Run Flat Tire Puncture

[Lexnew]

Over the weekend we decided to visit Newbury, I parked my vehicle in a small car park a little way from the Town centre, the surface of the car park was quite rough and consisted of a mixture of hard soil and very course shingle. After shopping we returned to the car, I switched on the ignition and noticed that there was a warning light on the dashboard indicating low tire pressure on the N/S/R. I inspected the tire and noticed that there was  a screw/ nail lodged within the tire. I proceeded home(30miles)  on my deflated run- flat trying not to exceed 50MPH, to be honest I did not really notice a great change in the vehicle stability whilst driving. When we  arrived home and I inspected the tire again, I was quite amazed how the good the  sidewall  of the tire looked after travelling that distance without air. The screw had penetrated the tire quite close to the sidewall so I thought that it would be better to replace the tire. Kwik Fit refuses to repair run flat tires as they cannot guarantee the condition of the sidewalls if the tire has been driven without air for any distance. I managed to locate a tire through a company called 'Black Circles', the tire that I have chosen was a Michelin Primacy 4 Zero Pressure 225/50 R18 V 95. I have chosen this tire because it offers less road noise (69db) compared to my noisy Bridgestone tires. I ordered the tire(3 days for delivery) the tire was sent to my local tire fitting company.  I took the my vehicle to the the tire company to have the new tire fitted, unfortunately the tire fitter damaged the tire pressure sensor during the removal of the old tire. They did not have a spare sensor in stock but ordered one for delivery the following day. The following day I returned to the tire garage, they fitted and calibrated the sensor to match  my vehicle. The fitter informed that the tire pressure warning light would go away after driving the vehicle for several miles, unfortunately the warning light remained illuminated. I referred to the Lexus owners manual, within the manual is a section that informs you about tire sensor replacement. Apparantley when you have a new tire sensor fitted to  your vehicle you have to register the ID code, this is done via the multi function display on the dashboard, firstly you  enter into vehicle settings menu  and scroll through to TPMS and  them press 'change wheel set'. After this has been completed you drive a few miles and then all the TPWS sensors are reset.  This worked for me, no more warning signs! The problem with most modern cars is that are rammed with all kinds of  electronic wizardry, and it is sometimes very difficult for a person of my age to fully understand it, particularly if there is a fault. On the positive side of this it was thanks to my TPWS which  alerted me that my N/S/R tire had no pressure. I must say that I was very impressed with how the run flat tire got me home safely, not sure about injecting gooey stuff of foam in a non run-flat. I  am prepared to sacrifice a slightly harsher ride/ road noise and have decided that I will stay with run-flat tires long term.

[fourbanks]

i had the same thing, went for a week waiting for a new Dunlop with hardly any loss of air from the puncture. 

[johdhm]

Interesting tale.  I carry a small compressor so I can re-inflate and hopefully avoid running flat and having to replace the tyre.                        Also, slightly concerned if you replaced one Bridgestone with a Michelin.  Best practice says you should not mix tyre types on one axle.  Did your tyre fitter say anything about this?

[Lexnew]

The tire fitter made no comments about fitting two tires from different  manufacturers on the same axle. From what I understand  providing your new tyre is to the same specification as the one that it replacing for example :  size/speed rating/ loading and either rated as summer or all seasons, it should not be a problem. It is not recommended to mix run-flat tires with conventional  tires  as they have different characteristics. 

[ColinBarber]

8 minutes ago, Lexnew said:

The tire fitter made no comments about fitting two tires from different  manufacturers on the same axle. From what I understand  providing your new tyre is to the same specification as the one that it replacing for example :  size/speed rating/ loading and either rated as summer or all seasons, it should not be a problem. It is not recommended to mix run-flat tires with conventional  tires  as they have different characteristics. 

Not illegal just not recommended. All tyres have different characteristics under extreme conditions. 

[ALAW]

Ive posted previosly somewhere. I have had 2 punctures repaired on my runflats on 2 different tires. I wouldnt run any other tire. The big decision i have to make is what to replace the Bridgestones the car came with. Run flats are expensive. I would have Bridgestones again but im interested to see how others are. At the moment im going with Hankook think there called S1 Evo 3. Others on here have changed and like them. What should i be paying folks ?

[fourbanks]

i have the Dunlop that came with my UX in 22 which I find quiet. £285 each supplied and fitted by Lexus 

[Scotlex]

Good that run flat tyres appear to work.

I haven't decided whether to keep them or not.