Tech Article: Run Flat Facts

[Rob]

In the latest tech article by Hib Halverson, Hib uncovers some interesting facts about aftermarket run flat tires vs. OEM run flat tires that came on Corvettes. Be careful when replacing your OEM run flats with aftermarket ones!

More: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/question.php?qstId=515

 

[U.P. John]

Since where I live the average distance between Gm dealers/Goodyear franchises is 60-80 miles, and I do not wish to submit my Corvette to rubes earning minimum wage changing tires at some quick lube/ramshackle gas station, I guess I'll stick with the OEM Goodyear runflats. I'll just learn to love the SUV rumble!

Thanks for the informative article!

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Rob,

An excellent article.

One area that was not explored in the article was trying to find an "authorized Goodyear Runflat dealer" while outside of a major city (especially one that is open in the evening or on weekends).

I recently replaced the original Goodyear runflats on my C5 with Goodyear runflats due to the distance rating. However, the noise is still unacceptable and I will never buy another Corvette with Goodyear runflats as standard equipment. Chevrolet really dropped the ball with the lack of sound insulation in the rear of the C5. The noise from the Goodyear runflat tires (even new ones) is terrible.

 

[Mike Mercury]

there is not an industry spec for the "EMT" designation that dictates 200 miles with zero pressure. I don't really berlieve that the average driver knows they can go a full 200 miles on GY EMT's. Many will just pull over at the very next exit and get the tire fixed anyways.

Although it is good to know the differences between the GY EMT and other mfgrs offerings - 50 versus 200 miles IMO is not all that big of deal. I did appreciate the info where only the Mich EMT's could be repaired.

Sadly; Hib writes that article as if it's an infomercial for GoodYear.

 

[Pac-man]

Why would you run Goodyear EMTs if you do not like the noise? There are so many other options, both run-flat and non run-flat. I also agree that a 50 mile rating as compared to a 200 mile rating is great info, but no one is going to go 200 miles with a flat. You could probably get more than 50 miles out of the 50 rated also. I can't understand why so many people are hung up on these EMT tires. Every Z06 out there is running non-runflats, and I have'nt heard one complaint yet from a Z06 owner. A flat tire once in awhile is good for the soul, makes you stop and think..., slows you down a bit.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Pac-man,

I often drive my C5 on long weekend trips in very rural areas of Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia. I DO NOT want to be stranded with a flat tire that can only be driven 50 miles or less because of where I drive. That is the reason I replaced the original EMT's with new ones from Goodyear.

I have stranded three separate times by mechanical breakdowns with my C5 - all were covered under the new car warranty (column lock, a/c water back-up / ruined computer, and a defective alternator).

 

[Pac-man]

Well said, point well taken

 

[powderski13]

The reason that the Z06 does not come with run-craps is performance & handling. The run-craps are noisy, and do not offer the performance in dry & wet traction that a non-runflat offers. I got Michelin Pilot Sports and now carry a plug kit, small compressor and AAA card just in case. Ever hear Z06 ownwers complain about the lack of run-craps ??

 

[Tripleblack51]

Why would you run Goodyear EMTs if you do not like the noise? There are so many other options, both run-flat and non run-flat. I also agree that a 50 mile rating as compared to a 200 mile rating is great info, but no one is going to go 200 miles with a flat. You could probably get more than 50 miles out of the 50 rated also. I can't understand why so many people are hung up on these EMT tires. Every Z06 out there is running non-runflats, and I have'nt heard one complaint yet from a Z06 owner. A flat tire once in awhile is good for the soul, makes you stop and think..., slows you down a bit.

Some great points here.

I replaced my OEM runflats with Yokohama AVS sports Runflats at 25K miles. The fronts still had quite a bit of tread.
I noticed a nice difference in the ride quality and noise level.
I'm not sure how much of these were because of the age/wear on my OEMs,
but there was a definite improvement.
Addtionally, the Yokos are a better rated rain tire. I love their tread design too.
I'm not concerned with the 50 vs 200 mile RF capability.

It stands to reason that a less stiff sidewall will give you a better, smoother ride. It's all about choices and competition.

Price was not the reason...the Yokos were $1192.00 delivered to my home (Tirerack.com) plus $100.00 for mounting/balancing.

My thoughts..

Pedro

 

[Chemdawg99]

Mabye its just the fact that I am in the Army and I am used to hearing the drone of tires on pavement from HMMWVs (Hummers) but I don't detect the noise and harsh ride that a lot of folk seem to complain about with OEM tires. I know that Z06 guys don't have this issue, but I attribute that to the notion (my thought process only) that most guys who own Zs don't travel too far away from home in them. Tire choice is obviously a personal preference. Just my .02.

 

[DRTH VTR]

I attribute that to the notion (my thought process only) that most guys who own Zs don't travel too far away from home in them.

I drove from Idaho to Bowing Green in my Z06. It was just short of 4000 miles round trip. Trips to the west coast and Reno are common as well.

And welcome to the CAC!

 

[Chemdawg99]

I drove from Idaho to Bowing Green in my Z06. It was just short of 4000 miles round trip. Trips to the west coast and Reno are common as well.

And welcome to the CAC!

I didn't mean to imply the Z06s aren't driven on long trips, I just don't think the average Z owner takes them on long trips.

I have only been a Vette owner for about 18 months now, but like I said, I don't get the complaints that a lot of Vette owner have about OEM tires. In 21 years of driving, I have only hade 2 flats, one close to home (hit a manhole cover in the middle of the street at night and cracked a rim) and one on a long trip from Washington State to South Carolina (a tire failure in Utah 50 miles from Salt Lake City). I don't autocross, drag or drive competitively, so EMTs serve me just fine. I can't imaging having any of those events decribed above happening to me in a Vette with no spare. What good is that air compressor or tire sealant if the tire shreds on you like they did in the scenarios I just described above? Not to say that the OEMs won't do that, per se, but I would venture that it would be much less likely to happen to a tire with a stiff casing like the OEMs.

Safety and security is more important to me than performance. IMHO, the GY EMTs deliver a lot of both. But I am still a newbie to this Vette thing, so what do I knowotfl
Thanks for the welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[VETTEX2]

I tossed the emt's and carry a plug kit and an air pump
I like the goodyear GS-D3's

 

[DRTH VTR]

I didn't mean to imply the Z06s aren't driven on long trips, I just don't think the average Z owner takes them on long trips.

I have only been a Vette owner for about 18 months now, but like I said, I don't get the complaints that a lot of Vette owner have about OEM tires. In 21 years of driving, I have only hade 2 flats, one close to home (hit a manhole cover in the middle of the street at night and cracked a rim) and one on a long trip from Washington State to South Carolina (a tire failure in Utah 50 miles from Salt Lake City). I don't autocross, drag or drive competitively, so EMTs serve me just fine. I can't imaging having any of those events decribed above happening to me in a Vette with no spare. What good is that air compressor or tire sealant if the tire shreds on you like they did in the scenarios I just described above? Not to say that the OEMs won't do that, per se, but I would venture that it would be much less likely to happen to a tire with a stiff casing like the OEMs.

Safety and security is more important to me than performance. IMHO, the GY EMTs deliver a lot of both. But I am still a newbie to this Vette thing, so what do I knowotfl
Thanks for the welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I certainly understand your reasoning. It is a gamble to take the long trips that I take. Out here in the west, it is a 50-50 proposition on whether a cell phone is in range of a cell tower out in the spaces between town. So far, I have not had a problem. On one trip to Portland in my wife's BMW, we picked up a screw and lost pressure on the freeway out in the middle of nowhere. By the time I realized what was going on and got the car stopped, the tire sidewall was damaged. There was no way that I could have gone anywhere in the 'Vette with a similar tire.

 

[Chemdawg99]

I certainly understand your reasoning. It is a gamble to take the long trips that I take. Out here in the west, it is a 50-50 proposition on whether a cell phone is in range of a cell tower out in the spaces between town. So far, I have not had a problem. On one trip to Portland in my wife's BMW, we picked up a screw and lost pressure on the freeway out in the middle of nowhere. By the time I realized what was going on and got the car stopped, the tire sidewall was damaged. There was no way that I could have gone anywhere in the 'Vette with a similar tire.

Its all a matter of how much risk one is willing to assume on deciding if they are going to ditch OEM tires for non-run flats. If your Vette is a "garage queen" or a weekend/summer toy that sees 5,000 miles a year at best, then I don't think going with non-run flats are going to present too many problems.

Call me a fool, but I know my limitations (not the most mechanically inclined guy)and I don't try to outhink the folks that designed these cars. GM put GY EMTs on the Vette for a good reason (I read Hib's "run-flat facts" and it helped me to realize that sticking with the OEMs is the best option for the way I use my Vette). To each his own, I say. I know flats don't happen that often, but when they do........

 

[mrm1149]

 

[Zozzle]

One area that was not explored in the article was trying to find an "authorized Goodyear Runflat dealer" while outside of a major city (especially one that is open in the evening or on weekends).

As a recent new Vette owner I decided to check out the GY EMT service line that's listed in the owner's handbook. I thought I'd find out where my nearest service place was before I needed it in a hurry. I called the 800 number and the site must use my phone number to locate me. Here was the conversation.
"Hullo, *** Tire".
"Hi are you a Goodyear EMT service site?"
"Pardon"?
"Do you service Goodyear EMT tires?"
"What model are those?"
"EMT tires; runflats."
"Oh those. Yeah I've heard of them but we're a truck tire place."
"But the GY site put me through to you as a runflat service place."
"Geee I can't imagine why they would."
"Where is your business?"
"In ****." (that's about thirty miles from me).
"Ok thanks. Sorry to bother ya."

Good job I didn't need tire service in a hurry eh? I hope I don't need tire service when I'm on a driving vacation.

I then found a tire place about two miles from home where the tire tech had worked on many GY runflats over the years even though they weren't "authorised". He's already swapped a wheel for me so he's now My Man. He is Michelin runflat authorised.

It's nice to see that GY has their $#!t together.

 

[mrm1149]

I don't see what "authorized" means. I live right near Goodyear Corporate and all a tire shop needs is a machine capable of breaking the tire off the wheel due to the stiffer sidewall......They're tires, not nuclear material.

 

[Zozzle]

I don't see what "authorized" means. I live right near Goodyear Corporate and all a tire shop needs is a machine capable of breaking the tire off the wheel due to the stiffer sidewall......They're tires, not nuclear material.

Oh I hear ya. The Techie says he was "authorised" at the other branch of the tire company that he works for. The new branch (in our city) isn't. He said all they had to do was to take a short training course and possess suitable equipment.

Their new (the building and equipment was all new) state-of-the-art $10,000 tire machine was a joy to watch. I was a GM mechanic 30+ years ago and we had nothing even close to this.

I went to him because the Corvette dealership wrecked one of my magnesium wheels. Yes they bought me a new one and allowed me to take it to this place to get it swapped - also at their expense.

 

[mrm1149]

Yeah, the cost of those machines and the Hunter Road Force machines is staggering! The goal is to find a "tech" who knows how to use the equipment and what the computerized Road Force setup is telling him.

Glad GM stepped up and did the right thing with your wheel. I have a set of BBS LM's on mine and Eric is the only guy to date that touches them. A great find as a tech, he treats ALL his customers cars with respect and takes great pride in his word of mouth reputation. He also cons my wife into making him cookies a couple times a yearotfl