Run Flat Tires?

dsoohoo · 02-26-2007, 09:43 PM

I am considering the ContiProContact Run Flats in 205/55-16 for my 2007 Touring which has OEM of 195/55-16. However, they weight 27 lbs. versus the 19 lbs for my OEM tire. What effect would the additional 8 lbs. have on my gas mileage? I really want runflats for the peace of mind and safety.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

Rangerdavid · 02-26-2007, 09:49 PM

run flats are a very important consideration when running the next police baracade or during the get away from your next bank robbery......... those spike sticks can really ruin your day during a get away when your mind is on all the cash in that bag in the back seat..... and how to dump your idiot associate sitting next to you in the car.............

Squint · 02-26-2007, 10:26 PM

I suspect they might have very high rolling resistance. You would lose more energy to rolling resistance than to mass.

Beryl Octet · 02-26-2007, 10:59 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rangerdavid @ Feb 26 2007, 09:49 PM) [snapback]397015[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

run flats are a very important consideration when running the next police baracade or during the get away from your next bank robbery......... those spike sticks can really ruin your day during a get away when your mind is on all the cash in that bag in the back seat..... and how to dump your idiot associate sitting next to you in the car.............

[/b]

Please. If you've ever had to change a tire on I-40 in RTP at 6:15 one evening with cars whizzing by your head at 85 MPH, then run flats start to make a lot more sense.

I have to think that extra 8 lbs is going to take some gas, and they probably do have higher rolling resistance, although just thinking about run flats its seems like they would be a fairly stiff tire, so perhaps not.

NoMoShocks · 02-26-2007, 11:37 PM

Any tire would be a run flat before I would change a tire by traffic like that. It is better to trash a tire than take a chance, so just keep driving until you can get well off the road. Think about the dash cam clips from COPS where the police have to leap out of the way as a car careens out of control.

Beryl Octet · 02-26-2007, 11:47 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Feb 26 2007, 11:37 PM) [snapback]397066[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Any tire would be a run flat before I would change a tire by traffic like that. It is better to trash a tire than take a chance, so just keep driving until you can get well off the road. Think about the dash cam clips from COPS where the police have to leap out of the way as a car careens out of control.
[/b]

The tire was trashed, it doesn't take long at highway speeds, and I needed to get past the construction barrels to an open shoulder.

luckyboy · 02-26-2007, 11:55 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DKSH @ Feb 26 2007, 09:43 PM) [snapback]397010[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I am considering the ContiProContact Run Flats in 205/55-16 for my 2007 Touring which has OEM of 195/55-16. However, they weight 27 lbs. versus the 19 lbs for my OEM tire. What effect would the additional 8 lbs. have on my gas mileage? I really want runflats for the peace of mind and safety.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.
[/b]

205s being a wider tire will probably decrease your mileage more than the weight.

Tom_06 · 02-27-2007, 06:09 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DKSH @ Feb 26 2007, 09:43 PM) [snapback]397010[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I am considering the ContiProContact Run Flats in 205/55-16 for my 2007 Touring which has OEM of 195/55-16. However, they weight 27 lbs. versus the 19 lbs for my OEM tire. What effect would the additional 8 lbs. have on my gas mileage? I really want runflats for the peace of mind and safety.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.
[/b]

I was getting some Nokian snow tires on my Audi a few years ago at a very large tire place up in Lancaster PA. I was looking at run flats and run flat adaptors while I was waiting. The manager there was very negative on them because of ride issues - increased noise and poorer handling. He talked about a little old lady who insisted on putting them on her new Cadillac and said the ride quality was terrible - harsh on bumps and a lot of increased noise. They sold them, they didn't recommend them unless you had special circumstances.

I expect that there may be some improvements in the 5 years or so since I was told this, but that 8 lbs of unsprung weight has to affect handling. Also, if the tires flex enough to have the run flat part press on the road, the harsh ride effects come into play. This may be less of a factor with the higher pressures we tend to use in our Prius's unless you run at the manufacturer's recommendation of mid thirty's.

- Tom

syncmaster · 02-27-2007, 06:45 AM

I looked into run flats 2 years ago and got alot of negatives from the tire places.
they need special tools to install them that alot of shops don't have.
They don't stock any tires so it would be a special order.
The tires are very expensive .

besides all that, the prius tire pressure monitor system SHOULD give you enough warning of a pending flat that you can make it to a gas station or tire repair place.

Texas911 · 02-27-2007, 10:22 AM

Our Honda Odyssey has the Michelin PAX run flats. We got a flat once, well my wife did, and it was a reassuring feeling that I knew she could make it home without stopping. The PAX tires can go up to 50mph and 100 miles while flat. I'm big beliver of the technology. We have the Touring Edition Ody and I can't really say if the ride is any worse than a non PAX Ody, but I wouldn't say it is harsh or noisy.

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02-26-2007, 09:43 PM	#1
dsoohoo Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I am considering the ContiProContact Run Flats in 205/55-16 for my 2007 Touring which has OEM of 195/55-16. However, they weight 27 lbs. versus the 19 lbs for my OEM tire. What effect would the additional 8 lbs. have on my gas mileage? I really want runflats for the peace of mind and safety. Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

02-26-2007, 09:49 PM	#2
Rangerdavid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boone, North Carolina Posts: 1,264 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 25	run flats are a very important consideration when running the next police baracade or during the get away from your next bank robbery......... those spike sticks can really ruin your day during a get away when your mind is on all the cash in that bag in the back seat..... and how to dump your idiot associate sitting next to you in the car.............

02-26-2007, 10:26 PM	#3
Squint Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 68 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I suspect they might have very high rolling resistance. You would lose more energy to rolling resistance than to mass.

02-26-2007, 11:37 PM	#5
NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 1,219 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 2 Thanked 49 Times in 31 Posts Friends: 1	Any tire would be a run flat before I would change a tire by traffic like that. It is better to trash a tire than take a chance, so just keep driving until you can get well off the road. Think about the dash cam clips from COPS where the police have to leap out of the way as a car careens out of control.

02-27-2007, 06:45 AM	#9
syncmaster Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 221 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	I looked into run flats 2 years ago and got alot of negatives from the tire places. they need special tools to install them that alot of shops don't have. They don't stock any tires so it would be a special order. The tires are very expensive . besides all that, the prius tire pressure monitor system SHOULD give you enough warning of a pending flat that you can make it to a gas station or tire repair place.

02-27-2007, 10:22 AM	#10
Texas911 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Houston, Texas USA Posts: 229 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 1	Our Honda Odyssey has the Michelin PAX run flats. We got a flat once, well my wife did, and it was a reassuring feeling that I knew she could make it home without stopping. The PAX tires can go up to 50mph and 100 miles while flat. I'm big beliver of the technology. We have the Touring Edition Ody and I can't really say if the ride is any worse than a non PAX Ody, but I wouldn't say it is harsh or noisy.