Remember when a flat meant a $20 patch and you were back on the road? Those days are gone.
I learned that the hard way: a single flat on my new car ended up costing me $2,000.
Why flats got so expensive
Run-flat tires don’t really “run flat.” Once they lose air, you can usually drive only about 50 miles, at 50 mph or less. That’s enough to get to a tire shop, and that’s it.
Most tire makers say: don’t repair them. No patches. No plugs.
And you may not get to replace just one. If the tires have more than 6,000 miles on them, most manufacturers recommend replacing all four.
Why? Today’s all-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles have differentials or couplings that handle small, momentary differences in wheel speed. Mismatched tires force them to work 100% of the time. They overheat, and eventually they fail.
My 3 hacks
1. Ask about a patch anyway. Manufacturers don’t recommend patching run-flats, but it’s not illegal. Some shops will do it. Be careful: some experts say it can be dangerous, and you may have to sign a liability waiver.
2. Skip run-flats altogether. Buying a new car that has them? Ask the dealer to swap in regular tires. They’re cheaper, tend to last longer and can almost always be repaired.
3. Shave the new tire. If a tire can’t be repaired, you may not need four new ones. Many tire shops can shave a new tire to match the tread depth of the others. Tire Rack is one company that offers this.
A flat should cost you an afternoon, not a mortgage payment.
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