Nowadays, many cars do not even have a full-size spare wheel; some do not even have a space-saver. Some car manufacturers have started to fit run-flat tyres as standard on new models. This makes it important to buy tyres Harrogate according to their needs.
Because there is a lot of confusing terminology used regarding tyres, it is hard to know what exactly run-flat tyres are and how to begin using them. The writer hopes to make it easier to understand.
Run-flat tyres are developed to allow the continuance of driving in the event of a puncture. Hence, in case of a puncture while one is driving, these tyres will allow one to move to a safe place without changing the tyre on the spot.
Run-flat tyres are specifically developed in such a way that, even when punctured, they will get you moving to a safe place to change your tyre, rather than leaving you stranded on the side of the road.
They are frequently fitted onto vehicles equipped with TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems), which alert if your tyre has gone flat to enable one to fix it immediately, preventing wheel damage.
You cannot continue driving as usual if you get a puncture on run-flat tyres. With each brand, there are specifications regarding the allowed speed and distance a punctured run-flat tyre can be driven.
It depends on your tyre manufacturer, but generally speaking, you should only drive very carefully and at low speed for a very short distance before seeking repairs.
Run-flat tyres are designed to continue operating even when air is lost. They have firmer sidewalls that allow them to maintain their shape even with the weight of the vehicle on them when there is not enough pressure inside.
The rubber in these tyres does not bend easily or get out of shape, so they manage to maintain their shape much better than regular tyres. Therefore, you can drive your vehicle to the nearest safe place to change the tyre without much hassle.
Many run-flats will allow a car travelling at 50 mph to travel a distance of about 50 miles once punctured. Again, this is a general figure and is based on distance and speed, which can be changed by the tyre. This should be checked before accepting it and relying on it.
You will not have to carry a cumbersome spare wheel in the trunk of your car.
If you follow whatever advice or suggestion is being given, you can avoid a situation where many people get hurt or killed each year on the side of the road.
Run-flat tyres are a bit more expensive than standard tyres. If your car already features them and you use them to help you through after tyre punctures to continue running the car, then it is worth fitting more run-flat tyres when the time comes.
It is best not to mix run-flat tyres with regular tyres. They work differently, and your car's suspension is usually set up for either one type or the other.
In most cases, when run-flat tyres get damaged, they cannot be repaired the way standard tyres would be in such a situation. Instead, often, they will have to be replaced with new ones.
If you wish to equip your vehicle with run-flat tyres, we highly advise that you also fit a TPMS system. If not, eventually you might not know that your tyre has punctured; it would be too late, and this might also cause damage to your wheel.
If you bought your car from a good dealer or garage and you can not seem to find the spare tyre or foam in the trunk, then most likely your car uses run-flat tyres. Basically, instead of carrying a spare tyre, your car's tyres are designed to keep running safely even when punctured.
Other tyre makers stamp “run-flat” right onto the tyre, which makes it very easy to note those particular tyres that will survive and keep functioning even in the case of pressure loss.
Your tyres may have codes in them, including but not limited to RFT (Run-Flat Tyres), SSR (Self-Supporting Run-flat), and others like ROF (Run-On-Flat), RSC (Runflat System Component), EMPT (Extended Mobility Passenger Tyre), and ZP (Zero Pressure).
The easiest way to learn what they are about is to refer to your car manual or consult a tyre specialist. They will be the ones who can explain to you what each code means and how it affects your tyres.
Does a warning light light up on your dashboard if you have low tyre pressure? If so, and if the vehicle you are driving was fitted with a TPMS, most probably you would be running run-flat tyres. This system will let you know if something is wrong with your tyres. If this comes up and you need to Winter Tyres Harrogate go for run-flat tyres.