[doronin]

I suppose this question may sound stupid, but I still wanna understand it.

If I go travel far from home... let's say around Gaspesie, I don't really know how often run-flat replacement for my tire will be available there in a radius 80km. I doubt every country shop has 'em.

Even if I were to buy fifth RFT as a spare (which would be totally ridiculous), I would still need my not-so-large trunk for stuff, not for extra wheel and jack, so this is out.

So, how are we suppose to travel with run-flats?

[BMW Newbie]

Originally Posted by doronin

I suppose this question may sound stupid, but I still wanna understand it.

If I go travel far from home... let's say around Gaspesie, I don't really know how often run-flat replacement for my tire will be available there in a radius 80km. I doubt every country shop has 'em.

Even if I were to buy fifth RFT as a spare (which would be totally ridiculous), I would still need my not-so-large trunk for stuff, not for extra wheel and jack, so this is out.

So, how are we suppose to travel with run-flats?

I've heard that someone has driven on a puncture RFT for months till he finally replaced it.

[kenneth]

Wouldn't one of those Tire repair kit provide temporary solution? So get a Tire repair Kit + air compressor to alleviate your concern.

[MechUT]

When I had a nail in my RFT, I had to wait till the next day for the dealer to get a replacement! Other tire stores in the area did not stock it either. And this is in the GTA!

I would think that, If a patch and seal kit can keep a regular tire going for about 200km, it should do wonders when paired with a run flat.

[BMdblU]

I've heard they can't be repaired

[achien]

Originally Posted by BMW Newbie

I've heard that someone has driven on a puncture RFT for months till he finally replaced it.

yeah, and I also heard his rims also needs to be replaced...

[halB]

The issue is with the sidewall reinforcement that takes over and allows the tire to stand up and hold the weight of the vehicle in the absence of air in it. This sidewall reinforcement deteriorates with use and that's why runflats only have 80mi or 130km of range without air. Since tire manufacturers have no way to tell how far have you gone since running out of air, they would rather take the default position and recommend you to replace the tire after each flat to protect themselves against liabilities. So theoretically you can patch a runflat tire if it is patchable, as long as you keep track on how much of the 130km sidewall reinforcement life has left.

Given that, it will be a good idea to carry an air pump kit that comes with a can of sealant, such as the Canadian Tire Airman Tire Repair Kit for $49.99 (never in stock!) or a similar one by Continental Tire. BMW sells a similar M Mobility for their M cars that do not come with runflats but it is a lot more expensive (I believe Leatherz sells it too). With such kit you can temporary patch the hole, as long as it is not overly large and not on the sidewall, as soon as it is practical after the flat occurs, and put air back in to preserve the sidewall reinforcement. This way you can buy some time to look for a repair shop and reuse the same tire for the remainder of the flat usage limit.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...romSearch=true

[Gearhead999s]

I plugged a 19" runfat in Tennessee and put another 5000kms on it before it started a slow leak.It had a fair sized puncture caused by a screw imbedded in the tread.There where no tires in stock in Canada and I finally had one sent from Tirerack at a fraction of the cost in Canada.Bridgestone does not even have a warehouse in Canada anymore,everything comes out of the states.
On one of our trips I had a flat on a 18" on my E46 M3 and the inflater kit would not inflate the tire.So it was flatbedded to Knoxville where a amazingly they had a tire in stock.Anyway you look at it, not having a spare is a royal pain in the butt

[kenneth]

So traditional repair kit (gummed cord and needle) + air compressor?

[halB]

Originally Posted by kenneth

So traditional repair kit (gummed cord and needle) + air compressor?

Traditional repair kit will be great you you know how to use it. For the rest it is more like a compressor and a can of sealant, or an Airman kit, Continental kit or M Mobility kit, and a cell phone to call 411 to find the neareat tire repair shop.

BMW Roadside Assistant comes in handly in such situation. If you can afford the waiting time you can get a tow truck or flatbed from them to bring you to a tire shop to do the patch before putting too many miles on the flat tire.

That is if you can find a tire shop that is willing to repairs on runflats. Some of them are so brainwashed by tire manufaturers they won't do it.

[TheDarkone]

see page 73 in your owners manual. It has all important specs and what to do if the tire becomes damage/air situation. You also have roadside assistance to back you if you need towing service. If you bought the tire warranty you're ahead of the game.

Don't worry, take your trip. Don't let a tire hold you back from having fun.

[MechUT]

I still think using a patch and seal kit on a run flat is the best option we have. That, and calling roadside assistance.

The ContiComfortKit from Continental is great. It's small, and as per the instructions, very easy to use. It is also a great way to check tire pressure and the compressor can be used to top up air in your tires as well, because technically, you need to do this at home when the tires are cold, before driving the car.

Since these cars are performance machines, if you occasionally drive aggressively, or at high speeds, you really should consider replacing tires and not patching them. Patching compromises the speed ratings of tires.

[doronin]

Originally Posted by MechUT

The ContiComfortKit from Continental is great. It's small, and as per the instructions, very easy to use.

Where is it available in Canada?

[doronin]

Did anyone has a chance to try Tire Airman Tire Repair Kit in real flat tire situation? How easy or difficult is to apply it on the go?

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by doronin

Did anyone has a chance to try Tire Airman Tire Repair Kit in real flat tire situation? How easy or difficult is to apply it on the go?

Haven't had an "opportunity" to use it, but I have put it together. It seems that it is the Conti kit and is easy to use.

[BMW Newbie]

Originally Posted by doronin

Did anyone has a chance to try Tire Airman Tire Repair Kit in real flat tire situation? How easy or difficult is to apply it on the go?

Bite your tongue. Hope nobody ever have to use it....just sit nice n safe in the trunk.

[TheDarkone]

Originally Posted by BMW Newbie

Bite your tongue. Hope nobody ever have to use it....just sit nice n safe in the trunk.

Murphys law states:

"The one day that you forget it at home is the day you will need it".

damn you Murphy!

[peazs]

i believe they can travel up to 150miles or 240km at reduced speeds when punctured/deflated

[doronin]

Here's the review: http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/airman.htm

[halB]

It look like the ContiComfortKit and the Airman Tire Repair Kit are exactly the same product, with only minor cosmetic differences. See these photos (Conti left, Airman right). I had visited a number of Canadian Tire stores for the Airman kit and couldn't find it in stock anywhere. The store availability list on their web site is a total lie. I resolved to order one online last week and hope it will show up. The refill bottle, however, is available in many stores so that's a comforting thought.

[ehhhwik]

Originally Posted by halB

It look like the ContiComfortKit and the Airman Tire Repair Kit are exactly the same product, with only minor cosmetic differences. See these photos (Conti left, Airman right). I had visited a number of Canadian Tire stores for the Airman kit and couldn't find it in stock anywhere. The store availability list on their web site is a total lie. I resolved to order one online last week and hope it will show up. The refill bottle, however, is available in many stores so that's a comforting thought.

i bought one of those in a Walmart for $35

[halB]

I was in a Walmart superstore yesterday and they only have a green Smart Spair kit made by Slime. No Airman there. The Slime kit works differently - you have to put the sealant in first and then air. It is not as straight forward as Airman and takes longer because it takes two steps instead of one.

http://www.slimesealant.com/index.ph...product_id=122