What is the Principle of Run-Flat Tires?
3 Answers
Principle of run-flat tires: By thickening the tire sidewalls, they can still bear the weight of the car after a puncture, allowing the vehicle to continue driving for a certain distance. Here are the relevant details: 1. Run-flat tires: The technical name for run-flat tires is "Tire Pressure Monitoring System", with the English abbreviation RSC. The inflated tire sidewall is the main part supporting the vehicle's weight, especially for tires with a larger aspect ratio (the ratio of tire height to width), where the sidewalls are very "thick". 2. Precautions: The quality of tires is related to driving safety, so always pay attention to the condition of the tires before driving.
Run-flat tires, to put it simply, have particularly thick sidewalls. You see, regular tires go flat as soon as they lose air, but these have a reinforced rubber layer with a support structure inside, like a mesh skeleton that holds up the rim. Even if a puncture causes complete air loss, they can still keep the car running for another 70-80 kilometers, giving you enough time to reach a repair shop. Last time I drove my friend's BMW with a flat tire, it was this feature that got me to the highway exit. However, they're about 2-3 kilograms heavier than regular tires, so you might feel the steering wheel is a bit stiffer when driving.
Run-flat tires fundamentally rely on reinforced sidewall structures to achieve safety redundancy. Their sidewalls utilize multiple layers of high-rigidity rubber compounded with aramid fibers, forming a spring-like support system. Even with zero internal air pressure, this reinforced structure can bear the vehicle's full weight without deformation. Mercedes-Benz's Runflat technology is a typical example. However, a key limitation is the inability to sustain prolonged zero-pressure driving - exceeding 80 kilometers or 80km/h may cause permanent structural damage. It's recommended to pair them with a tire pressure monitoring system for real-time alerts.
