Flat tire at 80+ mph!

[XLR8]

I was driving on I10 yesterday on the way to an appointment when I heard and felt the driver's side rear tire go flat. I was driving a little over 80 mph and it nearly scared me to death!

The flat tire warning flashed on the DIC and was immediately followed by the reduce speed warning. I've worried about what it would be like to get a flat and drive on the runflats, but I must say it was very reassuring in that the car handled well and the tire performed as advertised.

I was able to make my appointment, then drive the 10 or 15 miles to my repair shop to have the "new" tires installed which I purchased from one of our members.

Just thought I'd mention it for the benefit of other members who are using the runflats on their Vettes too.

Shaken but safe.
Jane Ann

 

[PreacherNutshot]

Folks can whine and moan about runflats (noise, handling, etc) but bottom line, this is where they shine.

Sorry you had a flat, but I'm glad you had the runflats to keep you safe.

 

[jrose7004]

I've always wondered what that would be like.

 

[Sharondippity]

Yep, call me kooky, I will keep my runflats too. Glad to hear they did what they were supposed to do for you. whew

 

[Pursuit_in_Progress]

Just an FYI, with non runflats, I had a flat at 130mph a couple years ago, and nothing bad happened, other than having to wait for the tow truck (I didn't carry a spare in my Cobra) ....that and my wife being mad at me for waking her up early to come let me use her car to get to work.

 

[PreacherNutshot]

Just an FYI, with non runflats, I had a flat at 130mph a couple years ago, and nothing bad happened, other than having to wait for the tow truck (I didn't carry a spare in my Cobra) ....that and my wife being mad at me for waking her up early to come let me use her car to get to work.

Front or back? A front blowout over 100mph WILL have a drastic effect. If it's the rear, just back off the throttle and let drag slow you down and you'll be OK.

In either case, the key to control, is smoothness. DON'T yank the wheel, DON'T slam on the brakes, etc.

 

[Pursuit_in_Progress]

Yes, luckily is was the rear, so I didn't have to rely on it to do much of the braking.

 

[XLR8]

I was really pleased with the performance of the tire, and as I said, I'd wondered what a flat at interstate speed would be like. Of course it was a bit noisy but I was able to use the phone to call ahead and alert my appointment that I'd be a few minutes late.

I didn't hit the brakes, I just took my foot off the gas and allowed inertia to slow the car. Still don't know what the experience would be like if a front tire went flat, but a rear tire was no sweat.

 

[6 Shooter]

Runflat - Love Hate Relationship

Love em when ya have a flat, hate buying and almost all other times.

Jane Ann - Glad Your OK!

BTW - Next time ya have a flat, see how fast you can get em up to before they become unstable.

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[XLR8]

Love em when ya have a flat, hate buying and almost all other times.

Jane Ann - Glad Your OK!

BTW - Next time ya have a flat, see how fast you can get em up to before they become unstable.

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

Thanks Shooter!

I'll have to remember that.. will let you know. :L

 

[vette-dude]

Run flats = Priceless

Glad everything turned out positive Jane.


PS: Sharondippity = Kooky

Randy

 

[gaC5]

Is 130 your normal cruising speed? If it is how do you keep a drivers license?

 

[Cool Driver]

Jane Ann,

So glad you are okay. I don't have run-flats and dread the thought of a flat tire on the highway. Hopefully I'll do everything right as you did.

Barbie

 

[kingman]

Bottomline!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you get a flat with a runflat you have to go out and buy two tires!

$800 == Priceless!!!!!!!!!!!

Alan

 

[6 Shooter]

If you get a flat with a runflat you have to go out and buy two tires!

You can have run-flats repaired, I have a repaired run-flat on the rear of my Corvette.

 

[Eric]

You can have run-flats repaired, I have a repaired run-flat on the rear of my Corvette.

Yup, the one of the rears that were swapped off of my car today had two patches and they had held up flawlessly for the year that I have had the car.

I agree that as much as I hate the harshness and noise, I will probably always have them so long as there is the slightest possibility that my wife may drive the car.

 

[kingman]

Just in case!!!!!!!!!!!

If you realize that you have a flat are you better off stopping right away and then have it put on a flat bed to a tire place?

Alan

 

[6 Shooter]

Kingman - You need to do a little reading about what run-flats can do for ya.

 

[kingman]

Hi

I have read so many different opinions all being positive except for the increase of road noise and the expense of replacement.

But without tempting the hands of fate, l have never had a flat tire but l'm sure my day will come.

Alan

 

[XLR8]

Alan,

I was able to continue on the road to my appoinment (at reduced speed of course 55 mph) then drive to my repair shop at least 10 to 15 miles away with no issues. AND no damage to my rim.

Believe me, you CAN plug runflats and continue to use them for awhile. I've had one nail in each tire and a secind nail in 3 of them since Hurricane Katrina visited and forced the transportation of so much debris (used to be houses) over the roads.

I would normally have replaced my tires earlier due to the treadwear, but I was trying to hold off as long as safely possible because I knew the nail situation would be very bad after Katrina.

Barbie and Randy,

Thanks for the kind words.