Run-Flat Tires: How Far You Can Drive, Repairs and Replacing Them
How run-flat tires work, how far and fast you can drive after a puncture, the markings to look for, repairs, and what to know before switching to regular tires.
Run-flat tires let you keep driving after a puncture, so you can reach a safe place or a shop instead of changing a wheel at the roadside. BMW and MINI fit them widely, and some Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus and other models use them too.
How they work
A run-flat has reinforced sidewalls stiff enough to carry the car’s weight with no air inside. A small number of systems use a support ring inside the wheel instead. Either way, your car needs a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), because with stiff sidewalls you may not feel that a tire is flat.
How far and how fast?
The usual standard is up to 80 km at up to 80 km/h after losing pressure. The real limit depends on the tire, the load in the car and the outside temperature, so check your owner’s manual. Drive gently, avoid sharp turns and get to a shop as soon as you can.
How to recognize them
Each brand has its own marking on the sidewall:
- RFT (Run Flat Tire): Bridgestone, Pirelli and others
- ROF (Run On Flat): Bridgestone, Dunlop
- SSR (Self-Supporting Runflat): Continental
- ZP (Zero Pressure): Michelin
- DSST, EMT: Dunlop, Goodyear
- MOE, AOE, RSC: carmaker markings for Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW run-flats
Product pages on our site say whether a tire is run-flat, and the run-flat tires page lists them by size.
Can a run-flat be repaired?
It depends on the tire maker and on how far it was driven flat. Some makers allow a standard tread repair if the tire was not driven flat; many shops replace any run-flat that was driven without air, because heat can damage the sidewall from the inside where you cannot see it. Ask your installer.
Can I switch to regular tires?
Yes, many owners do, for a softer ride, lower price or wider choice. Before switching:
- Plan for a flat. Cars that came with run-flats usually have no spare. Carry a sealant and compressor kit, or buy a spare wheel and jack if there is room.
- Match all four. Never mix run-flat and regular tires on the car.
- Match the load and speed rating on your door placard.
Keeping run-flats is still the simplest choice if you want the car to work as designed, especially if it has staggered sizes.
Run-flats in winter
Several winter tires come in run-flat versions, often with BMW or Mercedes markings. They carry the same three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol that Quebec requires from December 1 to March 15. Look up your car under tires by vehicle to see its sizes.
Frequently asked questions
How far can you drive on a run-flat tire?
Usually up to 80 km at up to 80 km/h after losing pressure, depending on the tire, the load and the temperature. Check your owner’s manual for your car’s limit.
Can run-flat tires be repaired?
Sometimes. Some tire makers allow a tread repair if the tire was not driven flat; many shops replace any run-flat driven without air because the sidewall can be damaged internally.
Can I replace run-flats with regular tires?
Yes, if all four match and meet the load and speed rating on your door placard. Since most such cars have no spare, carry a sealant and compressor kit or a spare wheel.
Do I need TPMS with run-flat tires?
Yes. With stiff sidewalls you may not notice a flat, so a tire pressure monitoring system is needed to warn you.