RUNONFLAT – THE TYRE A PUNCTURE CAN’T STOP

Suffering a flat tyre at a dangerous, intimidating or simply inconvenient time ranks amongst one of the biggest fears of UK motorists.

There can be few sights that evoke more sympathy and concern from fellow motorists than that of a lone driver attempting to remove a punctured tyre while rain beats down, traffic whizzes past them and the light is too poor to see properly.

This is a scenario that is faced by thousands of people every day – but not motorists that have discovered Goodyear’s latest RunOnFlat technology, which allows a car to be driven safely for up to 50 miles at 50 miles per hour. Goodyear has forged a reputation for innovation in the motor industry, and the latest advancement of its original RunOnFlat technology has caught the imagination of the motoring consumer – as well as the industry’s most senior figures.

FACT: With a RunOnFlat you can drive with a totally flat tyre

Buyers for many of the world’s biggest car brands have decided that Goodyear RunOnFlat should be a key part of their latest designs, including BMW, who have the tyres as standard fitment on many of their new models. Goodyear Brand Manager Ben Crawley believes that BMW’s decision underlines just how highly rated RunOnFlat technology is.

He said: “BMW is widely regarded as a leader of automotive technology, so it is a glowing endorsement that this product is specified as standard on the 1 and 3 Series.

“As well as massive peace of mind and safety benefits to consumers, Goodyear RunOnFlat also gives motorists some vital extra space within the vehicle, as there is no need to provide for a spare tyre.

“Drivers also don’t have the worry of ensuring that their spare is in good condition, making sure all the changing equipment is working and in place, and worrying about what they would do if they got two punctures at the same time – with RunOnFlat you just drive to a convenient safe location to get them changed.”

And the list of accolades for RunOnFlat technology does not end at the BMW 1 and 3 Series. For starters, the German car giant also uses the tyres on its 5-Series, 6-Series and Bond Style Z4 models. The adaptability and wide ranging quality of RunOnFlat is best highlighted by the types of cars that have been fitted with it from the undoubted security and safety consciousness of the armoured Range Rover to the unrivalled speed of the Maserati Quattroporte or the finesse of the latest Rolls Royce Phantom.

These models require different qualities from RunOnFlat and Crawley is delighted that so many different types of vehicle are perfectly complimented by the tyre. He said: “The examples of cars that have been fitted with RunOnFlat shows just how versatile they are. On something like the Range Rover for instance, it would hardly be worth having an armoured car if your tyres were a potential weakness – so the RunOnFlat tyres top off the package perfectly.

“Then, at the other end of the scale, there is the Rolls Royce Phantom, whose customers demand comprehensive safety and security, but with no compromise on the superb ride quality that the car is known for – again RunOnFlat has proved to be the solution.” That view was echoed by Goodyear Europe’s director of original equipment Benjamin Willot after RunOnFlat was chosen as an exclusive option for one of the world’s fastest and most desirable cars.

FACT: You can drive for around 50 miles on a RunOnFlat tyree

He said: “For Maserati to ask Goodyear to be the exclusive supplier of this product type for their 170mph Quattroporte is a tribute to their confidence in their RunOnFlat technology. “This is an extremely high performance car which requires the ultimate in handling performance, coupled with the benefits of RunOnFlat safety and convenience.” Goodyear led the way with the original runflat technology almost twenty years ago, and have constantly researched and improved the methods used, work which has culminated in the wall strengthened tyres, which currently outsell any competitor.

A motoring correspondent from the Birmingham Evening Mail, Goodyear’s home town newspaper, recently put RunOnFlat to the test after being told about the product by Corporate Communications Manager James Bailey.

Although the reporter in question had misgivings when he was asked to drill holes in all four of the car’s tyres before beginning a journey around the city, he soon found himself impressed with the results.

FACT: No spare tyre means you save space in your boot

He wrote: “The tyres in question were no ordinary tyres. They were the latest version of the company’s runflat model, designed to make life easier should the worst happen and you get a blowout in the fast lane of the motorway or in an area where you would be reluctant to get out of the vehicle at night, let alone change the wheel. “Despite the complete absence of air in the now holed RunOnFlats – they didn’t really look flat because of the reinforced sidewalls which act as a support to each side of the tyre.

“The quicker I went in the car the less sensation there was and at 50mph I could have been driving on fully inflated tyres. Normally you would get a heat build up when driving on deflated tyres but special compounds and silica and the unique construction of these tyres helps to dissipate heat so they are not damaged – a few more miles and I was convinced of the merits of the RunOnFlats.”

James Bailey has been the Goodyear representative responsible for introducing the tyres to the country’s motoring press, and he reports that the same reaction occurs on most occasions. He said: “The reporters sometimes doubt how the car will handle with four “punctures”, and are always very pleasantly surprised. “Quite a few noticed no handling difficulties at all with all four tyres damaged, even though it would be extremely rare for a motorist to experience such misfortune. “There was also a massive realisation of the safety benefits when we set about driving 50 miles on the tyres, as it becomes clear that people suffering a puncture could just drive home and get it fixed when it suits him or her, even if it’s the next day.”

One thing is for sure – RunOnFlat technology meets the needs of modern motorists head on – whilst conducting Europe-wide research Goodyear discovered that 74 per cent of people primarily expect safety from their tyres, with comfort following closely and performance also cited as a key factor.

The advanced technology utilised by RunOnFlat means it can offer all three, with peace of mind thrown in as well.

Existing cars with RunOnFlat tyre system: BMW 1 Series, Mercedes S and E-Class and the new MINI

 

 

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