Can you repair a run flat tyre with a nail in it?
Punctures can be a pain and run flat tyres can save you a lot of roadside hassle. But can you repair a run flat tyre that has a nail in it or any other kind of damage? To answer that question we should look at what a run flat tyre is and how they work.
What is a run flat tyre?
Run flat tyres feature a specially reinforced sidewall. This means they’re designed to keep running after a puncture so you can get to your nearest Protyre garage and have the damage assessed. Run flats make it easier to control your vehicle if you do have a puncture. You won’t have to wait at the roadside for assistance. And you no longer need to keep a spare in your boot which lightens the weight of your car and reduces petrol consumption.
How do run flat tyres work?
Run flat tyres are developed with reinforced sidewalls. These tough rubber inserts prevent the tyre from collapsing when punctured. Because it can be difficult to tell whether any tyre damage has occurred, vehicles with run flat tyres are fitted with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This alerts you once a puncture has happened so that you don’t exceed the mileage and speed for your run flat tyres.
How long can you run on a punctured run flat tyre?
You might not realise you have a puncture but that doesn’t mean you can keep driving for hundreds of miles. You’ll be able to drive for a maximum of 50 miles at a top speed of 50mph. That should give you time to get to your nearest Protyre garage, but in reality you’ll need to take the level of damage, driving conditions, and the vehicle load into consideration.
Can run flat tyres be repaired?
The short answer is no. Manufacturers of run flat tyres recommend that you replace your tyres rather than repair them for a very good reason – the reinforced design and structure of a run flat makes it extremely difficult to tell whether there’s secondary damage and the internal structure has been compromised.
At Protyre we don’t offer to repair your run flat tyres, but we can help you to find and buy car tyres from a range of manufacturers including Bridgestone and Falken at great prices.
Should I replace run flats with standard tyres?
Run flat tyres are OEM equipment on many new cars and they’re an important safety feature. But they can give a stiff and bumpy ride, they’re more expensive than conventional tyres and they can’t be repaired meaning you will have to replace them after a puncture.
If you do decide to switch, make sure you don’t mix run flats and standard tyres and that you fit tyres with the correct size, speed rating, and load index for your vehicle. Our qualified fitters can help you make the right choice.
Book with Protyre
Looking for new run flat or standard tyres? Let our user-friendly tyre search engine do the hard work for you. Just click the button below, enter your car registration or the info from the sidewalls of your current tyres, and we’ll find you the best premium, mid-range, and budget tyres to match your make and model.
We offer same day fitting across much of our range, however, if you aren’t sure if you need new tyres just yet you can book a free tyre check for peace of mind motoring.
