As the name implies, run-flat tires allow you to run your vehicle even when the tires are flat. They need a repair, of course, but not before a 50-miles drive at a speed of 50 mph (the range and speed would depend on the tire). The best run flat tires come with various other benefits:
- Even with a complete air loss or blowout, these tires are strong enough to keep the vehicle stabilized, thus saving you from accidents.
- Since you can keep driving your car with flat tires to a certain distance, your chances of getting stranded on the way are minimum. You will definitely find a tire shop within a 50 miles radius.
- With these tires, you do not need a spare. It saves valuable boot space to carry extra luggage, which you otherwise have to leave back home or cram inside the cabin.
- With no spare, your vehicle’s weight drops, thus offering you better performance, less fuel consumption, and ultimately fewer emissions.
Although the best run flat tires offer massive advantages, they come with some cons.
- They are a lot more expensive than the typical tires. It is the reason most carmakers do not install them on their new vehicles to keep the cost low.
- Since most flat-run tires have a tough sidewall, the drive is harsh. However, the advanced iterations of these tires are better than the older models combined with the automaker’s well-thought-out suspension.
- Better install them on a vehicle with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) because you won’t know when the tire pressure drops without it. It will lead to premature tire wear.
Gauging the pros and cons, if you believe you should invest in run-flat tires, pick from our list of best run flat tires for 2023-2024. We have chosen the top run-flat tires after careful evaluation, examining the positives and negatives of each. The list contains all types of tires to suit the needs of different drivers and conditions, including all-season, winter, and summer tires.
Table of Contents
5 Best Run Flat Tires
1) Bridgestone DriveGuard Plus – Best Grand-Touring All-Season Run-Flat Tires
Bridgestone is one of the most successful brands in producing run-flat tires. Over the years, it has sold more than 3 million tires in the run-flat category. The DriveGuard Plus is the tire maker’s latest creation – the successor of its popular DriveGuard.
Introduced in April 2022, it comes with the same drive range (50 miles at the speed of 50 mph) as its older sibling. However, the manufacturer further strengthened its sidewalls to support the load rating. In addition, Bridgestone introduced a new Cooling Fin tech to lessen the heat build-up in the sidewalls, aiding the tire in traveling up to 50 miles with little to no risk of exploding.
The Japanese tire manufacturer has also boosted the wet traction as the circumferential and lateral grooves become more adept at expelling water from the tread surface. Furthermore, open shoulder slots and deep grooves assist in cutting the danger of hydroplaning.
The DriveGuard Plus is also an improved version in terms of comfort, courtesy of NanoPro-Tech Sidewall Technology. It helps reduce road noise through twin internal steel belts with boost cushioning. It will allow you to experience a noise-free and vibration-free ride.
Pros:
- Drive up to 50 miles at a speed of 50 mph without air pressure
- Superb performance in rain and snow due to improved traction
- A noise-free ride due to NanoPro-Tech Sidewall Tech
- Great tread life and treadwear warranty of 65,000 miles
Cons:
- These best run flat tires are expensive.
2) Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP – Best GT All-Season Run-Flat Tires
The Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP is better than the DriveGuard Plus if you need extra traction on wet and light snowy roads. However, mind that ice traction isn’t very inspiring since it is an all-season tire.
The manufacturer employs an M+S rated tread compound for development, which means these tires follow the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) rules for above-average mud and snow performance.
On the other hand, the Primacy MXM4ZP offers the best handling on dry and wet roads. You will experience a balanced ride even while surpassing the traction limit. The tire’s stopping distance is also among the shortest in the class, with excellent steering response and precision.
Besides their supreme traction, these are one of the best run flat tires when it comes to comfort with little to no noise. You will not hear any tread roar on the highways, but the ride is harsh.
On the downsize, the treadwear warranty of 6 years / 30k miles is about half of DriveGuard Plus, which offers a 65,000 miles warranty. In addition, you get a Uniformity Warranty of one year / first 2/32″ of wear and a Workmanship Warranty of 6 Years / Free replacement first year.
Pros
- Run excellently on wet roads owing to their excellent traction rating
- Superb handling and grip on dry roads
- You can even use these tires on light snow
- They are relatively quiet on highways
- Run-flat range of 50 miles at a speed of 50 mph
- Best suited for posh sedans and high-end coupes
Cons
- The tread life and treadwear warranty aren’t impressive
- The ride quality is stiffer than the DriveGuard and its Plus variant
3) Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 RFT – Best Winter Run-Flat Tire
Just like the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25, the LM-25 RFT is an exceptional tire for winter driving. You can keep driving on snow with a flat tire at a speed of 50 mph for 50 miles rather than waiting for help closing the windows and shivering in the freezing weather.
These best run flat tires from Bridgestone offer satisfactory grip and hydroplaning resistance along with optimum steering responsiveness and above-average braking distances. These tires use a high-silica tread compound carved into lens-cut blocks and a tread mold. The straight, big grooves aid in improving snow traction and drain water. It is all we need in the best winter tires, right?
In addition, these best winter tires come with extra biting edges to enhance dry handling as well as grip on snow and ice, eliminating the need for typical studs. The brand’s UNI-T technology increases the rubber’s life even if used at high speeds.
The downside of this tire is ‘zero treadwear warranty,’ but you would get a Uniformity Warrant on the first 1/32-inch of wear.
Pros
- Excellent grip on snow and icy roads
- Superb responsiveness
- Equally good to drive on dry and wet surfaces
Cons
- Zero warranty on treadwear
4) Pirelli Scorpion Verde Run Flat – Best Performance Summer Run-Flat Tires for Trucks and SUVs.
If you can compromise a little on ride quality and accelerated tread wear, the Scorpion Verde Run Flat is one of the best summer run-flat tires for your truck and SUV. Pirelli designed these specifically for performance trucks and SUVs. The road grip is sublime; it doesn’t matter if you drive it on a dry or wet surface.
These tires also offer quick and accurate steering and are a must for performance driving in summer.
Pros
- Remarkably responsive and gripping in the corners
- Stable handling and robust braking on dry roads
- Excellent traction on wet roads
Cons
- Ride quality isn’t good
- Disturbing tread-life wearing claims
5) Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-On-Flat – Best Performance Run-Flat Tire
The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 is an ideal tire for high-performance cars, delivering a unique driving experience. The performance tire is unbelievably responsive, brakes faultlessly, and has excellent grip. The best part is its quietness on the highways.
The grip on wet roads isn’t satisfactory, specifically in heavy rain, but we can’t blame the F1 Asymmetric 3 for that. It is a summer tire, so it is best on dry surfaces.
Goodyear has employed Active Braking Technology to lessen the braking distance. However, the braking distance on wet roads is not on par with its rivals. On the other hand, Goodyear improved the tire’s robust feel with an asymmetrical tread pattern having a center rib. This design offers better control during uneven corning.
Moreover, the outer shoulders enhance the grip even further, while the four broad circumferential grooves lessen the possibility of hydroplaning.
Apart from offering superb handling and traction, the users have reported remarkable smoothness and quietness during their rides. The smooth drive comes courtesy of the tire’s stable tread. These best run flat tires also boast a polyester cord that holds two steel belts fastened with spirally covered polyamide for added durability and robustness.
Drivers who have used the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tires say that the latest iteration is quieter than the previous ones, which is perhaps due to the Sound Comfort Tech. Goodyear covered the inner liner with a film of polyurethane foam to soak up most of the noises created while driving.
The manufacturer also safeguards these tires through a rim protector to avoid damage trigged by curbs, road rubble, and other threats. The F1 tires are accessible in 17-20 inch diameters, in addition to an array of run-flat sizes. Goodyear offers W or Y-speed rating.
FAQs
Are run-flat tires securer than standard tires?
That said, you should understand that they will not work normally after the air loss. In other words, deflated tires may not perform well during corning and braking.
What are the Various Kinds of Run-Flat Tires?
1. Self-Supporting System: The self-supporting tires get robust sidewalls that can hold the weight of a vehicle as the rubber loses its complete air.
2. Support Ring System: These tires get an internal ring of tough rubber that retains the automobile in a drivable state, even with complete air loss.
3. Self-Sealing: These tires automatically repair small punctures, so you do not have to do anything.
How can you tell if a run-flat tire is flat?
If you want to install the best run flat tires on your vehicle, make sure it has TPMS. Otherwise, these tires can compromise your safety.
Can you repair run-flat tires?
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed reading our reviews of the best run-flat tires. More importantly, we anticipate you will be able to pick the right run-flat tire for your vehicle according to your needs.
