dan knows, you can gain an equivalent weight advantage by just not filling your tank above half way.

I've only ever had one instance where I had to change a tire, and it was my own fault: I was driving too fast on a road I didn't know, at night, in rain, and missed a turn. I wrenched the steering, oversteered a bit, and smashed the rear wheel into an icy snowbank on the roadside, breaking the bead seal. The tire itself wasn't damaged, but I didn't have a 12v compressor then, and even if I did, it may not have fixed the problem, depending on how far the bead was off the rim (don't remember). But I did have a spare.

The main issue seems to be: if you have a blowout or failure that you can't fix with goop or a plug kit, and you have no spare, then you're out of luck. (Unless you also have a roadside assistance plan.)

Alternatives in worst case, no-spare scenario: put the blown tire on the back (if it isn't already), and drive slowly to where you can get it replaced. Is this reasonable? My car weighs next to nothing, so I kind of doubt I'd wreck the rim, but I don't know that for sure.

Another option: leave the spare in the car for highway trips, where the weight savings benefit is minimized and the inconvenience of a flat is maximized. Take it out for local driving where the weight difference will pay off more.

Killed my response, *sigh*

wow, that is a pretty negligable fuel savings, why would anyone want to pay more for runflat tires then? it there a benefit that i'm not thinking of?

"Cool factor" for one, convenience factor as well I suppose.

Space savings is another. Have you seen inside the trunk of a Solstice?

True dat, the mini cooper doesn't have that kinda room. Not like the small, yet surprisingly roomy CRX.

Here's what I did with the altima. For work and school I took out my spare and jack. When I went on road trips I put the spare and the jack in.

For my civic my spare is still in the car because my rear tires are bald. I'm just going to replace them with LRR tires and then take out the spare. Since my tires are bald I'm scared to raise the tire pressure. So I've been driving on 35psi.:(

it does seem to enter into obsession, not that i'm judging :)

but for me, i would like a scan gauge, but i can't justify spending $200 cad on it because it would take a damn long time to recoupe that money in gas savings.
it would be cool if you could rent one so you can see where you are driving poorly for fe, then once you have adjusted your driving habits, send it back to the rental place.

Yeah. Well, some people have golf... :D

I'd recommend eBaying yourself a version 1. Or just buy a SG2 @ $retail and re-sell it once you've had your way with it. You'll likely get 80-90% of your money back.

Don't underestimate the benefit you can get from it. If you use it with the honest intention of modifying your technique behind the wheel, it will pay for itself, no question.

Several times we've talked about buying one collectively to loan out to GS members, but nothing has come of that. Maybe we need to dangle the capitalist carrot to get the plan in action: Buy one, then RENT rather than loan it out, as you suggest. Matt, are you reading this? It would be a great benefit to "members in good standing".

I belive the run flat tires that come standard on new cars have a plastic donut, and require special wheels, so when your tire blows, it starts riding on the donut that is around the rim, the rest of them are just stronger side walls, also, are t here any narrow or LRR tires out there that are also run flats? I suspect not.
if you want to save even more weight when you remove your spare, replace the electric air compresser with a small hand pump, they take up less space weigh less, cost less and don't require electrical power.

We could all just get EV 5th wheels and this wouldn't be a problem, :p (I assume it holds some weight!

I thought runflats also include a pressure monitor. That would be a very nice addition to the instrumentation.

Not all of them. I know the H2 has it but my friend's mini cooper doesn't. I also know you can install monitors for like 80 bucks, right matt?