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Run Flat Tires
Since auto manufacturers are realizing that
eliminating the spare tire from a car can
create more space for other accessories and
increase fuel efficiency by decreasing the
car’s weight, more and more vehicles are
being sold without a spare. Instead manufacturers
are equipping new car models with tires that
have been especially made to travel anywhere
from 50 to 150 miles after being punctured.
These run-flat tires will perform long enough
for most drivers to get to a place where
the damaged tire can be repaired. Many drivers
appreciate the safety factor of a tire that
does not need to be changed by the side of
the road.
There are generally two different ways of
making a run-flat tire. Most run-flat tires
have reinforced sidewalls that support the
car when the air has escaped, so the car
can continue to be driven. However, stiffer
sidewalls could result in a harder ride and
lower handling performance, so it is wise
to research the individual design before
buying. The other run-flat tire design has
a tire within a tire. This second tire (referred
to as a tire insert) only comes into use
when the outer tire collapses. This more
complicated design, however, allows the outer
tire to be more flexible and thus retain
smoother riding and better handling characteristics.
Like most things in life, there is a trade-off
for the convenience and safety of run-flat
tires. Run-flat tires weigh more than regular
tires, and they can be more expensive both
to purchase and repair. |
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