Hi all. I'm new to NAM and am currently awaiting delivery of my 2012 MCS CM All4. So I've never had a vehicle with run flat tires. Since the vehicle has no spare.....what do I do if I have a tire 'issue'?

 

Run flats typically run with no air pressure for 50-100 miles. The idea is that as soon as you realize you have an issue (as soon as the Tire Pressure Monitoring System tell you there's an issue) you need to get it to a place where you can have the tire replaced. If you are no where near a place you can have this done, you should drive it to a safe location to have it towed.

 

You may want to consider replacing the run flats with a better performing tire, either all seasons, since you live in the Northeast, or with a dedicated winter set and performance tires for the rest of the year. You can carry a slime kit for emergency flat repairs, or just use AAA. The consensus on this site is that the ride of the car is improved dramatically once you ditch the run flats. Of course, since the Countryman is a new model, there isn't much info yet on how much this mod improves the ride, but it would stand to reason that it would make a dramatic difference in how the car handles. There are tons of threads here on replacing run flats. Just do a quick search...

 

thanks...good info and I will search. But if run flats get punctured do they have to be replaced or can they still be repaired with a plug like a traditional tire? I would hate to have to replace a tire for as simple a thing as running over a nail/screw. Yep...I have read some threads on the run flats and bump steering...and am considering replacing them with traditional tires already.

 

I have had RF's repaired after nail in tread. If sidewall is damaged, the tire is toast.

 

Any tire is toast if the sidewall is damaged. that is why you need the tire protection package All you need is 4 flats in a 7 year (life of package) period for it to be worth it. I had three flats in a period of a year and 4 months on a Saturn (non runflats) Paid 180 for package and each tire would have cost me 200.

Even if the tire has no pressure(cause it's flat but only on the bottom) the premise is that you can drive 80 miles to get it fixed.

 

I hate, HATE, run flats. I replaced the RF's on my BMW 335i with performance non-RF tires and it was like a whole new car. The ride is smoooooth and quiet. It feels like I'm riding on a cloud and with the RF's it was rough and noisy. I just ordered a 2012 S hatchback today and my plan is to immediately take the RF's off, store them and put non-RF's on the car. I'm leasing it so I'll have to replace the tires before I turn it in anyway so this way, I'll get a smooth, comfortable ride and they will get back their brand new lousy RF's! Does anyone know the best way to store tires so they're still good three years down the road (at least good enough to get me back to the dealership)? LOL

 

If you do not drive on the RF while flat you can repair the tire. Most shops will not repair it for you though as they do not know if the tire was driven while flat or not. The liability is what prevents people from repairing most run flats. I have done a handful of plugs on RF tires with no issues, I just don't drive the car with a flat and repair while it is still partially inflated. No issues using this methodology for me.

 

For standard non-run-flat tires, you would inflate them to the maximum pressure rating on the sidewall, and put them into a plastic garbage bag. Stack them on their sides. Keep them in the garage or in a location that does not experience large temperature swings, ideally. The idea is to protect them from sunlight and from ozone and/or oxygen. That should keep the rubber in decent shape.

I would avoid putting "tire dressing" on them; many of those have silicone in them which is bad for the rubber over the long term.

If the tires are off the rims, treat them the same way except (obviously) for the inflation part.

The above steps are standard for storing race tires/wheels in the off season. They should still apply for longer-term storage. Check on the bags every few months to see if they have been torn or if they are degrading; if they are then replace the bag.

 

Heck, I store my tires on the roof of the garage, It's an old Russian trick, the tires get really hard and it greatly increases the amount of miles you can get out of them!

Dave