tex2670

...except here. On the highway, I would call roadside assist to change to the spare.

Big Andy

Lil4X is right, carmakers don't fit run-flats as a cost-saving option - they actually cost more. They're fitted for safety reasons. One of the most dangerous situations you can find yourself in is trying to change a tyre by the side of a busy road, possibly at night and in poor visibility. If my wife is driving at night and gets a flat I want her to be able to continue her journey until she reaches a safe place.

xsh0tya

LOL interesting point of view. My reasoning for wanting one, is that sometimes I forget my phone and I would rather have a shot of driving to help on a spare than having to try and play Survivor Man. When driving at off peak hours or even during peak hours, I would rather depend on myself, than depending on the kindness of strangers.
If you drive a decent distance on a rim, you are replacing it, however if you fuss with a spare your odds of having to replace a rim is significantly less.

mmarshall

Maybe. They often DO cost more at tire-shops when you go to replace them...whether they do or not at the factory-assembly level, in bulk, is unclear. But that's clearly not the case with temps and donuts. You also may not be taking into account the cost-effect of the wheel itself. Most temps and donuts are mounted on thin, somewhat weak stamped-steel wheels that are made as cheaply as possible (one reason for their 50-MPH, 50-mile limits). Traditional full-size spares were usually (but not always) mounted on the same alloy or steel-wheels that were on the rest of the car. Traditional full-size spares/wheels can also be used for regular tire-rotation, thereby extending the lives of the other four tires some 20%....temps and donuts can't.

Toys4RJill

I would say that there are a mix of reasons as to they install run flats. I think fuel economy is first and foremost the main reason, two would be safety, three would be cost cutting (when they have a smaller spare for regular tires).

The Sienna has a spare for all models except the AWD version. This must be for fuel and mpg reason and then for space reasons to fit in the awd parts.

Cost cutting is the last reason why they would put run flats on car.

VVRX

Traditional full-sized spares are also more cost effective considering a temp tire is pretty much useless after one tire change.

MikeP

Example of why a spare, preferably full size, should be provided. About 5 years ago I was on I-10 in bumper to bumper traffic, evacuating for a hurricane. I had 3 other people, 2 elderly women, in the car when my TPMS started beeping. I had driven past some road construction and evidently rolled over a sharp object. I waited until an exit and pulled over to inspect the tires. The rear passenger tire was flat and a little shredded from driving on it to the exit. I unpacked the trunk and pulled out the full sized spare (LS430) and changed the tire. I can't lie and tell you I didn't utter some foul language, but I was very grateful we were able to continue our journey without another interruption. It would have been impossible for Roadside Assisstance to get to us because of the traffic and other roadblocks along the way. I would have traded all of the electronic gagets or luxury items on that LS for a full size spare that day. Maybe even today.

Toys4RJill

Ideally I would take a full size spare matching the original tires. That would be the best for a very long trip.

gsrthomas

iTrader: (1)

One of the main things I had to have on my next car purchase was having a spare tire. Glad the 2012 crv has a spare. I originally wanted the rav4 sport but it no longer came with a spare tire so I immediately crossed it off my list. Nothing like going on a road trip and have a flat tire and have to rely on someone for help. I rather just change the tire and go one my way.

My M3 doesn't have a spare tire also and it doesnt come with run flats either. Thankfully it's just a fun vehicle for me that I don't use on any long distance road trips.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

Look into Bridgestones new 3g runflats... they are just as comfortable and perform as well as a normal tire...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=156

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

how do you figure?

that 50 mile number doesn't mean you can only use it for 50 miles, it means you can only use it for 50 miles before you should stop, let it cool down, before you go again... it is a temperature thing

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

Sorry, but this is not the case.

The reason those limits are there is because the temp tire is carrying as much weight as a normal tire, but with 1/2 the air volume, which is why they have a 60 psi inflation pressure. because of this weight, the tire gets very hot during service and 50 miles at 50 mph is the acceptable limit of heat the tire can take at one time. What many don't realize is that after 50 miles, you can stop, let the tire cool for a period of time (use some common sense, the hotter it is outside, the longer you should wait, the tire should not feel hot to the touch), and then drive again... so long as there is tread on the tire and cords aren't showing through anywhere, should be good...

VVRX

Obviously,. I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Thanks, read through it and very impressed, so tire manufacturers are working on improved ROF tires! Too bad the Bridgestone run flat doesn't come in the size of my tires.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

my old '06 explorer has a full size spare.