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I put on run-flat tires

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by PT Guy, Jun 30, 2018.

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  1. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    We got a puncture in a Toyo NanoEnergy A29 tire. I've had punctures before. What worried me about this one is the #4-1/2" screw left a hole in the tread casing that was too big to patch, and it would have been to big to be sealed by Toyota's included sealant. It had to be plugged, and I worried about future belt separation. I lost confidence in the Toyos. I had Ride-On tire sealant in the tires from the beginning. The sealant did slow the leakage around the screw to enable the drive home, and it would have sealed a typical small puncture. I'd use Ride-On tire sealant again if I did not have these run-flat tires.

    0-50-50
    Bridgestone has their 3rd generation run-flat tires, the DriveGuard. They claim to be able to run with zero pressure for 50 miles at 50 mph. Of course, by then the tire is junk. If the tire is still in OK condition after a shorter or slower drive, it can be patched, reinflated, and continued in use. I got a set, about $500.*
    DriveGuard Run-Flat Tires | Engineered for Peace of Mind
    Bridgestone DriveGuard Have Bridgestone Solved the Runflat - Tyre Reviews

    The tires run smoothly, and the handling is as good as the Toyos. The noise is slightly different but little if any louder. Reviews show them very good on wet braking, not so good in snow. I'm satisfied with how they drive. The Toyos were only 17# each. The DriveGuards are 28# each! 11 pounds of extra rotating weight is a big deal, but I think it'll be worth the trade off. The added unsprung rotating weight will have negatives for fuel mileage, ride over bumps, braking (harder to stop a heavier wheel), acceleration (harder to spin a heavier wheel up to speed; not a Prius priority). The added weight means it's a more substantial tire, probably a good thing. I don't yet have any electric range or gas mileage numbers. Bridgestone will also have DriveGuard winter tires available.

    *Tire buying tip---(a) decide which tires you want and if you want the damage replacement plan, (b) get out-the-door prices from a few shops...Costco, Walmart, Discount Tire, etc., (c) work one store against the other for the best price. Discount will always match the lowest price, but be sure they match free installation, instant rebates, any other possible deals. At Walmart it would be necessary to mail order these tires delivered to the store, then get them installed there.
     
    #1 PT Guy, Jun 30, 2018
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  2. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    I had Goodyear runflat tires on one of my cars and hated them. They were noisy and provided lousy handling, and turned me off to runflats forever. Hopefully, yours are better. Good luck.
     
    #2 KennyGS, Jun 30, 2018
  3. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Didn’t even know Walmart can get those, but thank you for this information!

    I find OE Toyota wheels are on the heavy side and looking at Enkei RPF1s as possible replacements.
     
    #3 jzchen, Jun 30, 2018
  4. KRB17

    KRB17 Member

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    Good luck with them. Sounds like a good idea. A flat without a spare can be very inconvenient.
     
    #4 KRB17, Jun 30, 2018
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    please keep us posted on your experience, all the best!(y)
     
    #5 bisco, Jun 30, 2018
  6. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Run flats came on my 1999 Plymouth Prowler and I couldn't wait to get them off. They were the original tires that came on all Prowlers and everyone takes them off and I have never heard of anyone putting them back on after removing them. The Prowler can't carry a spare tire because it only has a 6 inch deep trunk and runs two different size tires so a spare is not an option. The biggest disadvantage with the Prowler was the ride, they didn't ride very well and that was the biggest complaint. The original tires were fine other than ride. I think they were Goodyear Eagle and you can't get them anymore.

     
    #6 padroo, Jun 30, 2018
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  7. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I was a member of class action lawsuit against Toyota and manufactures of run-flat tires that came with AWD Sienna back in 2005. The tires lasted only 15-20K miles without any punches. There was no tread warranty. It costed $250 a piece and very hard to find. It needed special installation equipments that many tire shop did not have. If one tire goes, you had to change all 4 tires. And worst thing was, it did not run after having flat. I ended up getting second set of run-flat tires free from Toyota after the first set had flat, but after second set of run flat had flat, I switched to regular tires. Maybe they improved the run-flat technology since then, but I am still not convinced. Let us know how your experiment goes. Good luck.
     
    #7 Salamander_King, Jun 30, 2018
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  8. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    When I think of runflat tires I think BMW.
     
    #8 padroo, Jun 30, 2018
  9. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    I think of a tank.
     
    #9 Starship16, Jun 30, 2018
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  10. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    :LOL::LOL::LOL:
     
    #10 padroo, Jun 30, 2018
  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    #11 Salamander_King, Jun 30, 2018
    Starship16 and padroo like this.
  12. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    #12 padroo, Jun 30, 2018
  13. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Apparently, airless tires for cars also exist. Though I have no idea, if they make one for Prime size. lol
     
    #13 Salamander_King, Jun 30, 2018
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  14. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    These 3rd generation RF tires seem to be a big improvement over the earlier versions. 60,000 mile tread life warranty. Good ride and good handling. The video review I posted above describes this well, and my experience is the same.

    A photo of the cross-section from Bridgestone shows the sidewall liner as an orange material. Maybe...orange is a sign of the polymers from a British company, d3o. They have rate sensitive polymers that are flexible with low rate flexing or impact and little to no flexibility with high rate inputs. One demo video shows a guy wrapping putty like material around his finger, hitting it with a hammer with no ill effect, then unwrapping the putty. The stiffness of the material changes that fast. I've read that the molecules slide together easily slowly but lock under fast movement. I'm wondering---is Bridgestone using something like this for the sidewall liners? They flex easily when rolling inflated, but the loss of height when deflated increases the input rate and they stiffen as needed? d3o has many different materials with these characteristics, used in soccer shin guards, police impact armor, motorcycle jacket spine & elbow armor, helmets & gloves, and many more. Impact protection | Shock absorption | D3O
     
    #14 PT Guy, Jul 1, 2018
  15. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The hurdle for them to road car use is the noise. Leave the plastic cover off the rotor to our microcentrifuge, and it sounds like a mini tornado.

    At home, you can play with a 50:50 mix of corn starch and water to see the same principle first hand.
     
    #15 Trollbait, Jul 2, 2018
  16. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Of course you do realize that you are sacrificing up to 10% MPG with run flat tires,

    JeffD
     
    #16 jdenenberg, Jul 2, 2018
  17. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    Everything is a compromise. We decided to give up some efficiency to gain reliability.
     
    #17 PT Guy, Jul 2, 2018
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  18. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    On cars without a spare, run flat tires would be the first thing I’d get as replacement tires when the originals wear down, or for some other reason need replacing. If I could afford them some super light wheels to go with them....
     
    #18 jzchen, Jul 2, 2018
  19. litesong

    litesong Active Member

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    I use used tires. I like them. Even got good free used tires. Anyhow, I also got one used Pirelli Cinturato run-flat tire for $30. Due to their heavier weight, I was thinking I should get another one to "balance" on the non-powered wheels. I drive slowly in almost all cases. Should I do that or will it be OK as a solo tire used on one side of the car?
     
    #19 litesong, Jan 1, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2019
  20. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I think on the rear there is no concern but on the front may heat up the differential. I believe due to stiffer side wall they have different rotation rate than non-runflat.
     
    #20 jzchen, Jan 1, 2019
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