Run Flat Tyres

Run flat tyres are designed in such a way to remain operational in the event of a puncture or a severe loss of air pressure allowing you to make it to safety, be that so you can return home or to your nearest tyre fitter.

Run flat tyres also reduce the risk of tyre blow outs which could be dangerous and a risk to the safety of the driver and other road users if they occur at speed.

Run Flat Tyres at Kwik Fit

Most of our premium range tyres come in both regular and run flat models. We recommend you check what is fitted to your vehicle already before making a purchase. You will find a large range of run flat tyres at low prices on our website  from leading tyre brands including Pirelli, Michelin and Continental so you get the best deal and a premium run flat tyre you can trust. Find the best run flat tyres for your car or 4x4 today.

What is a run flat tyre?

Put most simply, run flat tyres are tyres with a reinforced sidewall. This means that in the event of picking up a puncture, they’re still able to operate for a time in order to give you enough time to get to a tyre repair centre. You can generally drive up to 50 miles on a run flat tyre after it's punctured, as long as you drive no faster than 50 miles per hour.

Be aware, though, that you should only drive on run flat tyres that have been punctured for less than 50 miles and under 50mph. As such, they have to be used with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, or TPMS for short, because they still stay as though they’re partially inflated – so you can drive on them without realising that you have a puncture.

How do run flat tyres work?

Run flat tyres have much thicker, reinforced sidewalls which means they can be driven on for a short time after picking up a puncture. The tyre can temporarily maintain its shape and strength even in the event of a total loss of air pressure.

Run flat tyres have obvious safety benefits as the tyre is still able to be driven on in the event of a puncture allowing you, the driver, to stay in control of the vehicle. This isn’t to say run flat tyres do not need air and in the unfortunate event of a puncture you should seek help as soon as possible. It is advised that you should travel no more than 50 miles on a punctured run flat tyre, and maintain a speed under 50mph.

While the sidewall of a run flat tyre is reinforced, the materials used in its construction are, in most cases, the same as a regular tyre. Therefore, they will wear at a similar rate to standard tyres and should be checked in the same way for condition and tread wear regularly.

Find out more about how run flat tyres work.

Is it worth getting run flat tyres?

Run flat tyres can be worthwhile, depending on your driving habits, due to the number of benefits they offer:

• Safety and convenience: Run flat tyres allow you to continue driving for about 50-100 miles after a puncture, giving you time to safely reach a repair shop without changing the tyre on the roadside.
• Cost savings: You can save money on roadside assistance and emergency replacement tyres.
• Fuel efficiency: You can save weight and make your vehicle more fuel efficient by eliminating the need for a spare tyre and wheel changing equipment.

What are the disadvantages of run flat tyres?

Run flat tyres are more expensive than standard tyres, and they can be expensive to replace if they get damaged.

Sometimes, run flat tyres can wear faster and less evenly than conventional tyres. They can't be repaired or reinflated, so a damaged tyre can only be replaced, which can lead to more costs.

Switching to run flat tyres

If your vehicle is fitted with conventional tyres and was not fitted with run flat tyres at time of manufacture, we would advise against fitting run flat tyres to your vehicle. All vehicles fitted with run flat tyres require a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) which alerts the driver should the tyre receive a puncture or there is a sudden drop in tyre pressure. Without TPMS, fitting run flat tyres could be a major safety risk as the motorist could continue driving, unaware there is an issue with the tyre.

Similarly, you should avoid fitting conventional tyres to a vehicle set up for run flat tyres. Most vehicle manufacturers who fit run flat tyres as standard no longer provide a spare tyre or tools to change your tyre. Therefore, if you switch back to conventional tyres, you may not have the means to replace the tyre on the side of the road should a puncture occur.

Do run flat tyres wear out faster than normal tyres?

Run flat tyres often do wear out faster than regular tyres. The stiffness in run flat tyres can lead to faster wear in certain conditions, such as on rough roads or if they are not properly inflated.

Proper maintenance, including regular tyre rotations and keeping them at the correct pressure, can help ensure run flat tyres last as long as regular tyres.

How do I know if my run flat tyre is punctured?

Run flat tyres are designed to continue working even when they're deflated, so it can be hard to tell if you have a puncture. You should first rely on the vehicle's Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This system alerts you if the pressure in one or more tyres drops below the recommended level. You may not feel an immediate difference in handling due to the reinforced sidewalls of run flat tyres, which allow you to continue driving for a short distance even after a puncture.

If your vehicle is equipped with TPMS, a warning light will appear on your dashboard when the tyre pressure drops, indicating a possible puncture.

Can run flat tyres be repaired?

Unfortunately, when a run flat tyre picks up a puncture it’s hard to tell if the structure of the tyre wall has been compromised because the punctured tyre could have been driven on for an excessive amount of time or at unsuitable speeds (over 30mph). For this reason, we cannot repair run flat tyres as they may have weakened and no longer be safe to use.

If your run flat tyre receives a puncture, we would advise driving to your nearest Kwik Fit centre and having this replaced as soon as possible.

What are the best run flat tyres?

Run flat tyres are produced by a number of tyre manufacturers including budget and premium brands. However, as with regular tyres, we would recommend that the best run flat tyres are those produced by premium manufacturers and tyre names you are familiar with. Tyre brands like Pirelli, Continental, Goodyear and Michelin invest a great deal of time and resource in the research and development of new run flat tyres to ensure their run flat tyre products offer maximum safety that never compromises performance or control.

Run flat tyres at Kwik Fit

At Kwik Fit, we offer a wide selection of affordable run flat tyres from trusted premium manufacturers, ensuring you get top-quality performance at a competitive price. Whether you drive a car or van, our range of run flat tyres is designed to keep you on the road safely, even after a puncture.

Visit your local Kwik Fit centre today to explore our extensive range of run flat tyres and drive confidently knowing you're covered in case of a puncture. If you want to find out more about our range of tyre services, or need some handy advice, visit our website and our blog section today.