Five things we like (and don’t like) about run-flat tyres

Run-flat tyres are popular because they enable you to safely continue driving for a certain distance, speed and time, depending on several factors and the manufacturer's recommendation. It is suggested that the estimated travel range after a puncture could be up to 100km.

Although run-flat tyres can be convenient and space-saving (there is no need to carry a spare tyre), they might not be the most ideal option for all drivers, in particular frequent road trippers and long-distance travellers.  

Here are five pros and cons for choosing run-flats tyres compared to the traditional spare tyre.

If you're on a road trip or are far from home, the estimated puncture travel range might not be enough for you and your car to get home. Now that more Australian’s are embracing getting out on the road and with International travel (mostly) off the cards, this one can be a make or break.

Speaking from personal experience, one weekend I went away for a night in the Grampians. On my return journey home, I noticed that I had somewhere along the way gained a tyre puncture, thanks to the car's tyre pressure monitoring system alerting me.

Driving a car that had run-flat tyres installed, it also let me know that I only had about 80km left of travel on them and to seek assistance. Still a few hundred kilometres from home, I had to accept my fate and give the roadside assistance a call.

Given the time of the day, and it being the weekend, my car was stored at a local mechanics car yard in Ballarat (the closest major town to where I was) and then I had to get a very, very expensive cab ride home. As far as options went, I was limited. I needed to get home somehow, and the car was not coming with me.

If I had a spare tyre on the other hand, I would have been able to get home a-okay and without the massive $350 cab bill at the end, plus the cost of then towing the car back to me later when a replacement tyre could be sourced on the next business day.

In short it proved to be a very expensive trip in the end.  

On the flip side, if you do happen to be either close to home or a tyre shop, you can seek assistance with minimal issue. This means you will not be stuck in a dodgy area, or on the side of the road which could be quite dangerous due to other cars, trucks, bad weather and other road hazards which you may encounter.

With 80km-100km (depending on the run-flat tyre) of travel range in your run-flats, if you do get a puncture, there is a reasonable buffer to allow you to get to assistance safely.

Although run-flats are not built to be repairable, you will be able to replace them at the very least. Even if that means heading home and sourcing one the next day, e.g., if the puncture happens after hours and the tyre shop is closed.

Run-flats are not built to be repaired and you might not know if you even have a puncture without a tyre pressure monitor, which is highly recommended to have fitted to your car if you do have these types of tyres.

When I experienced the tyre puncture on my run-flats, my car had a tyre pressure monitor installed. In fact, without it I would not have even noticed that I had a puncture until it was too late.

Even on quick inspection at a service station, I still could not determine where the puncture was (and wishing it were an error). That said, it was not an error, and the car was very sure of it, making sure to alert me, evening suggesting how many kilometres I may have to get to safety or seek assistance.

Without the tyre pressure monitor, it is highly unlikely you will notice a tyre puncture unless it is quite significant and at that point rendering your run-flats useless and highly unsafe to drive. Also if you're a fan of reducing landfill and waste, the fact that the tyres only have a limited lifespan will not appeal to you.

Probably the biggest pro to run-flats is the potential space and weight you can save when you don’t have a spare tyre sitting in your boot.

Particularly in cars that have a two-level floor storage system in the boot, the second level is often occupied by a spare tyre meaning a reduction of overall boot space as well as practicality. 

If you are driving something sporty, you might also like the reduction in vehicle weight which would otherwise be a factor when carrying a spare tyre.

Although you might not necessarily notice the cost when buying a new car, run-flat tyres are generally more expensive to buy than regular tyres and have a shorter lifespan. Especially depending on how you use your car, you might chew through that lifespan even quicker.

And, there is also the obvious cost of a new replacement tyre if you do get a puncture. Sometimes run-flat tyres are vehicle model specific and not all tyre shops will have the required size needed to fit your car especially in an unexpected emergency.

Overall, I would prefer to have a spare tyre (either full-size or space-saving) than run-flat tyres and would happily sacrifice the boot space for it. For my own peace of mind, especially on a weekend road trip, I would much rather know (if I am unlucky enough to get a puncture) that I can either change the tyre myself or call roadside assistance.