Can you plug a run-flat tire?

[aussiex5]

I have a wood splinter in a Dueler H/L 400 everyone told me have to have a new tyre! Low pressure system did not pick it up either.

[NotEntirelyJack]

Was it in the sidewall? If so the tire should be replaced. Otherwise maybe the tire dealer wants to make some more cash?

[aussiex5]

No in the tread

[JCL]

If the tire repairer can not determine how far and fast you drove with it flat, then he can't be sure whether there was damage to the tire from heat, and it is safer to replace it. He isn't necessarily trying to make more cash, just doing the prudent thing.

Run flat tires are designed to get you safely to the side of the road, or the nearest repair facility, not to continue driving on.

[ard]

Originally Posted by JCL

. He isn't necessarily trying to make more cash, just doing the prudent thing.
.

I'd say the repairer is doing the most "prudent" thing for HIM, not for YOU.

These decisions are driven by liability risk, not technical or practical issues.

IMHO

A

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ard

I'd say the repairer is doing the most "prudent" thing for HIM, not for YOU.

These decisions are driven by liability risk, not technical or practical issues.

IMHO

A

The most prudent thing in my example is a technical issue. The tire is repairable if the repairer is satisfied that the tire has not been damaged by being driven on.

When I got a flat on a RFT on the Z4, I went to a good local tire store. The SA wanted to know the pressure, and the history of how low it went, how far I drove on it, etc. With that info, he was happy to repair it, since it was damaged in the tread and not the sidewall. If I had not been able to satisfy him, he would have refused to repair it. When I repaired tires years ago (long before RFT issues) I would have taken the same approach. I respected his honesty and decision process.

Look at the example outlined by stimulate, above. That tire was very likely not repairable after being driven for an extended period with incorrect inflation pressure. If owners are going to treat RFTs as not requiring air, then it is not surprising that repair facilities are going to recommend more replacement tires.

Sure, there is a liability risk. And it is entirely possible that the repairer referenced above may have just wanted to sell a tire. But it is possible that he was fully briefed in how to repair RFTs, and was following the technical recommendations of the manufacturer, as described above. Just my $0.02.

[jamesboags]

Originally Posted by JCL

If the tire repairer can not determine how far and fast you drove with it flat, then he can't be sure whether there was damage to the tire from heat, and it is safer to replace it. He isn't necessarily trying to make more cash, just doing the prudent thing.

Run flat tires are designed to get you safely to the side of the road, or the nearest repair facility, not to continue driving on.

I agree whilst run flats are great .. I would never assume that I can travel on them flat for any great distance... They aren't designed for that. After 500 miles your tire is shot.

[X5 Meister]

Good question. BMW issued an SIB on the topic of tire warranties and includes all the written warranties of all their tire suppliers to dealers so they can deal with it properly. Given how warranties are written these days, I'd say the buyer is screwed.

Originally Posted by ard

I've been wondering if people get BMW dealers to honor the mich warranty.... I suspect they'd just as soon sell a tire and be done with it.