Re: run-flat tires

["Eric H" <ejham@domain.elided>]

My girlfriend's car -- a 1999 Corvette -- has these and a couple weeks back
had the opportunity to experience them in action.

Due to an out-of-town photography engagement and a desire to minimize the
mileage add to her 'Vette, I was dropping my girlfriend off at a car rental
agency when I noticed that the sidewall of the front passenger tire had a
rather profound tear in it. Some type of inner-tube-like material was
beginning to poke out, but the tire was still holding pressure. Pressed for
time -- she needed to get one the road and I needed to get to work -- I was
forced to take the owner's manual at it's word and drive the car onward to
my office.

The dashboard display started telling me about low tire pressure as I pulled
into the parking lot (a 2 mile drive from the car rental place). As I exited
the car I could hear the distinctive sound of air escaping and saw that the
puckered spot was now flat...just the rip remained.

Later, after determining which local NAB had the monster Eagle run-flats for
the car, I returned to the car and noted that the tire really didn't LOOK
all that different. After starting the car, the onboard display informed me
"front right tire is flat" then, "do not exceed 60 MPH", followed by
"reduced handling". The last one is perplexing because nothing really felt
all that different! The car easily drove the 8 miles to the NTB.

No longer will I shake my head at the 'insanity' of having a car without a
spare tire! The run-flats are rated to safely drive farther than the
"temporary use only" spares and often can be fixed in the traditional way.
(Not the big Eagles, though, but what tire can be fixed with massive
sidewall damage?)

- Eric Hambleton, Marietta, GA

16 eBay auctions happening now -- all 164 parts -- ending in 2 days time!
Search for seller ID ejham_2001.
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