Picture this: you’re cruising down Interstate 70, when all of a sudden you hear a pow and your car lurches, followed by the characteristic flapping sound of a flat tire. There’s really no such thing as an “ideal” time to encounter a flat tire, but there are certainly times that are less ideal. You’ll (Probably) Never Have to Change the Tire Yourself Now that we know what they are, and how they work, let’s check out the advantages of run flat tires vs. Support Ring - This type works using a ring of thick rubber that encircles the rim, which doesn’t allow the rim to scrape against the ground after the tire loses pressure.Self-Supporting -These work using reinforced sidewalls (the part of the tire facing outward.) The thicker sidewall has the added benefit of making the side of the tire that much harder to puncture, which is more damaging than a puncture in the tread.There are two basic types of run flat tire systems: So, basically, it’s the same rules as driving on a donut, with the obvious advantage that you don’t have to physically change it yourself. Drivers should also be careful not to exceed 50 miles per hour while driving on a punctured run flat. These aren’t intended to be driven indefinitely, though-once a run flat has taken a critical puncture, you have about 50 miles or so to find a tire shop before the tire starts failing. Run flats are tires that are capable of supporting the vehicle on the road after a puncture that would cause a regular tire to lose all internal pressure. Well, the name is pretty self-explanatory. So, let’s take a look at what they are, how they work, and how they can benefit you. In fact, BMW run-flat tires have been around for ages. Most luxury cars come factory-equipped with run flats, and BMW is no exception. You might be able to change the tire yourself, but this involves a lengthy process of rummaging through your trunk to get everything you need, jacking it up, undoing the bolts, and swapping them out-assuming you even have a spare tire. Most folks call some sort of roadside assistance, or perhaps even a tow truck, but this could leave you stranded on the side of the road for hours before they come to your rescue.

Worse, when a tire does go flat, your options are scarce. Can there possibly be anything more annoying than a flat tire? Whether you’re on a road trip, or within a few miles of home, nothing will stop you in your tracks quite like some busted rubber.

Cost of run flat tires