Crap. 2 miles from home, headed out for a cup of coffee on a cold and foggy night, the runflat RED colored indicator popped on with an accompanying little tune. I pulled over under a street light to take a look-see at the tires...couldn't tell squat. So ripped through the manual real fast to see what I could find out...looks like I have a flat!

Questions...I wonder if the runflat indicator could be a computer error and not a flat? I will check tire pressure in the light of day tomorrow and see if I can verify any difference...I wonder what tire pressure the tires are supposed to be? If one's drastically different, I guess that would be a clue...

Of course I didn't buy runflat insurance when it was offered to me at the dealer. I understand the tire can not be repaired and I might be looking at $300...

Hope this isn't going to be a regular thing every 3000 miles...

John

 

Maybe I should have posted this over in Tires...my apologies. I'm reading some threads over there right now...mostly 1st gen MINIs...but some runflat indicators can be false. Apparently if the indicator blinks, it's a tire problem. If it's on solid, then it's a system problem. Mine is solid red...

John

 

I think you said it with your first word...c**p!! Hope everything works out for you. I carry a tire gauge in the glove compartment for those c**p moments like yours. I also don't run runflats anymore.

 

Yep, I have a flat alright. Passenger side rear. All other tires show about 32 pounds of pressure...but that one shows about 10 pounds...boo hoo.

Now to find a Dunlop dealer in this podunk town I live in...

John

 

Get rid of those R/Fs and find a set of all season non R/Fs and make your life easier. I had the Dunlops also and had a bad tire replaced. I did have insurance and the $380.00 for the tire was refunded to me. I still had to pay for the tire up front from the dealer as tire stores don't carry that type of tire. I lived with those Dunlops for over a year plus all the false flat tire alarms I experienced. Just because your tire is low doesn't mean you have a flat. R/Fs tend to lose air and need to be checked at least once a week.
I now have BFGoodrich g force Non R/Fs with a Conti comfort kit from Tire Rack> the goo in the Conti kit doesn't mess up the tire in case of a flat.
06MCS/DS/B/Bbonnet/Stripes/Whalen8ballshiftmachine

 

Before you run out and take this advice, think about the money your "throwing" away. IMO, let the RFs wear out ... then buy non-RFs.

Best of luck

Then again, if you got money to throw at four new tires, I guess you can go for it.

 

Keep in mind, if the hole isn't in your sidewall, and it's the usual puncture, your runflat tire is probably repairable. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I'm assuming a puncture because virtually all the flat tires I've had over the years have been due to a puncture from either nail or screw (beware of home construction sites .. those roofing nails with the wide flat top often land with pointy part up when they're dropped).

If I get a puncture in my very expensive Goodyear Eagle runflats I plan to call roadside assistance. Darned if I'll further ruin my tire by driving on it for 50 miles or so (yes .. the roadside assistance does include flat tires).

 

If you don't have tire insurance and the tire is nonrepairable your going to put out at least $350.00 plus for one new tire and approx. $200.00 more
will buy you a good set of non-R/F tires. chow4us is right, run them until they wear out than go for it if you don't have to replace the tire. The non-R/Fs I have are quiet, better ride, and better handling. R/Fs can be repaired if not in the sidewall.

06MCS/Ds/B/Bbonnetstripes/whalen8ballshiftmachine

 

My R56 just threw this code at me this weekend as well. 600 miles on it and haven't even made my first payment and it has a flat. I got it while driving on the highway. I can't see any nails or anything else in the tire. It actually looks like the sidewall may have a "rip" in it. Not sure how this would happen, unless it happens on the RFs because of their stiffness. I'm taking it in to the dealer Wednesday morning and they'll look at it to tell me if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. I would definitely replace all the tires with non-RFs if it weren't for the fact that they are all basically brand new.

 

Got lucky! I did have a nail, dead center in the middle of the tire. No other apparent damage to the tire. It was repaired for FREE. Good ol' Les Schwab Tire Center...

On the road again....

John

 

I love happy endings!

 

Good... glad they didn't try to sucker you into that "run flats can't be repaired... you have to spend $300" crap.

And get a tire gauge . Run flat does not mean 100% safe and maintenance free. You still need to check the pressure regularly and add air from time to time.