Also called zero-pressure tires, run-flat tires are designed to support the weight of the vehicle for a short distance (50-150 miles, typically at up to 50-55 mph) after losing air, giving the driver a chance to get off the highway and find a repair shop without having to pull over and fix the flat, install a spare tire or call for help.

Typical costs:

Run-flat tires typically cost $150-$500 per tire for a passenger vehicle, or about 35%-200% more than standard tires. For example, for a 2010 BMW 328i sedan, Goodyear^[1] offers standard tires for $111-$192 or run-flat tires for $247 or $327. For a 2010 Mini-Cooper S Hardtop with 17" wheels, Goodyear/Dunlop^[2] has standard tires for $146-$174 or models with run-flat technology for $397 or $440 each.
Tires typically must be replaced in pairs, and many experts recommend doing all four at once, bringing total costs to $300-$1,000 for two run-flat tires or $600-$2,000 for four.

What should be included:

The most common type of run-flat tires have extra-strong sidewalls to help support the vehicle if the air escapes from the tire. In addition to allowing the car to be driven to a repair shop without damage, these run-flat tires provide better handling after a blowout. However, stiff sidewalls provide a harder ride and run-flat tires typically weigh more than standard tires; the tread might not wear as long; and blowouts are still possible if the vehicle is driven farther than the maximum distances (50-150 miles, depending on the tire) or maximum speed (typically 50-55 mph) after a tire loses air. Some consumers also dislike the fact that cars that are factory-equipped with run-flat tires do not come with a spare tire and jack. Edmunds.com provides an overview of run-flat tires^[3] , including the pros and cons.
An alternative, the Michelin PAX run-flat tire^[4] , has less-rigid sidewalls and relies on a semi-rigid "support ring" inside the tire. Special equipment is needed to mount and dismount PAX tires, making them difficult and expensive to repair (and it can be hard to find a shop that handles them). Michelin stopped development of these tires^[5] in 2008. Cars that came equipped with PAX tires include the 2005-2009 Honday Odyssey Touring models, 2006-2008 Nissan Quest, 2006-2008 Acura RL and 2005-2009 Toyota Sienna.
Although run-flat tires are less than 1% of the tire market, most BMWs^[6] and Mini-Cooper S models^[7] come factory-equipped with run-flat tires (and have no spare tire or jack).

Additional costs:

It can be hard to tell when a run-flat tire has lost air, so they are required to a have a tire pressure monitoring system (now also mandatory standard equipment for new cars). If the vehicle has TPMS (there will be a dashboard light), each time a tire is taken off for service or replacement, the valve service kit (valve core, cap, nut, o-ring) must be replaced, at a typical cost of about $5-$10 per wheel. If the pressure sensors need replacing, that can cost $50-$250.

Shopping for a run-flat tire:

While not as common as standard tires, run-flat tires are available at car dealerships; tire stores like Firestone^[8] or Goodyear^[9] ; and in automotive departments at retailers like Sears^[10] .
Run-flat tire manufacturers include Bridgestone^[11] , Dunlop^[12] , Firestone^[13] , Goodyear^[14] , Kumho^[15] , Michelin^[16] , Pirelli^[17] and Yokohama^[18] .

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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Cost to repair or plug a run flat tire

Amount: $105.00

Posted by: Elaine Chandler in Sterling, VA.	Posted: March 28th, 2016 01:03PM
Tire Brand: can't remember	Tire Model: can't remember
Tire Shop: Foreign Car Service

Today, (it's been 2 years with my tires since purchase) I had two tires, both driver side tires punctured. A bolt was in the front one and a screw in the back one. They charged $105.00 for both

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