The bad news is, new technology is altering Homo sapiens' evolution such that, in one generation, few of us will know how to change a tire, a basic skill man has been performing for millions of years. Still, the technology shows progress in our species. The spare tire is disappearing, and standard equipment nowadays is more likely to be a canister of tire sealant—or a cellphone to call for roadside repair. Unless, of course, you have run-flats.A cross section of Bridgestone's run-flat tire shows how steel and rubber combine to keep you rolling. For 50 miles, anyway. (A) Molded fins on the outer edge draw heat from the tire so it lasts longer. (B) Reinforced sidewalls keep the deflated tire from collapsing.A run-flat tire will run, uh, flat for 50 miles at 50 mph, enough to get you to a repair shop. It's built with stiff sidewalls so that even when deflated it can support the car. Though the technology has been around since the 1980s, the Bridgestone Drive Guard is the first to really go mainstream—and at a price that's comparable to an equivalent touring-grade tire ($100 to $200).

Can I put them on my old Honda Accord? Run-flats should be installed only on cars that have a tire- pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that alerts the driver to a pressure decrease. That includes most new passenger cars since 2008, though the system can be retrofit on older cars.Is it as good as a normal tire?Earlier generations of run-flats were too heavy, too noisy, and not durable. Pedicure Chairs For Sale In AtlantaBut the DriveGuard has a taller profile that yields a better ride. Ninja Blender Recipes For SoupWe maneuvered a Toyota Camry equipped with them through a tricky course with a deflated front-left tire. Die Trying T-Shirts CaboOne tight corner would have pulled a flat standard tire off the rim, but the DriveGuard stayed put.

Well, kind of: Bridge stone had painted a mark on the tire, so you could see that the tire had slipped a little around the wheel rim, something the engineers said is acceptable. It pulled a little under braking, and there was noticeable noise, but not the flapflapflap of a typical flat. On a wet course we found traction on both DriveGuard and Bridge stone's traditional Turanza to be the same.If it works so great, how will I know I have a flat?The tire-pressure warning light on the dash glows.What happens if I just keep going?In a deflated run-flat tire the internal flexing generates lots of heat, which destroys both the rubber and the underlying steel-and-fabric structure. DriveGuards feature something called cooling fins molded into the sidewalls to disperse heat. Still, they're pretty much toast after 50 miles.So, I can't fix it?Probably not, unless it's just a puncture in the tread and you caught it early. In most cases you'll need a new tire.Does this mean I don't need a spare?Well, neither run-flats nor sealant-and-compressor kits can fix a bent rim.

Plus, run-flats typically have a lower profile, so they provide even less rim protection. If you break a rim, you'll miss having a fifth wheel, so if you're buying a new car and a spare is available as an option, get it. And if you see a teenager, show him how to change a tire. For the good of the species. Or Contact Us Online “Located and repaired a slow leak in one of my tires within 20 minutes.” “Tip: Northside Social, next door to Arlington New & Used Tires, is a great place to kill time while awaiting your tire services.” “$20 tire plug, no BS, easy, quick.” "Update: The owner did reach out to me and apologize and offered a gift card. I understand the mistakes happen so I am updating the review. took my car in for an oil change. "I'll start off with the positive. They were fast and the price is great for the 3-year alignment deal compared to other places. The cons - the place has a tiny waiting area with no frills, the guy at the…" "The molding on the passenger door had come loose.

The dealer had said the work would cost $400. I drove to Fairfax Collision Center right after leaving the dealer. I walked in and asked for an estimate.…" heavy equipment & auto glass installation Cutaway model of tire of Mowag Piranha A run-flat tire is a pneumatic vehicle tire that is designed to resist the effects of deflation when punctured, and to enable the vehicle to continue to be driven at reduced speeds (under 55 mph (89 km/h)), and for limited distances (up to 10 mi (16 km), depending on the type of tire). There are three basic technologies currently available, described below. The origins of the commercial self-supporting run-flat tire started in 1935 with a tire that had a fabric inner tire. The tire was advertised as a protection against blow outs, a common and dangerous occurrence in the 1930s. In 1934, Michelin introduced a tire that was based on technology developed for local commuter trains and trolleys. It had a safety rim inside the tire which if punctured would run on a special foam lining.

The tire was sold for military use and for specialized vehicles like bank armoured cars. It was advertised as "semi-bullet proof". While the tire performed as advertised it was far too expensive to be a feasible option for most private automobile users. In 1958, Chrysler teamed with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company to offer Captive Air run-flat tires using an interlining to carry the weight. In 1972 Dunlop launched the Total Mobility Tyre (later Denovo) "fail-safe" wheel and tire system that became optional equipment on the Rover P6 3500 in 1973,[3] and by 1983 evolved into the TD/Denloc which became standard equipment across the whole Austin Metro range. Most recently, Bridgestone and Pirelli run-flat tires are supplied on some new model BMW cars. The automaker promoted these as a safety feature and as an alternative to carrying a spare tire. Self-supporting run-flat tires are now common on light trucks and passenger cars and typically provide for the vehicle to drive for 50 miles (80 km) at around 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).

However, if the tires are subject to this kind of misuse, wheels may become irreparably damaged in the process. In addition, if the tire is punctured in the sidewall or at the edge of the tread, repair may be impossible or unsafe. These tires carry a 20 to 40 percent weight penalty over similar standard tires.[4] The thicker sidewall also means higher rolling resistance, which reduces the vehicle's fuel economy. See also: Self-sealing fuel tank These tires contain an extra lining within the tire that self-seals in the event of a small hole due to a nail or screw. In this way, the loss of air is prevented from the outset such that the tire is either permanently self-repairing or at least loses air very slowly. There are also a number of retrofitted tire sealants which act in a similar way to self-sealing tires. These compounds are normally injected through the tire valve. The rotating force then distributes the compound onto the inner surface of the tire to act as a self-sealing lining within the tire.

Run-flat tire with support ring 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. The runflat insert, because of its unsurpassed ability to carry heavy vehicle loads for long distances at high speeds, is the normal runflat selection for military vehicles, high-level executive protection vehicles, and "armored" vehicles used by government, aid groups, or private contractors in conflict zones. The basic benefit of using run-flat tires is continued mobility in case of a loss of air pressure, due either to a 'normal' puncture or to a hostile deliberate act including a bullet strike while the vehicle is traveling at high speed. Performance criteria are therefore in terms of distance and speed at which the vehicle can escape without becoming immobile and the steering control over the vehicle during this process. The usual standard of performance, especially for military or security vehicles, are the Finabel standards.

Run-flat tires accounted for less than 1% of replacement tire sales in the U.S. in 2005. In 2006, it was expected that such tires would gain popularity with armored vehicle manufacturers, but growth figures were slow with one major model, the Michelin PAX System, no longer being developed by the manufacturer (though replacements will be produced for the foreseeable future).[5] A Michelin study released in 2008 found that 3 percent of drivers worldwide want run-flat tires. U.S. market share is well below 1 percent. American Honda Motor Co. announced that the 2009 Honda Odyssey Touring and Acura RL were its last models available with run-flat tires and with Honda no longer using run-flats. This leaves only a handful of volume manufacturers offering them as standard fittings and only on some models. An exception is BMW, who are the largest fitter of run-flats as original equipment. US President Barack Obama's presidential limo, "the Beast", has Goodyear Kevlar lined run flat tires. Besides the cost, which can be more than double other tires of comparable size, run-flat tires can not be run flat if the flat is due to sidewall damage, a common cause of flats.