Self Supporting Tyres Buying Guide
If you've ever been late for a date, appointment, or meeting because of a flat tyre 
, you already know how frustrating it can be. If you've ever changed a flat in the rain, after dark, or on the side of a busy interstate, you already know how frightening it can be. So while we enjoy the freedom that our vehicles provide, it's amazing how quickly that freedom vanishes when a flat tyre strands us. While the tyre manufacturers' continuous research and development efforts have improved tyre durability and longevity, only recently have they developed self-supporting tyres that can temporarily maintain vehicle mobility. These "run flat tyres" provide the driver more flexibility when deciding just where to go for that tyre repair .
An Overview
Self-supporting tyres feature a stiff internal construction, which is capable of temporarily carrying the weight of the vehicle, even after the tyre has lost all air pressure. Because self-supporting tyres are so good at masking the traditional loss-of-air symptoms that accompany a flat tyre, they require a tyre pressure monitoring system to alert the driver that they have lost air pressure. Without such a system, the driver may not notice under-inflation and may inadvertently cause additional tyre damage by failing to inflate or repair the tyre at the first opportunity.
How they work:
- They attach rubber inserts next to or between layers of heat-resistant cord in their side walls; this helps prevent the breaking of the reinforcing cords in the event of lost air pressure.
- They also feature specialised beads that allow the tyre to firmly grip current equipment and/or after-market wheels even in the event of air loss.
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