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Getting a flat tire is never convenient. If you find yourself stranded on the side of the road with a tire puncture, what do you do? You could call roadside assistance, but chances are you’ll wait 45 minutes or more for them to show up to either change the tire or tow your vehicle. Another option is to put the spare tire on yourself, but it’s a dirty job, and if you are not dressed for it, or it’s pouring rain, it will be no easy task. In fact, you may find you don’t even have a spare tire.

How do you prevent this unfortunate situation from happening to you? Run-flat tires.

Run-flat tires (RFTs) or zero pressure tires may be a good option for you. They are becoming more popular as new technology advances and run-flat tires are coming original equipment from some car manufacturers. You may be thinking, this sounds interesting, what are run-flat tires? How do run-flat tires work? How far can you drive on a punctured run-flat tire? What is the difference between run-flat vs. regular tires? Here at Hilltop Tire Service, we are evolving with the changing times and we want to help Iowa drivers understand everything they need to know about run-flat tires.

What are run-flat tires?
Run-flat tire technology is pretty much what its name indicates. You can drive for up to 50 miles after you’ve punctured the tire.

How do run-flat tires work?
Run-flat tires have a thicker, reinforced sidewall that is strong enough to carry the weight of the vehicle for a short distance, even if it’s been punctured. These tires will keep their shape until you get to the nearest garage or tire shop to repair or replace the damaged tire or up to 50 miles.

What are non-run-flat tires?
Non-run-flat tires are standard air-filled tires that cannot be driven on once it’s flat.

How does the driver know if their run-flat tire has been punctured?
All vehicles that are compatible with run-flat tires come with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which will notify the driver on the dashboard if there is a sudden loss of air pressure.

Do run-flat tires last as long as standard tires?
Yes, typically, run-flat tires and convectional tires are made of the same rubber compounds, so you can expect similar tread life. Despite run-flat tires' reinforced sidewalls, they will wear at the same rate as standard air-filled tires and require the same amount of maintenance.

Can I switch my regular tires and install run-flat tires?
Yes, as long as your vehicle has a working Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) on it, you can replace your traditional tires with run-flat tires.

Can I mix and match run-flat and convectional tires on my car?
Unfortunately, if you want to replace your run-flat tire with a convectional tire, or vice versa, you will need to purchase all the same 4 new tires.

Where can I buy run-flat tires near me?
All Hilltop Tire Service locations in the Des Moines area carry a variety of run-flat tires. If we don’t have the ones you want in stock, we’ll get them for you.

Advantages and Disadvantages of run-flat tires.

Still wondering what the big differences are between a run-flat vs non run-flat tires? We’ve spelled out some of the pros and cons of these twenty-first-century technology tires compared to the standard conventional tire.

Advantages:

Safety: More control if you suddenly lose tire pressure.
Convenience: The ability to drive to your local tire repair shop instead of being stranded on the side of the road.
More Storage: No need for a spare tire with run-flat tires, so you will have added space in your trunk.
Lighter Load: Because you’re not carrying around a spare tire, you’ll lighten your load.

Disadvantages:

Comfort: You may notice the ride quality may be a little harsher with the stiffer sidewall.
Cost: Run-flat tires are more expensive to replace.
Blowouts can still happen: If the sidewall is hit by a large object that destroys the tire, you still may find yourself stranded on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.
Availability: Because run-flat tires are relatively new to the tire market, not all tire repair shops have run-flat replacement tires in stock.

If you’re looking for new tires and not sure where to start, the experts at Hilltop Tire Service will help you find the tires that best suit your needs. Whether you choose run-flat or non run-flat tires, we have many options in stock and available for you. We take pride in doing business the Hilltop Way- Giving honest opinions, and trustworthy workmanship, all the while keeping safety our number one priority. Come see us soon!