If your BMW, Mercedes or another premium car left the factory without a spare wheel, it almost certainly runs on RunFlat tyres. They are made for the driver who, after a puncture, would rather not change a wheel at the roadside in snow or rain, but drive calmly on to the nearest garage. We see them in our workshop every day, mainly on passenger and premium cars. Below you'll find RunFlat models for summer, winter and all seasons in a wide range of sizes.
RunFlat tyres
Tyres that let you drive to a garage after a puncture instead of changing a wheel on a rainy roadside
147 tyre models available
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Where RunFlat fits among the other tyres
RunFlat (also marked RFT, SSR, ROF or ZP, but in the ISO standard - a circle with RSC) differs from an ordinary tyre in its thick, reinforced sidewalls. In an ordinary tyre the air supports the car's weight, and at the moment of a puncture, when it escapes, the soft sidewall collapses, so you have to stop immediately. A RunFlat sidewall is stiff enough to hold the car up for a short while even without air, and after a puncture you can drive gently on to a garage. In normal driving you don't feel the difference. Manufacturers usually guarantee around 80 km at speeds up to 80 km/h, but that is a maximum limit, not a target.
Compared with the alternatives, the choice isn't clear-cut. A spare wheel or a repair kit also copes with a sidewall tear that a RunFlat can't survive, and costs less, but it forces you to stop and work at the roadside. Self-sealing tyres have a sealing layer in the tread that closes small punctures, and they drive almost like ordinary ones, but they don't help with a complete loss of air. That is exactly where RunFlat still comes out ahead.
- Car compatibility. Fit RunFlat only if the car is designed for them - you need the correct size, load index and speed rating, and the car maker's marking (the BMW star, Mercedes MO and the like).
- A working TPMS. A punctured RunFlat still looks normal, so without a pressure-monitoring system you might not notice the loss of air; ESC is recommended.
- All four the same. You mustn't mix RunFlat and ordinary tyres on the same car, because handling and braking suffer; manufacturers recommend RunFlat on all four wheels.
- Choose the season separately. RunFlat is a sidewall property, not a season, so the segment includes summer, winter and all-season models. In Latvia, in winter (from 1 December to 1 March) the 3PMSF marking is mandatory, so when choosing a winter RunFlat, check for the "mountain and snowflake" symbol.
- Repair is rarely possible. After being driven with no pressure, a RunFlat usually can't be repaired, and you should expect a full replacement with an equivalent RunFlat tyre.
Not having a spare wheel frees up the boot and removes weight, which also helps electric cars, where every kilogram affects range. Worries about a harsh ride are largely a thing of the past: independent ADAC tests show that the latest generation of RunFlat is almost indistinguishable in comfort from ordinary tyres.
Frequently asked questions
Look for the marking on the sidewall: Bridgestone uses RFT, Continental SSR, Michelin ZP and Goodyear ROF. The ISO standard symbol is "RSC" in a circle. If you're not sure, a garage can tell from the tyre's markings.
Most manufacturers guarantee around 80 km at speeds up to 80 km/h after a complete loss of air. That's a maximum, not a recommendation, so drive gently, avoid sharp turns and head for the nearest garage.
In practice, no. According to ADAC data, the latest generation of RunFlat is only about 0.3 kg heavier than the standard version and usually doesn't increase consumption.
You shouldn't. RunFlat only works fully if the car has a working TPMS and the suspension is designed for the stiffer sidewall; on an unsuitable car the ride becomes harsh and most of the benefits disappear. The right approach is exactly the size and marking specified by the car manufacturer.
Self-sealing tyres have a sealing layer in the tread that closes small punctures up to about 5 mm, and they drive almost like ordinary ones. RunFlat relies on a reinforced sidewall and lets you keep moving even with a complete loss of air. The former handle small punctures, the latter a complete loss of pressure.
Special tyre categories
Niche tyre segments for specific applications - from all-terrain and sports tyres to seasonal and technology-focused tyres.