What is a run-flat tire?
First of all, many car owners don't understand what run-flat tires are. To put it straight, they are tires that can still run for a certain distance when they are flat. They will not burst immediately. Most people worship run-flat tires and think that they are only suitable for high-end cars. Put on run-flat tires. BMW and Mercedes-Benz use run-flat tires.
However, the reason why run-flat tires have not become popular in large numbers on the market is because run-flat tires have many "disadvantages".
Disadvantages of run-flat tires
1. High cost: The cost of run-proof tires is much higher than that of ordinary tires, sometimes even more than one or two times higher. Moreover, the material of the wheel hub is also different from that of ordinary tires. It is impossible to install run-proof tires on ordinary wheels. The models that can be matched are limited. Most popular models on the market cannot match run-flat tires, and the circle is narrow.
2. Decreased comfort: Due to the thicker side walls of run-flat tires, the tires are harder, which reduces the tire's absorption of vibration when the car is driving, making the driver less comfortable while driving and making more noise. Although this problem can be improved by adjusting the suspension and sound insulation of the car, the actual effect is not ideal.
3. High maintenance costs: It is necessary to drive nails to repair tires while driving on ordinary roads. The repair of puncture-proof tires is higher than that of ordinary tires. Why is the price of repairing run-flat tires so high? The thicker sidewall makes it more difficult to remove the tire, so the cost is naturally much higher.
Run-flat tires have some disadvantages, but they also have a life-saving advantage: they are explosion-proof!
The biggest difference between run-flat tires and ordinary tires is their explosion-proof ability. After the car is leaked or even completely out of air (such as a puncture), it can still continue driving at a certain speed. It can be said to have replaced the function of the spare tire.
BMW original run-flat tires
A flat tire can happen where a car owner least expects it, whether it's in a long road tunnel or on the highway at night when it's pouring rain. For this reason, some BMW vehicles are equipped with run-flat tires. Tire stability is maintained thanks to additional elastic inserts made of rubber compound, which provide a high level of thermal resistance in the tire sidewalls. Even without pressure at all, run-flat tires ensure that a medium-loaded vehicle can continue to travel a distance of approximately 80 kilometers (at a speed of 80 km/h).
So buying run-flat tires is definitely not a waste of money!
