RunFlat technology: what is it? Car tires with RunFlat technology: marking, characteristics, reviews

It must be that every car owner has lost all his plans at least once because of the broken tire in the way. The lost time to install a spare tire or call the tow truck is not returned, but such situations can be prevented in the future. For this purpose, experienced motorists use tires with RunFlat technology. What is it, and what are the advantages of it, now try to understand.

You have to be tougher

RunFlat is a patented technology, based on the principle of reinforcing the side faces of tires. When the usual tire is quickly blown out when a puncture is formed, the disc under the weight of the entire car "chews" it for a few kilometers. The reinforced sides of the new tire keep the weight of the car, allowing you to get to the nearest car service normally.

A special hard cord does not let the machine "sag", because of what you can move in the usual mode. But restrictions are present. First, the maximum permissible speed "on the cords" is only 80 km / h. Secondly, it's impossible to travel for a long time on a broken tire - you can drive only 100 km, but this is also a lot, considering that all safety systems - ABS, ESP, DSC and others - remain active.

There is also a modernized Runflat technology. What is it and what are their differences? The difference between them is one - in addition to a powerful cord around the rim, polyurethane inserts-semirings are mounted, which increase the rigidity of the structure.

History of occurrence

The first car, which used in the basic configuration of safety tires, was the Mini 1275GT, released in 1974. The technology of historical tires was somewhat different from the modern one - it required special wheels and was equipped with an ultra-low profile. The progenitor is Denovo, which named its Dunlop system.

In mass production, non-inflatable tires arrived in the late 80s of the 20th century. The development of the idea of safety tires was prompted by persons with disabilities. It was they who needed more than others to get to the service station with a broken wheel, because they could not leave the car for repair.

A little later, in 1987, the basic configuration of the Porsche 959 included the technology RunFlat. What is it, then no one knew, so the machines have become very popular, and the system has received a new round of development.

Not everything is so smooth

The advantage of using RunFlat technology is obvious - increase of traffic safety and the ability to overcome any route, regardless of road conditions. The disadvantages of these tires are more. Firstly, this is the price. The cost of blown tires is 15-25% higher than standard options. It is for this reason that they are more equipped with premium cars.

Secondly, it is the deterioration of controllability. Because of the harder frame, the traction of the wheel with the road becomes less, which slows the response of the steering wheel and increases the load on the driver - the steering wheel literally knocks out of the hands on irregularities. Has the technology RunFlat cons and in terms of comfort - do not be surprised if the car will bounce on every cracks.

What to do?

Because of the above disadvantages, it is only the owners of vehicles with reinforced suspension that install such tires that are adapted for domestic road conditions. In combination with an independent or pneumatic chassis, passengers will feel comfortable enough.

Unsupported rubber is extremely non-repairable, but only the prepared tire center can handle its installation or replacement with a standard version. Moreover, not every service center will repair tires in which RunFlat technology is implemented - what it is, some masters simply do not know! For this reason, and the design features in the case of a puncture, it is necessary to change the tire - to patch up the hole is almost impossible.

Therefore, if you are a wealthy car owner with an adaptive suspension system, then such rubber with RunFlat technology can become for you a real rescue from Russian roads.

The necessary conditions

Despite all the limitations, high cost, you can install tires on a rigid cord on any car, regardless of the type of drive. But, being the owner of a car of the middle class, even the manufacturer does not recommend "rubber shoes" in such rubber - special sensors are required:

1. TPMS, RDC, RPA and other indicators, in a mode of constant time informing the driver about the level of pressure in the wheels.
2. ESP - system of dynamic stabilization of the car or exchange rate stability.

Installing RunFlat car tires without having such structures in the car is extremely risky. In the event of a puncture, you will not notice any changes and continue driving at high speed, which is fraught with drifts, a decrease in the effectiveness of the brakes, and ultimately lead to an accident.

Famous producers

Since the introduction of unbroken tire technology, it has been used all over the world to produce tires for cars and even trucks: Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, Kumho, Toyo are just some of those who decided to make life easier for motorists.

Despite the identical technology, tires from manufacturers are different. The main differences between the models are as follows:

• Presence or absence of possibility of elimination of a hole;
• Use of heat-resistant rubber as a raw material;
• The introduction of polyurethane inserts, semirings around the rim;
• Distance that can be overcome after a puncture.

Regardless of whether you use Nokian tires, Michelin, Continental and other manufacturers, the only important important advice remains - do not apply patches to models with V / W / Y speed indexes . In addition, in the event of damage to the sidewall or shoulder area, repairs are not possible under any circumstances.

Confusion in the marking

Despite the fact that all manufacturers use the same technology, all label it in different ways. It is believed that this is the advertising course of companies. But this does not make life easier for motorists, who are forced to deal with the peculiarities of tires.

Let's present the most popular and widespread variants of designation of the tires made on technology RunFlat:

• RSC - RunFlat System Component - uniform designation of all models intended for BMW, Mini or Rolls-Royce.
• MOE - the so-called tires designed for representatives of the German concern Mercedes-Benz.
• AOE is rubber used in Audi cars.

There are other options, according to which marks are placed on tires with RunFlat technology. The marking basically varies depending on the tire manufacturer. Deal with it, too, is not easy.

Marking from manufacturers

Virtually every manufacturer not only manufactures tires with its own designation of non-blowing technology, but also produces various tire variants used in a variety of conditions. The biggest confusion was created by Michelin, which uses markings:

• ZP (Zéro Pression) - on rubber with the presented abbreviation it is possible to move at a speed of up to 80 km / h for 80 km;
• ZP SR - the speed with these tires should be reduced to 32 km / h, but you can overcome the same distance;
• PAX - this technology requires the presence of specialized discs inside which a supporting rim is installed (used in armored vehicles).

Other manufacturers are limited to a more modest amount of non-blown tires. The most common abbreviation used by Bridgestone, Nokian is RFT (Run Flat Tires).

Almost the same marks the company Toyo - TRF. Kumho introduced the symbolic designation XRP, and Continental - SSR. The most loyal to drivers is Pirelli. They did not "reinvent the wheel" anew and brand tires very simply - RunFlat.

Let's sum up the results

When you are going to use the technology of blown tires in your car, you will protect yourself from traffic accidents, get the opportunity to get to the planned point. But along with this, the level of comfort, controllability, and the cost of servicing the car will be significantly reduced.

Among the most popular models in Russia are the "Nokian" tires. They have an acceptable price, they can be patched, if you notice the holes in time and do not drive for a long time on the deflated wheel. But if your car belongs to a business or premium class, then it's worth taking a closer look at other models of blown tires.