Runflat Tires
About Runflat Tires
A flat tire usually happens at the most inappropriate time or place. Many people call for roadside assistance but end up waiting for more than 45 minutes to an hour to change the tires. Even if you know how to change the spare, it’s a dirty job, and the chances are that you aren’t properly dressed for it. In the worst-case scenario, your car may not have spare tires. Well, the runflat tires are the sole solution to all these problems. How?
The runflat or zero pressure tire supports the weight of your vehicle for a short period. This, in turn, allows you – the driver, to drive the vehicle up to 100 miles of range to find a repair shop. Of course, this sounds like a perfect solution. However, car owners and shoppers must be aware of their trade-offs. Generally, the runflat tires are standard on 14 per cent of the new vehicles. While the number of vehicles with runflat tires has doubled in the past decade. In other words, you’ll now find the majority of vehicles from brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Mini with these runflat tires. You see, they’ve become more of a necessity than just a doodah. In this article, we shall know and understand everything about these tires and ponder on a few tips to make your buying process a breeze.
Everything you need to know about the runflat tires
The runflat tires are a broad term. They encompass a range of tire technologies that keep you on the road and out of any harm on the way. Of course, these tires seem like a superhero in several situations; they aren’t invincible. To fully understand the product, you need to understand the pros and cons, how they work, and when do you need to have them. Understanding all this will help you pick your best runflat tires online. Keeping this in mind, we’ve gathered a few essential points you need to know about these tires that’ll make your buying process easy. Moreover, you’ll have enough information to make an informed decision. So continue reading.
The runflat tires and potholes
The hazards of driving in the winter are well-known. However, the point to note here is that the season of ice and snow not just delivers slippery roads but also brings in a whole lot of salt and rust to your vehicle. Well, the same ice that cracks your windshields also damages the roads. And you’re left with gaping craters of destruction perfectly designed to damage your tires. But you can minimise the dangers of potholes with a little commonsense. Well, one of the best solutions to prevent this damage is to dodge a pothole when you encounter it. But, quite often, that isn’t possible. Well, that’s when the runflat tires are your saviour. Why? Because they have strong sidewalls that help you drive on them without any air pressure.
How do runflat tires work?
These tires come in designs that help you to remain safe and functional for a limited time with no pressure. This implies that in case of a puncture, you can drive continuously for approximately 100 miles until you find a repair shop without having to change the tires. But how exactly do they work? Well, unlike the regular tires that require air to stay hard, the flat tires have a reinforced sidewall. This means they stay rigid without any air pressure. The reinforced sidewall or the outer shell helps to keep the rubber in place without any air. This, in turn, supports your car throughout your journey. But, the sidewall isn’t a permanent feature. That is, it only supports a drive of up to 100 miles after you’ve deflated your tire.
The runflat tires for bikes
Can you get runflat tires for bikes? Well, that’s a million-dollar question. The first runflat tires first appeared around 10 years back. And they achieved the design by making the sidewall double or triple the thickness of the standard tire. This design makes the tires much stiffer. They feel dead with a little feedback. Moreover, they were also a lot heavier than the standard rubber. Of course, the weight isn’t an issue on a two-ton car where the ratio of unsprung to sprung weight is low. However, on a bike, any increase in the unsprung weight adversely affects the handling. Furthermore, the bike tires also have some flex designed into them as the demands on their performance change from upright to 45-degree lean angles.
The run-flat tires vs regular tires
Indeed runflat tires offer obvious benefits. However, there has been some backlash recently. Drivers have cited faster and uneven wear and stiffer rides. Moreover, often they have limited replacement choices when compared to regular tires. And then there’s this: though many upscale and sports vehicles come equipped with run-flat technology, drivers have cited a noticeable decrease in overall ride quality. But, many automakers counter this claim by stating that the free weight from eliminating a spare produces better handling and improved economy. That said, while you do not need to deal with a roadside tire change when you have runflat tires in hand, certain disadvantages can certainly flatten your mood.
Tips on how to buy Runflat Tires online
We hope by now, you must’ve gathered almost everything you need to know about this smart gear. So what’s the next step? Shopping? Well, not yet! There are a few more significant things you need to consider before you head to buy runflat tires online in UAE. These fundamental elements will make your decision making the process a lot simpler. Keeping this in mind, we’ve listed a few tips to consider when purchasing the tires online.
- Know your vehicle model – As mentioned earlier in the article, typically more than 14% of the vehicles these days come with runflat tires. However, when they do not, you need to purchase one. And remember, one of the first and foremost steps to perform before you buy one, is to check out our vehicle model and its requirements.
- Check out the compatibility – Just as stated above, the type of your vehicle plays a crucial role in selecting your tires. In other words, you must first understand your vehicle tire requirements, and then pick a runflat tire that matches your vehicle model. One wrong choice and could cost you your life and car.
- Do not compromise on quality – Indeed, model and tire compatibility is an important aspect to consider. However, nothing is as vital as quality. Do not ever compromise on the quality of these tires. As they’re the ones that’ll save you when you have your conventional tires punctured. Therefore, make sure that you pick the best quality among the wide variety of options out there.
- Consider the price – Higher quality tires always come at a higher price. However, you’ll find several other cheap runflat tires In other words, you’ll find many models at different price points. Therefore, it’s best to set a budget for yourself before you start exploring your runflat tire options. This way, you’ll not stray away and choose unwanted options and spend unnecessarily on them.
- Choose the size – Finding the right size is one of the most critical things when it comes to buying tires for running flat. Make sure you consider your owner’s manual or the placard on the door jamb behind the driver to find the appropriate size and specifications for your vehicle. Do not consider the sidewalls of your existing tires. The might not be the same size as the original one.
So there you have it. You now have everything you need to buy the perfect runflat tires online. However, remember whichever model you choose must offer you safety and control over your vehicle. Apart from that, ensure that you regularly maintain them. This way you’ll be able to use the tires for a longer period. We hope the above tips and tricks will contribute significantly while choosing your model.
Question & Answer
How long do run flat tires last?
Typically, runflat tires are capable of running 50-100 miles at 50mph after you’ve deflated your tires. Ideally, that’s enough to get home or to the nearest repair shop without having to change your tires. The reason they’re able to run without air is that they have stiffer sidewalls. This, in turn, holds the tires off the ground while you drive, even when deflated. For more details, you can read the product description section or user manual that comes with the product.
Are run flat tires repairable?
Well, you cannot repair the flat tire for running. That’s because, once you drive on them, they lose their structure for a puncture repair. If you repair them and try running on them, it’s highly likely that you’ll puncture them again due to the uneven wear and loss of rigidity. However, there’s a ray of hope. You can repair the tires, only if the damage occurs in the crown area. However, if you are not experienced look for professional help for the repairing process.
Can run flat tires go on any rim?
While the runflat tires today are much better in terms of design and performance, the tires back in the 1980s were very firm and offered a harsh ride. Most of them required a special rim to hold them in place. But, today you can even put normal tires on runflat rims. However, note that the run-flat tires and regular tires must have the same numeric size. For assistance, you can consult the sizing charts available online. Usually, you will see these charts on the seller’s website. Otherwise, you can call the supplier or manufacturers for assistance.
What is the best runflat tire?
You’ll find several types of runflat tires these days. However, you must choose only the ones that have the highest quality and performance. Well, you’re in search of top-quality tires then check out the brands like Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Dunlop, Hankook, Nexen, and Landsail. All the brands, as mentioned earlier, offer you a comprehensive collection of top-quality tires at affordable rates. These brands are known and trusted for offering the most reliable products that will last longer and perform well till the last day.
Where to buy run flat tires online in UAE?
Are you in search of continental run flat tires or perhaps the top run flat tires for sale? Either way, you’ll find them all in Shops.ae. Our superfast product search engine is a smart platform where you can explore, compare prices, and buy premium car supplies from a wide variety of options. What’s more, you can shop from over 500 popular online stores too. Explore now and compare products from different sellers before making a final buying decision.