Run Flat Tyres

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bbbnz

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#271669 21-May-2020 13:17

This might be a real noob question, so apologies in advance.
I drive a VW Golf GTI 2011 and have just noticed that when I had Bridgestone replace my two rear tyres recently, they have replaced them with standard tyres rather than run flats like what is on the front. Question is that will the cars Tyre Pressure Monitoring system still work with standard tyres?

Bung

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#2488766 21-May-2020 15:05

If they'd put run flats on you would have noticed when you had to pay for them.

Is the system telling you anything? TPMs usually come in 2 types 1 a module at the base of the valve stem measuring pressure or 2 using ABS wheel sensor to detect change in wheel speed because pressure is dropping. It looks like 2011 Golf could be either.

bbbnz

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#2488779 21-May-2020 15:24

Nah not getting anything on the TPM (as expected with new tyres that won't be deflating yet)

Decal

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#2488830 21-May-2020 16:58

I changed my car from Run Flats to normal tires and the TPM works fine.

Biggest change for me was how much better the car handled.

Scott3

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#2488867 21-May-2020 18:22

Having different tire types on the same vehicle (MA class, post 2002, some other criteria..) is grounds for a WOF fail. See point 2 here:

https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general/tyres,-wheels-and-hubs/tyres-and-wheels

Frankly bridge stone should know better.

Sadly you will either need to take the new tires back and have run flats put on instead, or replace the run flats with conventional tires.

bbbnz

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Wannabe Geek

#2488873 21-May-2020 18:31

Yeah, interestingly enough its passed a WOF since the conventional tyres were put on the rear while the runflats remained on the front. Only reason its now come to my attention is because the front tyres now need to be replaced and noticed when I was looking today. Based on the earlier advice of the TPM still working I'll just go with conventional and that way everything will match from tomorrow.

Scott3:

Having different tire types on the same vehicle (MA class, post 2002, some other criteria..) is grounds for a WOF fail. See point 2 here:

https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general/tyres,-wheels-and-hubs/tyres-and-wheels

Frankly bridge stone should know better.

Sadly you will either need to take the new tires back and have run flats put on instead, or replace the run flats with conventional tires.

Bung

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#2488895 21-May-2020 19:54

If you originally had run flats do you have a spare wheel? Maybe something else to consider.

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decibel

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#2488898 21-May-2020 20:02

bbbnz:

Nah not getting anything on the TPM (as expected with new tyres that won't be deflating yet)

What does the TPM say if you let some air out ? (while you are by the garage air pump, of course.)

bbbnz

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Wannabe Geek

#2488913 21-May-2020 20:08

Yep there's a spare wheel - so no biggy really

Bung: If you originally had run flats do you have a spare wheel? Maybe something else to consider.

darylblake

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#2488950 21-May-2020 21:13

To be honest run flats are not that good. Very expensive too.

I went up to omaha for a half marathon last year in december. On the way home my run flat tyre was a bit off and i realized but I didnt really have much other option. Finally got 3/4 of the way back to auckland and it was not in good shape. Had to stop.

I dont even bother replacing them with run flats anymore its not worth it.

Yes if you get the correct tyres then the tyre pressure sensors in VW's BMW's etc will still work. They dont have to be run flats.

Scott3

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#2488972 21-May-2020 22:30

darylblake:

To be honest run flats are not that good. Very expensive too.

I went up to omaha for a half marathon last year in december. On the way home my run flat tyre was a bit off and i realized but I didnt really have much other option. Finally got 3/4 of the way back to auckland and it was not in good shape. Had to stop.

I dont even bother replacing them with run flats anymore its not worth it.

Yes if you get the correct tyres then the tyre pressure sensors in VW's BMW's etc will still work. They dont have to be run flats.

Run flat tires are only intended for travel at reduced speeds (90km/h max) and short distance's (16km - 80km depending on tire type). Really they are just intended to get you somewhere safe to stop and wait for a tow truck or tire service.

Generally the motivation for manufactures to fit run flat tires is that they can get rid of the spare tire. This saves cost & weights (improving acceleration & fuel economy), frees up boot space, and design constraints in this area given every increasing tire and wheel sizes.

Very unusual that run flat tires would be fitted to a car with a spare tire, like OP has. It is a pretty safe assumption that run flats were not the OEM fitment on that car.

Automakers quote surveys of new car buyers in key markets like the USA. Apparently a decent chunk of new car drivers don't know how to change to a spare tire, and of those who do, a decent chunk would opt to call roadside assistance rather than undertake the dirty and potentially dangerous task of changing the tire themselves at the roadside.

As such automakers like BMW talk up the safety advantages of run flat tires, stating that they allow a driver with a flat tire to avoid stopping on the freeway, in the getto, or in a poorly lit area, providing enough range to get them to somewhere like a gas station where they can wait in relative safety. Not so good if you are somewhere quite remote.

That said, I didn't have an issue driving a BMW i3 (with no run flats or spare tire) between cities. I have done quite a bit of driving in my time, and never have had to change a tire at the roadside. (Have used a 12v compresses in the boot to pump up slow leaks to get me to a tire shop a few times)

Geektastic

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#2489335 22-May-2020 11:36

A bit OT but someone might be interested.

You used to be able to get a product for Range Rovers (and perhaps other cars but I only encountered it in relation to RR) which was akin to two semi-circular blocks. You removed the tyre from the wheel and then bolted them on to take up most of the space normally filled with air. Then the tyre was refitted over them.

The Police fitted them as standard to their Range Rover motorway patrol cars.

The idea was that the tyre could not come off the rim in a blowout and the car could be driven on flat tyres because it was effectively resting on the blocks round the wheel inside the tyre.

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Fred99

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#2489454 22-May-2020 13:38

Geektastic:

You removed the tyre from the wheel and then bolted them on to take up most of the space normally filled with air. Then the tyre was refitted over them.

These maybe:

https://runflatinternational.com/

Geektastic

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#2489872 22-May-2020 23:04

Fred99:

Geektastic:

You removed the tyre from the wheel and then bolted them on to take up most of the space normally filled with air. Then the tyre was refitted over them.

These maybe:

https://runflatinternational.com/

Yes that is the thing. They used to be listed in the Land Rover parts catalogue. Not sure if they still are.