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I have run flat tires on my BMW. I ran over a nail and I am getting mixed feedback on whether you ran repair run flat tires. The dealer is telling me I cannot repair a run flat tire but a local tire shop is saying they repair run flat tires all the time. Let's settle this once and for all right here.
About this poster:
Posted by:
Bones
(male, mid-30s)
(Posted 3/19/08)
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Can you repair run flat tires? Please share your experience.
Responses (19)
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Anonymous
(7/18):
I have a Lexus SC 430 with run flat tires. Yesterday I got a nail and was 50 miles from home. Canadian Tire repaired tire and we drove home at 110 K/h. Since this is only the second day I hope we did the right thing. Anyone outthere with same problem
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Rose
(7/31):
I have had run flats for years and have always repaired my tyres!! I had a mini cooper for 2 years and now have a bmw 130i. In fact repaired one yesterday!!!!????
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Anonymous
(11/13):
I have an Audi TT with run flat tires. I also got a nail and had trouble finding a shop that would fix my tire (I live in Mexico). I finally found one but was advised that I should change the tire especially if I drive at high speeds (which some times I do). Out of precaution I finally replaced the tire and kept the repaired one as it sometimes takes several days to get a replacement.
I am concerned with the issue that you need special equipment to mount-dismount these kind of tires and that replacements are not always available.
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Anonymous
(11/24):
I just got a rear goodyear run flat fixed on a 2007 corvette. So far no problems but had to got to three different tire dealers to get it done. $20.00 got it done.
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Anonymous
(12/10):
Absolutely, you can repair them. I have repaired a flat GoodYear Eafle F1 that had a huge spike in the tread. A bit more costly than normal tires ($50)
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martesayt
(5/30):
My X3 warning lights indicated a flat tire last night around 10:00 pm while it is raining heavily. As I don't want to run flat so that I can save the tire, I stop to the nearest Gas station which is about one Kilometer away. there I replace the wheel with the conventional spare provided on my X3 then continued my driving until I reach our place. searching the internet today, I was surprised that RFT cannot be repaired. If this is the case, I still prefer the convetional over RFT. on the positive note, with RFT's i was able to reach the gas station while driving on expressway on a heavy rain at night with my family.
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PLO335i
(9/15):
I have 2010 BMW 335i on order and asked the dealer this question. His reply that if you don't drive to far on a flat causing damage to the side wall you can repair. If side wall has been crushed at all then should be replaced. I don't understand the reduced safety aspect of repairing a tire that has not been damaged. The stiff sidewall gives the RF characteristic. As long as this has not been compromised makes sense that you can repair and drive on it with confidence. Am I wrong?
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bmwrocks
(9/30):
I have a BNW 128i and yesterday had a nail in the right rear tire, took the car to the BMW dealer and they said they can be repaired as long as the tire was not driven a long distance while flat and they do not "plug" the tires they will only remove the tire and patch it from the inside. I feel this is a better repair than plugging anyway so I has very happy with that. Also the tire only had 1200 miles on it so I was glad they could and would do the repair!
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whosbm
(1/29):
My 2008 328i with {RFT}got a nail at the rear right 2 months ago,I repaired myself fr outside,its been 2 months sofar..so I say they can be repair!!!
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Anonymous
(2/23):
Yes you can. I've had it done twice. Both times it worked just fine. Many tire stores say you can't. Bottom line is if the nail/screw is in the tread, it works fine. They cannot patch the tire if it's too close to the side wall (outside of the tred pattern)
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Anonymous
(3/20):
I have 335i and had a flat rear tire. The BMW dealer wanted to replace the tire for 900 so I went to OK TIRE for a second opinion and they repaired the puncture for 30 dollars using extra cohesive repair kits used for high end run flat tires. Ever since the repair, the car and the tire is completely fine. However, it is also important to remember where the puncture is. If the puncture is on the sidewall, it is probably not a good idea to repair it but luckly the puncture on my tire was in the thread which was repairable.
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Anonymous
(3/31):
Repair is OK on run flats as long as you didn't ride with no air pressure for some time. This will definitely stress the walls and effect the performance and safety. Most cars with run flats should be equipped with a low pressure sensory system to avoid getting down to extremely low pressures. Do not purchase the insurance plan from the dealer...they may replace the tire for the $600 policy you paid to cover the tire for 3 years but they are going to tell you that you need to purchase the other 3 to support the same wear to avoid damage to your AWD system.
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JohnnyG
(4/8):
OK. Here I go!
2006 330i Sports Package+++++ you guessed it! RFTs
March 22 >>> On highway & heard "ticking" from back wheel. Found nail in tread.
Pulled nail. Plugged tire > plug kit carried all the time. Have put 900+ miles on since. NO PROBLEMS.
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Anonymous
(5/23):
K first of all lamo. it dosent matter what car you have!!! its the brand,size and type. You need to make sure the inside wall wont be compromised by a nail rubbing on it or just plain friction. distance and weight does the difference. if the inside wall or worse the steel or nylon belts in the tire are severely damaged, then yes you need a new tire!!! the truth of the matter is, if you notice you are losing air fast, or if you already have a flat, get off your luxurious ass and change it to your spare. don't worry its a no brainer.
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Anonymous
(6/12):
only got 18000 on my rear stock RFTs on 2009 135i M sport... nearly bald! i got flat on one of them but had the tire replacement package... they patched it for a couple of days until a new tire came in... now i have one half worn and one bald
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Anonymous
(6/12):
to anonymous 5/23 there are no spares to change to... that's why we have the run flats in the first place, duh.
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oldgringo
(7/18):
Coincidentally spoke with my tire store yesterday about the pros and cons of RFTs. After he kidded me a bit about my wanting to feel every little rock in the road via the RFTs, he did say that some dealers are and some dealers are not 'qualified' or 'approved' to repair them. (He, of course, said he was one of the 'approved' tire stores).
It would seem logical that if this is true, that the tire manufacturers (such as Bridgestone for my 135i BMW) would be able to verify this. Anyone know if this is true? I live in the southwest and more often than not I could easily find myself way out between cities that are a helluva lot forther apart than the recommended 50 miles range to run a flat RFT.
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Anonymous
(7/25):
Just to let you know you can repair Run Flats I have a Mini Cooper and have had three nails in my tires Discount tires will repair for free and I have not had any problems with my tires and I drive the free ways alot.
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Anonymous
(7/28):
I have succesfully repaired two tires. This set is running on 32K miles.
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Responses (9)
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bucjames2004
(12/11):
Run flat tires are engineered differently, and no longer meet engineering designs once punctured and repaired. Most informed facilities decline to repair do to liability reasons and safety issues. Most manufactures mandate replacement over repair. Reason, safety.
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Anonymous
(11/22):
I have a 2009 128i cab--bmw and I bought the bmw road hazard package as bmw said that you cannot patch a run flat tire- other facilities may do it but a lot of them wont-- because of safety reasons- so its up to you. I wouldn't take the chance-- until I hear more about it.
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Anonymous
(2/19):
absolutely not repair them, air is in tires to keep them running cool,, if you lost air,, the tires will run very hot,, on conventional tires, you can see this on the outside of the sidewall, the side will wear down and get very soft,beause of underinflation, on runflat tires, the sidewalls will become very soft, and deteriate on the inside . When you dismount this wheel and tire, you will see how much of the side well has become dust. I work at a BMW dearler,, and everyone says , they did not go far,, but the tires only need to be approx. 10 lbs low to do the damage. A patch or a plug is not safe for runflat tires, period. Why would you put yourself or anyone else in danger for 300-500 dollars.
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JUMPER9919
(3/5):
OF COURSE BMW SAYS NO, THE WANT THAT 300-500 DOLLARS. WOULDN'T YOU, MR. BMW WORKER
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Anonymous
(3/16):
I recently bought a 2010 BMW, had a flat tire a few months ago. Dealer told me I could go somewhere and get it repaired, but he did not recommend it. RFT tires are not designed to be patched up. I got a new tire. I agree with the person who wrote,"why endanger yourself for at the expense of saving a buck." If you can't afford to drive a certain car, then don't buy it!
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Anonymous
(4/11):
It's interesting that all the 'Yes' posts are just that. 'Yes, I've had one repaired so their reparable. I dont think anyone is denying that it is technically possible to repair a runflat tyre but that is not the point here. When a runflat tyre gets a puncture the tyres sidewalls go through whats known as a abnormal stress situation. With no pressure in the tyre the sidewalls basicall support the weight of the car and as a consequence the interior of the sidewalls are irreparably damaged and get small tears that are bearly visable.
This is effectivally the same as pinching the sidewall on a normal tyre wwhich if done I hope you would replace.
The risk of thread seperation or a blowout is dramatically increased endangering not only the cheap ass driver but also the innocent preson driving/walking the other way.
THINK SAFETY AND REPLACE!!!
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Anonymous
(5/23):
K first of all lamo. it dosent matter what car you have!!! its the brand,size and type. You need to make sure the inside wall wont be compromised by a nail rubbing on it or just plain friction. distance and weight does the difference. if the inside wall or worse the steel or nylon belts in the tire are severely damaged, then yes you need a new tire!!! the truth of the matter is, if you notice you are losing air fast, or if you already have a flat, get off your luxurious ass and change it to your spare. don't worry its a no brainer
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Anonymous
(6/13):
Ok there is no spare tire! what would be the point?
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Anonymous
(6/27):
RUN FLAT TIRES CAN BE REPAIRED. THERE IS NOTHING DONE IN A PROFESSIONAL REPAIR THAT WILL DAMAGE THE TIRE. THE SIDEWALL DAMAGE IS SITUATIONAL AND DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. IN FACT, SIDEWALL DAMAGE IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS "RUN-FLAT". SINCE RUN FLAT TIRES ARE DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THIS, ITS LESS COMMON. SO YES, A RUN FLAT TIRE CAN BE REPAIRED SAFELY.
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Repair Run Flat Tires - The Verdict
