Can you plug a run-flat tire?
 

I had a nail in the tread of one of my Mich Latitudes that I use for a winter set up. What's the rule on this?

Depends on how far and fast you have driven on the tyre when it was flat ultimately. I have had a continental RFT plugged. This is the reality if you ask the tyre manufacturer they will have a different story and only Dunlop from memory actually claim a repair is possible...

Depends on how long you drove the RFT after the flat, how big/location of the puncture.

Yes you can. I have had punctures plugged on my Z4 without any problems.

Just make sure they use a combination of plug/patch that is applied from the inside of the tire, and not just a quickie plug inserted from the outside.

+1 to that.

I did it on my 335 and plan on it with my x5. If they are not repairable and you have Michelins the warranty (Michelin) should cover a replacement.

I plugged my Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport RFT 20" on 15000km with no problem. Already running at 25000km and everything is normal.

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.

Recent experience with RFT
 

I have a 2009 x35d with Dueler 400HL 18" RFT. There were 8K miles when I bought it and I have added 8K miles in 3 months. I bought the Tire and Wheel insurance from the dealer at the time of purchase. CNA is the insurer and I paid $971 for five years of tire and wheel coverage.

This past week I started the car to begin a 500 mi round trip and got the Low Tire Pressure message on a rear tire. The pressure was 10 psi. Instead of leaving that night, I filled it to 40 psi and checked the next morning. 25 psi. I decided to overfill it and take the drive, with periodic stops to check the tire.

I made the trip with no problems but did have to add air periodically. I know it was a bit risky, but there was no way to get a repair or a rental car in time.

I called CNA and found out how to process a claim. Today I took it to a Firestone dealer who had the tire in stock. The process was very quick. CNA has hours on Saturday from 6AM to 3PM Mountain Time. The tire and labor would have cost $278.

I have read threads about the pros and cons of RFT and the insurance. In my case the RFT allowed me to make the drive on a leaky tire with an extra measure of safety, and the insurance is starting to pay off.

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.

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

No in the tread

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'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.

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.

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.