There is very little non-OE consumer demand for run-flat tires, according to Rogers. Designers now specify run-flats as part of the design. Nearly all of the brands producing run-flat tires do so for the OEM (original equipment manufacturer), and they come from the factory. There is also a little extra mass for the suspension to cope with, which also has an effect.” The added spring rate of that stiffer sidewall can be felt over every bump. Even when properly inflated, the reinforced sidewall structure is stiffer than the sidewall of a conventional tire. “A run-flat tire design relies on a thicker, stiffened sidewall to carry the load in the event the tire goes low or flat. Without air, a conventional tire is flat and the weight of the vehicle is supported by the wheel sitting on top of the flat tire,” says Rogers. “It’s the air inside a tire that carries the load. That’s all good, but why do they ride so harshly? 10 Things from the Motorcycle Show We Must Have.That cuts weight and frees up more space in the trunk for cargo. It also relieves the manufacturer of putting a spare tire, or even a can of sealant, in the trunk. Independent of the neighborhood, the side of the road or highway is a dangerous place to be. Fifty miles after a puncture is usually plenty of range to get home or to a tire shop rather than be stranded on the side a road with a questionable scissor jack and a rusty tire iron. Mostly, they are an extra layer of safety when on the road. Today we’re mainly concerned with self-supporting. There are two types: self-supporting, with a reinforced sidewall that can support the weight of the car, and "support ring" tires, which employ a ring of hard rubber around the rim that supports the weight of the car. We talked to friend of Autoweek and tire guru Woody Rogers from Tire Rack to get the details of this devil’s bargain.Īlmost all of the mainstream tire brands now sell some form of run-flat, including Pirelli, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Michelin and Goodyear. Your ride will go from barely tolerable as an enthusiast to not-at-all tolerable. God help you if you get an already-sporty car and add run-flat tires to the option list. Those of you who own a car with run-flat tires-tires that can go about 50 miles at 50 mph once punctured-know that ride comfort is the main sacrifice.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |