Even though changing a tyre is an important skill, the idea of a run flat seems to be a good idea. You can drive on a flat tyre for a certain distance. The primary benefit of it, is that it allows you to keep driving before all the air is out. This gives you enough time to get to the nearest petrol station to pump it.
It would have been amazing if we could drive our cars safely on a flat tyre, but that’s not possible. Aside from the safety issue, getting a flat tyre somehow always happens at times we least expect it. Safety is the main benefit. When run flat tyres are punctured it could still allow the vehicle to be driven and handled like normal. Having this ability to handle the car normally is essential particularly when you get a flat tyre while you are driving on a highway where traffic is heavy. Also the risk of changing tyres during peak hours on a major highway is reduced.
A run flat tyre eliminates the need for a spare wheel, and tools such as jacks and spanners. The weight of your car is lessoned due to there being no spare wheel in the trunk. It is an added benefit to lose the extra weight while travelling as it will help you save on fuel. There are two main types of run flat tyres namely Self-Supporting and Auxiliary Supported.
Self-Supporting
These tyres have stiffer and tougher rubber, which can temporarily carry the weight of the vehicle under lower tyre pressure. If you do get Self-Supporting tyres you will need a tyre pressure monitoring system because a driver may not notice their tyre has lost pressure without it. They give you protection against blow outs which are a common and dangerous occurrence since the 1930’s. Self-supporting run-flat tyres are now common on light trucks and passenger cars and typically provide for the vehicle to drive for a distance of 80 kilometers at a speed of about 80 kilometers per hour.
Auxiliary Supported
In this system, there is an additional support ring or insert attached to the wheel that can support the weight of the vehicle in the event of a loss of pressure. These systems generally offer better ride quality because they can be placed inside a standard tyre. The run flat insert has an unsurpassed ability to carry heavy vehicle loads for long distances at high speeds. It is the normal run flat selection for military vehicles, high-level executive protection vehicles, armored vehicles used by government, aid groups, or private contractors in conflict zones.
Minty’s is amongst the leading tyre suppliers in South Africa, and is recognized for our high standard of customer service. We have built a reputation amongst our customers and ensure that they receive tyres and alloy wheels of the highest quality, amongst the largest brands nationwide.
