How run-flat tyres keep you moving after a puncture, which cars need them, and what to know before you change them.
A run-flat tyre has stiffer, reinforced sidewalls that hold the car up even when the tyre has lost its air. You can keep driving to a safe place or a tyre shop instead of changing a wheel at the roadside.
How far can you drive?
For Continental SSR tyres the maker allows up to 80 km at up to 80 km/h after a puncture. Check your car's handbook, because the limit can depend on the load and the vehicle.
Which cars need run-flats?
Many BMW, MINI and Mercedes-Benz models come with run-flat tyres and no spare wheel. If your car has no spare, it was most likely designed for run-flats.
Things to know
- Your car needs a tyre-pressure warning system, because you may not feel that a run-flat is flat
- Do not mix run-flat and normal tyres on the same axle; fitting all four is best
- Run-flats ride a little firmer than normal tyres
- Ask before repairing a run-flat that has been driven flat
Shop run-flats
See our run-flat tyres, or read what SSR, MOE and ★ mean.
