Run-flat tyres are an ideal option for drivers who live remotely and who want the convenience of being able to continue their journey following a puncture or tyre damage.
There are a diverse range of tyre brands that manufacture their own run-flat tyres – including premium brands like Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Yokohama, Goodyear, and Continental.
The fitment of run-flat tyres varies from vehicle to vehicle, with different car brands compatible with different run-flat tyre brands and models. Check your vehicle handbook for recommendations or visit our dedicated vehicle brand pages for more information.
While some cars and vehicles come equipped with run-flat tyres as original equipment fitments, (including BMW cars and Volkswagen cars), others don’t.
It is usually possible to switch the type of tyre on your car, changing normal tyres for run-flat tyres, as long as your vehicle is fitted with a TPMS. This system enables the driver to effectively monitor tyre pressure and track tyre damage, even after the self-supporting run-flat system has kicked in.
If you are considering switching from normal tyres to run-flat tyres, it’s important to note that run-flat tyres are both more expensive and heavier than normal tyres, which may affect vehicle handling and performance. You also need to make sure to choose the correct tyre size as well as speed and load rating.
Run-flat tyres cost more than normal tyres initially, but they bring a range of benefits to the vehicle that optimise convenience, peace of mind, and safety. So, while more expensive, they are also a high-value investment.
If your tyre gets a puncture or suddenly loses its air pressure, the reinforced tyre sidewall of a run-flat tyre will kick in and keep it moving seamlessly. However, you do need to adjust driving behaviour to ensure safety – limiting onward travel to 50 miles and driving no faster than 50mph.
Run-flat tyres boast a similar tyre tread wear rate to regular car tyres – the only real difference is the reinforced sidewall which allows the tyre to hold its shape after a loss of pressure. Because of this, the wear and replacement rate of run-flat tyres is usually about the same as a standard car tyre – with replacement recommended every 5 to 10 years depending on driving distances and behaviours.
Once a run-flat tyre has lost its tyre pressure, the reinforced sidewall is put under high pressure to keep the tyre moving. This causes damage to the tyre structure which is not suitable for repair, even when driving at the reduced speed of 50mph.
So, once the run-flat mechanism of your tyres has been activated and you have driven on the reinforced sidewall, your tyres will need to be replaced at the garage.
Run-flat tyres are often reported to generate more noise when driving, because of the much firmer construction. This also impacts comfort, as the hard build and structure of the tyre reacts more to lumps and bumps on the road.
Standard run-flat tyres are just like regular tyres, only with a rigid sidewall which can hold the weight of the vehicle. This does not affect the rubber compound, which is still susceptible to damage from the terrain or road surface.
If you want to take your vehicle off-road or navigate different terrains, you will need to opt for all-terrain run-flat tyres which combine the reinforced structure with a toucher rubber compound which can traverse and navigate different conditions.
For those drivers who want to benefit from the optimised performance of winter tyres and summer tyres at different times of the year, these design characteristics can be combined with run-flat capability – provided you choose the right tyre brands.
Pirelli, Michelin, and Goodyear are all known for manufacturing premium run-flat winter tyres and summer tyres, as well as all-season tyres for versatile UK driving.
