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Run Flat Tyres – What Are They?

An image showing the sidewall markings on a typical run-flat tyre

So, picture the scene… you’re cruising down the motorway and suddenly the balance of your car doesn’t feel quite right. And then you hear that ‘thump-thump-thump’ which indicates a dreaded puncture! With standard tyres fitted to your car, that usually means swiftly pulling over into the hard shoulder and either calling roadside assistance, or attempting a risky wheel change at the side of the busy motorway. However, with run-flat tyres, you can keep going on your journey for at least long enough to reach a garage, tyre fitting centre or a place of safety. So, how do they work? Let’s break it down:-

The Concept Behind Run-Flat Tyres

Run-flat tyres (often abbreviated to RFT’s) are designed to keep running, even after suffering a loss of tyre pressure. Instead of collapsing instantly, they maintain their structure so that you can keep driving safely, often up to a distance of 100 miles, at speeds of around 50 mph.

This gives you adequate time to leave the motorway or busy road and head for a local tyre fitting centre without panicking about being stranded or having to change the tyre at the roadside.

The Design & Construction That Makes It Possible

The effectiveness of a run-flat tyre relies on clever design and construction. Here’s what sets them apart from regular tyres:

Reinforced Sidewalls

The tyre sidewalls are made using extra layers of durable rubber in a ‘laminated’ construction format. Under normal circumstances, the air pressure in the tyre is entirely responsible for supporting the car’s weight, but with a run-flat tyre, the sidewalls offer additional support and step to take over when there is a loss of pressure.

Heat-Resistant Compounds

Driving on a flat tyre generates a lot of heat. Run-flat tyres use special rubber compounds that can withstand the added stress and additional heat for an extended period of time without failing completely.

Stronger Bead Design

The “bead” is the part of the tyre that grips the entire circumference of the vehicle’s wheel. On a run-flat tyre, the bead is further reinforced to prevent the tyre from detaching from the rim when deflated — a key factor in preventing sudden loss of control.

This illustration shows the cross section of a typical car run-flat tyre

Different Types of Run-Flat Technology

Not all run-flats are made the same. There are two specific designs:

Self-Supporting Tyres (SST)

The most common type, relying on stiffened sidewalls. You’ll find these fitted as standard on many makes and models including BMW, MINI and Mercedes-Benz as well as several sports, performance and prestige manufacturer’s vehicles.

Support Ring Systems

Less common, these tyres incorporate a solid supporting ‘ring’ inside the wheel to support the tyre if it deflates. These are often found on specialist or high-security vehicles.

The Pro’s of Run-Flat Tyres

Peace of Mind: A puncture doesn’t have to mean instant roadside drama.

Safety: Reduces the risk of dangerous blowouts, particularly when travelling at speed.

Boot Space: Cars with run-flat tyres usually don’t need to carry a spare wheel, freeing up room for luggage.

The Con’s Of Run-Flat Tyres

Of course, nothing’s perfect. Run-flats do come with a few compromises:

Ride Comfort: The stiff sidewalls can make the ride feel firmer and harsher, particularly over rough terrain.

Cost: They are pricier than regular tyres.

Repairability: Many can’t be repaired after a puncture and need to be replaced.

TPMS Dependency: Because they hold their shape even when flat, you need a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to alert you when pressure drops. TPMS systems are integrated into the vehicle’s technical features when run-flats are fitted as an OEM item but will require a retro-fit system for aftermarket tyres.

This image shows a car tyre with a nail in the tread

So Should You Choose Run-Flat Tyres For Your Car?

Run-flat tyres are ideal if you value safety, convenience, and don’t want to worry about having to change a tyre on the hard shoulder of the M6! They’re especially useful in urban and suburban areas where a tyre fitting centre is never too far away.

However, if you prioritise ride comfort, long-distance driving, or want to keep costs down, traditional tyres (with a spare wheel or tyre repair kit) might be a better option for you.

Conclusion

Run-flat tyres will buy you time and improve safety when you get a puncture on your journey — but they do come with a handful of trade-off’s. If you own a car that has been specifically designed for run-flats, it would be the smartest choice to stick with them. However, if you’re thinking of upgrading or retro-fitting, you need to consider the pricing and comfort implications.

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Tyre Tips For Summer Motoring

Summer Driving Tyre Tips

So, the sunshine is finally here (albeit intermittent!) as spring draws to a close and we get ready for another British heatwave (ahem!). Many drivers in the UK opt for winter tyres during the colder months and then switch to summer tyres when the weather improves. Regardless of whether you do this or not, it’s worth inspecting your tyres to make sure they are ready for any summer road trips that you may be embarking on.

Here’s how:-

1. Visually inspect each tyre for bulges, cuts or abnormalities that could be dangerous when travelling at speed and, worst case scenario, could cause a blowout. Check both the tyre tread (where possible) and the sidewalls.

2. Check your tyre pressures to make sure that they are in line with the recommended vehicle manufacturers specifications and adjust if necessary. Tyre pressure information is usually found on a label inside one of the door jambs or in the vehicle handbook. Whilst checking tyre pressures, inspect your tyre valves for any signs of wear and tear or cuts in the rubber. If you have metal or TPMS valves, a general visual inspection should suffice. Always replace the valve caps to prevent water and dust ingress into the valve stem and to prevent air from escaping. If valve caps are missing, you can buy replacements here!

3. Check that the tread on your tyres is wearing evenly across the entire surface of the tyre. If it isn’t, it could be an indication of an underlying issue with your suspension or your wheel alignment (tracking) may just need to be adjusted. This can be carried out at any high street tyre fitting centre.

4. Next, check the age of each tyre. This is shown by a four-digit number embossed on the tyre sidewall; the first two digits denote the week of the year that the tyres were made, and the second two digits denote the actual year of manufacture. It is a good idea to replace tyre(s) that are more than ten years old, regardless of their condition.

5. And finally, check your spare tyre. This is often overlooked but the last thing you want is to get a puncture only to discover that your spare tyre is damaged or even missing! Also make sure that the tyre changing kit is present and in full working order. Many modern vehicles have an inflator kit or are fitted with run flat tyres instead of a spare tyre but, if none are available, invest in some tyre sealant as an emergency backup which should, at least, get you to a tyre fitting centre.

Last but not least, enjoy your summer and journey safely!

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New ‘Icons Of Motorsport’ Valve Cap Range Launches

Icons Of Motorsport Banner

We are extremely excited to announce the launch of our Icons Of Motorsport range of tyre valve caps. The range will celebrate the wonderful world of motor racing, both two wheels and four, and will pay homage to some of the most influential and iconic figures, teams and brands in motorsport, both past and present.

This will give racing fans and supporters the opportunity to show some love to their favourite teams and drivers in a unique and subtle way, by displaying their valve caps proudly on their chosen rims – a synergy made in heaven!

The valve caps will be available in sets of either 2 or 4 so, depending upon whether you’re a driving enthusiast or a biker, we have catered for all tastes. Each design will have a limited production run so, when they’re gone they’re gone and we expect demand to be high so don’t hang around!

Go ahead… show your true colours and make your wheels really stand out from the crowd!

Shop the range here:-

https://valvecaps.co.uk/product-category/icons-of-motorsport-valve-caps/

If you would like to receive regular updates and further motoring hints and tips, please JOIN OUR MAILING LIST. Don’t worry, we promise not to bombard you with junk mail!

Icons Of Motorsport Category Image

Do You Know Your Schrader From Your Presta?

If you’ve never heard these two unusual phrases before, it may come as no surprise (bearing in mind that you’re reading this on a valve cap website) that they relate to the two main different types of tyre stem valves that are available. In reality there are actually at least two more variations but the schrader and the presta are the most commonplace across the entire globe.

Schrader And Presta Tyre Valves

There are a few reasons why the valves differ and each has it’s own pro’s and con’s – we will get into this in more detail in a later feature – but for now, here is what you need to know:-

Schrader valves are fitted to almost all cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, RV’s and plant machinery… and most bicycles up to a certain value. Presta valves, on the other hand, are fitted to most mid to high-end bicycles.

Each valve type requires a different fitting when it comes to a pump for inflating and many commercially available pumps come with adapters for each.

And there you have it in it’s simplest form! The majority of our valve caps are therefore schrader type valve caps and are universal in terms of fitment. However, we are also adding a selection of presta valves in the coming months so… watch this space!

If you would like to receive regular updates and further motoring hints and tips, please JOIN OUR MAILING LIST. Don’t worry, we promise not to bombard you with junk mail!

ValveCaps.co.uk Launches!

BMW M Performance Valve Cap

We are proud to announce the launch of our new website – valvecaps.co.uk is a UK based supplier of automotive valve caps and dust caps for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. We have a vast range of products to suit almost any vehicle make or model and will be adding many more in the future.

We also offer a bespoke customisation service so if you would like your own company logo or branding on a set of valve caps, please get in touch for a quote!

If you would like to receive regular updates and further motoring hints and tips, please JOIN OUR MAILING LIST. Don’t worry, we promise not to bombard you with junk mail!

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