How to Fix a Run-Flat Tire
Tire blowouts are dangerous and flat tires are annoying. Tire companies solved these problems by marketing run-flat tires. These tires are designed to be able to keep the car in drivable condition for up to 200 miles. Some tires have stiffer sidewalls that take the place of air, if the air is missing. Others have a self sealant in them to repair themselves as damage occurs. This is helpful for driver safety in case of a tire emergency. Run-flat tires that self seal can only be fixed by replacing the tire. Others may be fixed in the traditional manner.
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Instructions
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Instructions
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1
Loosen the lugs on the flat tire, but do not remove them. Loosening them while the car is on the ground makes removing them later much easier.
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2
Jack up the car according to the directions in the owner's manual. Each car has a specific place for the jack to be located for safety reasons.
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3
Finish removing the lug nuts from the wheel. Remove the flat tire and place a jack stand under the car. If anything happens with the jack, the jack stand will prevent the car from falling.
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4
Take the flat tire to a repair shop. The tire has to be removed from the rim with specialized tools. Let the technicians know that it is a run-flat tire, and if there is a tire pressure monitoring system in the tire. Extra care needs to be taken when removing the tire with a monitoring system so that the system does not get damaged. Repairs to the tire itself are the same as with other tires at this point.
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5
Make sure the jack is still holding and remove jack stand. Place the repaired tire on the car and start the lug nuts, but do not tighten them yet.
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6
Lower the car and remove the jack from under car. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Check the tire pressure, either with a gauge or in the car with the monitoring system.
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References
- Photo Credit Heat and flat tire image by Vladimir Jovanovic from Fotolia.com
