MAS

iTrader: (3)

Has anyone ever considered putting run flat tires on their TL? I'm looking to buy new tires very soon and i can buy run flat versions of the same tires i'm considering for an extra $40 per tire. The reason i'm considering it is because i could take out the spare tire and lose some weight. Not sure how much the spare weighs so i dont know how much payback this would give.

Either way I just thought i'd ask......Your comments are welcomed.

01tl4tl

take weight out of the trunk and put it directly on the gyroscope at the axles? why?
Dont you have the TPMS on your year?
Or a tire guage once a month at home spots trouble coming

The weight of the spare is fine where it is, wont improve gas mileage any more than putting owner book in storage at home instead of glovebox

Cars that come with them have special rims and other weight control issue to help balance the total

I hate cars

It's ok as long as you have TPMS. Without TPMS runflats are a hazard because they're still limited to 50mph and only for a certain amount of time till they overheat. With the ultra stiff sidewalls it's nearly impossible to tell when they're flat.

But 01tl4tl is right. You're taking the static weight from the trunk and turning it into dynamic weight at the wheels for a net loss. While the runflats don't weigh as much as the spare, you will likely lose more performance than if you keep the spare and normal tires since it's rotating weight.

If you have ever been on the Vette forums you would see how much the owners hate the factory runflats of certain years due to ride quality issues and from what I remember lack of performance.

However for those of us that use the spare tire well for amps and audio equipment, runflats aren't a bad idea.

Will Y.

Basically, I have yet to hear anything good about runflats for any type of car or minivan-- every forum and article I've seen concludes that runflats have inferior ride, noise, handling and response compared to conventional tires.

BDoggPrelude

To add to that, runflats also wear quicker and more unevenly compared to conventional tires. As far as weight is concerned, depending on the tires, the additional weight of the runflats will most likely equal if not surpass the wieght of the temporary spare. Also, like said above, your adding to both the rotational weight, (making the motor use more power just to turn the wheels), and the unsprung weight, (reducing the handling of your car). Taking into account the loss of performance, ride quality, tire longevity and added costs to you it seems like a losing situation all the way around.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

To add to the above, cars with OE RFT have suspensions designed for that application, the TL does not. Stay with non RFT.

MAS

iTrader: (3)

Great.....run flats are no longer on the radar....THX everyone

I hate cars

I don't think we've every had a thread where everyone agrees on something.

Bender

I have heard stories about people not knowing they had a flat with run flats. I just check my tires like I have done with past vehicles. I also had taken the spare out for some time and didn't notice any difference, gas mileage or other.

Lighter rims would be a better way to go.

Kikirra

+1 hahaha