Do you really need run-flat tires?

Run-flats still need air

Run-flat tires are not a way to skip checking pressure. They can usually be driven for a limited distance at reduced speed after losing air, often cited as up to about 50 miles at up to 50 mph. Check your tire maker's limits for your tire.

Advantages

• Help you reach a safe place or a tire shop after a puncture instead of being stranded
• No need to carry a spare, which saves space and a little weight

Disadvantages

• Usually cost more than regular tires
• Heavier, which can reduce fuel economy
• Tread life is often shorter than on regular tires
• Typically give a firmer, less comfortable ride
• Grip in cold weather may be lower

Can run-flats be repaired?

Generally no. Once a run-flat has been driven without air, its structure can be damaged in ways you cannot see, so most makers advise replacing it instead of patching it.

Can you switch to regular tires?

In most cases yes. A regular tire in the same size has the same dimensions and generally fits the same wheel. If your vehicle has no spare tire, you will need a way to handle a flat, such as a spare, a sealant and inflator kit, or roadside service. Check your owner's manual and tell us what your vehicle has, and we will confirm the right tire.

Pressure

Use the pressure on your vehicle's door jamb placard or in the owner's manual. Front and rear pressures can differ, so do not assume they are the same.

Why some cars have no spare

Many BMWs and some other makes come with run-flats instead of a spare, which is why they have no spare tire in the trunk.