What Are Run-Flat Tires (And Are RFTs Worth It)?

A run-flat is defined as a tire with a reinforced sidewall and internal construction that lets you continue to drive temporarily when the tire is punctured or loses pressure. 

Run-flat tires do precisely what their name suggests. If one gets punctured, you can continue driving until you can safely make it to an auto shop or a safe place to change the tire. Consult the owner’s manual or tire manufacturer’s specifications for how fast and far you can go on a punctured run-flat tire — it is typically up to 50 miles at speeds up to 50 mph.

Run-flat tires are a temporary solution. You cannot drive on run-flats indefinitely, as they are not designed for long-term use or high speeds. Prolonged driving on a run-flat can damage your wheels. 

How RFT Technology Works

There are a couple of types of RFT technology.

Self-supporting run-flat: In most self-supporting systems, tires feature a reinforced sidewall structure, which will continue to support the vehicle even if air is lost. This design allows you to continue driving following a loss of air pressure up to the manufacturer's recommended speed and distance.

Support-ring run-flat: Less common today, support-ring run-flat tire systems use a ring of hard rubber or another structure to sustain the vehicle's weight in the event of air loss.

How long can you drive on run-flat tires? There isn’t a universal standard for run-flat tires, but in general, a run-flat tire isn’t meant to be driven for more than 50 miles or at speeds higher than 50 mph. The faster and farther you go, the greater the risk of damaging your wheels and car. 

When Can You Use Run-Flat Tires?

Run-flat tires may be used only on a vehicle equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This is because run-flat tires continue to perform even when the tire loses air pressure, and without a TPMS, you won’t know. If you aren't sure whether your vehicle has a TPMS, check your owner's manual or your manufacturer's website. All light vehicles manufactured on or after Sept. 1, 2007, are required to have a TPMS. 

RFT technology works in snowy conditions, too. Many tire manufacturers have engineered specific RFT winter tires models. 

To find RFTs for your vehicle, enter your vehicle make, model, year and body trim style and Tire Agent's tire-matching tool will list tires that fit the specs you enter. To find only RFTs, select Filter & Sort and then check Run Flat = Yes.

Pros and Cons of Run-Flat Tires

Pros of run-flat tires

The main benefit of a run-flat tire is safety. With a run-flat tire, you don’t have to immediately stop your car on the side of a busy freeway to swap out a spare. 

You can temporarily drive on an RFT for a limited distance (and at a lower speed, typically up to 50 mpg) until you're safely able to change the tire or get to an auto repair shop. If your car doesn’t have room for a spare tire, an RFT covers the gap a spare would fill. 

Standard tires can suddenly become difficult to drive on when they lose pressure. A run-flat tire handles sudden pressure changes better, allowing you to safely slow down and pull over to assess the situation. 

Cons of run-flat tires

Cost: You may pay more for RFT models compared to standard tires. You'll pay about 20% to 30% more for an RFT model, and because you shouldn’t mismatch tires, you'll need all four tires to be run-flat tire models.

Lower fuel efficiency: Because RFT technology adds weight to the tire, fuel economy can be reduced by one to two percent. That said, Michelin Primacy MXM4 is a touring all-season run flat tire that is also fuel efficient, plus it comes with a 30,000-mile limited warranty and roadside assistance.

Ride quality: Some say run-flat tires are a little noisier than standard tires and could decrease overall ride quality. That's due to the enhanced sidewall. Pirelli's Cinturato P7 All Season, however, is a touring tire for luxury vehicles that offers reduced road noise in addition to run flat technology. 

FAQs About Run-Flat Tires

Do you have to use run flats if your vehicle came with them?

No, you do not have to replace run-flat tires with the same type. You can replace RFTs with standard tires. However, if your vehicle came with RFTs, it may not have come with a spare tire or a tire changing kit. If your vehicle came with non-RFT tires, you can upgrade to RFTs only if your vehicle has a TPMS. Most vehicles made after 2007 come standard with TPMS.

How do you know if you have RFTs?

Vehicles that come with run-flats typically have no spare, jack or tire iron, which is the quickest way to tell if your OE tires are RFTs. Certain tires are plainly labeled "run-flat" on the side of the tire. Look for codes, such as: 

• RFT: Bridgestone run-flat tire
• ROF: run-on-flat, used by Goodyear, Dunlop and Bridgestone
• ZP: Michelin’s Zero Pressure
• SSR: Continental’s Self-Supporting Runflat
• MOExtended: Mercedes-Benz OE fitments 

You can also look up the tire on the manufacturer’s website. Make sure you have the exact right brand, model and size, since run-flat construction is often offered in only some sizes of a given model.      

Are run-flat tires worth it?

Run-flat tires are worth it if your vehicle came with run-flats and you have no room for a spare tire. Some drivers prefer run-flats because they provide an added layer of safety. If you have a spare and you’re comfortable using it, then the added cost and shorter tread life of the RFT may be harder to justify.    

Who makes run-flat tires?

Several manufacturers include run-flat technology in select tire models and sizes. Here are a few examples of brands and RFT tires:

• Goodyear: Eagle Sport All-Season ROF
• Bridgestone: DriveGuard Plus
• Continental: ContiProContact SSR
• Pirelli: Cinturato P7* and Cinturato P7 All Season
• Lexani: RFX PLUS
• Hankook: Optimo H426B
• Michelin: Primacy MXM4 

Can you repair a run-flat tire or do you have to replace it?

Whether a run-flat can be repaired depends on a professional tire inspection, and most manufacturers will advise against it if the tire was driven on after losing pressure, since that can damage the sidewall or interior structure in ways you can’t see. 

Can you replace run-flats with non-run-flats?

Yes, if your car came with run-flat tires and you want to swap them out for non-run-flats, you can do this. We recommend replacing all four tires at once. Matching brand and model isn't enough on its own: four tires of the same model wear at the same rate, so dropping one new tire into a set with 30,000 miles on it creates the same rolling-circumference mismatch as mixing brands. We explain why in our post on mismatched tires. We explain why in our post on problems with mismatched tires. Also, remember that vehicles that come with run-flats as original equipment usually do not have storage space for a spare tire, jack, or tire iron. 

What happens if you drive more than 50 miles on an RFT?

Driving more than 50 miles on a run-flat risks damaging the wheel, and at higher speeds it becomes a safety risk. The 50-mile figure assumes favorable conditions. Speed, vehicle load, how much pressure you've lost, and weather all affect how far a run-flat can actually go, and structural damage builds as you push past the limit. Bridgestone's guidance is to treat 50 miles as a ceiling, not a target, and to get tire service as soon as possible to limit the damage.

Are run-flat tires available for my vehicle?

Tire Agent has a tire search feature that takes your vehicle information and shows all available tires that fit your car. You can add the run-flat filter to see just the run-flat tires guaranteed to fit your car. 

Can I finance run-flat tires on Tire Agent? 

Yes, Tire Agent offers flexible payment plans depending on your situation. Once you’ve picked out a set of run-flat tires, during checkout you can view all of our available payment plans, and select one that suits your financial situation. 

*Not all sizes of all makes and models are run flat. 

Photo 177954349 | Sergii Baranov | Dreamstime.com