Around 14 per cent of new cars come with run-flats as standard. They are an alternative to carrying a spare wheel in the boot. Run flats will be fitted in conjunction with tyre pressure monitor systems (TPMS).
If you do get a puncture, a warning light will appear on the dashboard to alert you to the situation. You should also be able to feel the car behaving differently while you’re driving.
If you get a puncture in a run flat tyre, you don’t have to immediately change the tyre, which is handy if you are driving at night, on an isolated road or don’t know how to change a tyre. You can actually continue driving for a short period with the puncture, which will hopefully enough to get you home or to a garage.
You must drive at a reduced speed and this varies from manufacturer to manufacturer so check the manual for guidelines. For example, Bridgestone DriveGuard run flats allow drivers to continue driving for a distance of 80 kilometres at speeds of up to 80km/h even with complete air pressure loss.
Whilst run flat tyres can provide piece of mind and added safety when driving, they do cost more than the ordinary equivalent. Furthermore, some run flats cannot be repaired if the sidewall is damaged and most manufacturers recommend getting a new tyre if a puncture occurs.
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