Run Flat Tires

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by: EvaArcher
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Word Count: 354
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2011 Time: 8:54 AM
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For some time now, car producers have been offering run flat tires as an option. Run flat ties can be driven on even when air pressure is lost. You can drive to a mechanic or to your destination. Cars equipped with run flat tires are less difficult to control when suffering a blowout at freeway speeds as well.

Run flat tires are available on all different types of cars, from luxury vehicles to moderately priced family cars. Car makers have embraced run flat tires since no spare is required. By not including a spare, car makers can save a good bit of cash and use the extra area for added features. Customers, however, may prefer having a spare as a security blanket or they might like the idea of one less tire ending up in a dump.

While the added safety of not having to pull over on a hazardous street to change a tire is a clear benefit, run flat tires are not without their negatives. First of all, it is not possible to drive more than fifty to one hundred miles on run flat tires. That might be all right if you do most of your driving close to home, but it may be completely unsuitable if you ever suffer a blowout in a remote or unfamiliar location. Standard tires are also going to be cheaper than run flats almost every time. Adding to the cost of run flat tires is the fact that manufacturers generally recommend against having them fixed. Run flat tires are extremely stiff out of necessity, so noise and ride comfort could be an issue for you as well. Many owners report shorter tread life with run flats as well.

You will have to decide between the extra safety that run flat tires can provide versus the extra expense. If safety is your primary concern, then the decision could be a no brainer. If you would feel better having a spare in the back and the total cost of ownership is a concern, then you should probably go with more conventional tires.

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For more detailed information on run flat tires, please visit Tires on Sale.