At one time or another, every motorist will suffer a punctured tyre. While a puncture is usually more of an inconvenience and unwanted expense, it can be a dangerous experience changing a flat tyre on a busy road. Made famous by BMW, run-flat tyres are rising in popularity in Australia as they allow you to continue your journey and safely arrive at a destination, even with a puncture. Safety T Tyre is Australia’s leading supplier of high quality tyre pressure monitoring systems. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about run-flat tyres, including what they are and how they work and why you need to use a tyre pressure monitoring system in conjunction.
What are Run-Flat Tyres?
Run-flat tyres are designed to continue working and keep the all parts of the tyre secure and where they need to be, even after a puncture or experiencing a loss of pressure. While being subject to distance limitations, run-flat tyres allow the motorist to continue their journey, usually up to 80 kilometres (at speeds of up to 80km p/h), without having to stop and replace the punctured tyre. This eliminates the need for carrying around a spare tyre, which can end up saving you money on petrol over time.
How Do They Work?
Run-flat tyres have a reinforced sidewall which stops the rim of the wheel touching the road in the event that the tyre loses all of its inflation. With regular tyres, the air is what holds the vehicle up, making it impossible to continue driving with a flat, the rubber inserts in the run-flat tyres are capable of carrying the weight of the car after a puncture.
The Benefits of Run-Flat Tyres
Run-flat tyres offer a range of benefits over conventional tyres, including:
- Increased safety – in the event of sudden tyre deflation the vehicle remains controllable
- Less inconvenience – no need to change tyre and wheel assembly at roadside
- Weight and space saving – you don’t need to carry a spare tyre
What Are the Disadvantages?
Even though run-flat tyres eliminate the possibility of being stranded on the side of the road with a flat tyre, there are some downsides and these include:
- Some motorists experience an uncomfortable and bumpy ride due to the stiff sidewall
- They are often much more expensive than regular tyres
- The grip is not considered to be as good as that of regular tyres
- They aren’t suitable for country driving or long road trips where you may be further than 80km from a destination
- In most cases, tyre manufacturers won’t repair run-flats so you will need to purchase a new one in the event of a puncture
- A reinforced tyre wall makes the tyre heavier. This increases the rolling resistance and makes the motor work harder to drive the car which decreases fuel economy
- Being not as popular as regular tyres, you will have limited options for which brands and tyres you can choose
Using a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System with Run-Flat Tyres
It is essential when using run-flat tyres that they are operated in conjunction with a tyre pressure monitoring system. A tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) lets the driver know when a sudden loss of pressure has occurred on one or more of their tyres. As run-flat tyres are designed to minimise the difference in ride quality when a tyre is punctured, this makes it difficult for a driver to notice when they have a puncture. The tyre pressure monitoring system will signal to the driver that the tyre needs to be changed as soon as possible, without the TPMS, the driver not be aware of a loss of pressure they may well exceed the safety limits imposed by the manufacturer.
Whether you choose run-flat tyres or standard tyres for your vehicle, a quality tyre pressure monitoring system should be part of every driver’s inventory. For the best TPMS get in touch with Safe T Tyre today. Australian owned and operated, we believe in sourcing the best products at the most competitive prices, ensuring every Australian has the best quality safety equipment for their needs and budget. Browse our range online today or call us on 1800 876 700.