How to Distinguish Between Run-Flat Tires and Regular Tires?

[Rudy]

There are several methods to distinguish between run-flat tires and regular tires: 1. Check for run-flat markings on the tire sidewall. Tires with run-flat markings are run-flat tires, while those without are regular tires. Common run-flat markings include RSC, but they vary by brand. For example, Bridgestone uses RFT, Pirelli uses R-F, Continental uses SSR, Dunlop uses ROF, and Michelin uses ZP (sometimes RSC). Note that run-flat markings are not a tread pattern but appear in combination with the tread pattern, e.g., Michelin Primacy-HP-ZP. 2. Sensory identification: Press the tire sidewall with your hand. Run-flat tires have thicker and sturdier sidewalls compared to regular tires. However, this method works better for comfort-oriented tires with softer sidewalls. For wear-resistant tires, the sidewalls are also hard, making the difference less noticeable. The simplest method remains checking for run-flat markings. 3. Beyond safety, run-flat tires and regular tires differ in price and maintenance costs, with run-flat tires being more expensive. They also use different materials. Run-flat tires consist of an outer tire, a standard inner tube, a spare inner tube, a steel rim, a gas generator (or air chamber), a pressure sensor, and a control unit, whereas regular tires are made of standard steel radial materials.