[skat]

Picked up my 08 Cooper on Friday and it has the 205/45/17 Dunlop Sport runflats ~ which I believe is the stock issue, I was given the tyre insurance for free (after a bit of haggling), but have yet to read the blurb on the paperwork provided.

Can someone explain the difference between runflats and 'normal' tyres and why BMW Mini put runflats on in the first place. Have tried to read a few posts about the runflats, but most of the comments are negative regarding the 'ride', but doesn't really explain much about them. Also have noted that folks say some tyre places wont repair runflats and I wondered why.

Any advice for a mini newbie would be gratefully received ~ thanks

[Paul]

Have a quick read through the wheel and tyre FAQs: http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_wheels_tyres then let us know if there's anything left unanswered.

[skat]

Thanks Paul, had a read and kinda understand ~ a bit techie for me though.
Think I'll have a read of the bumph I have, especially regarding the tyre insurance and see if that helps as well and need to work out where the tyre pressure management thingy is ~ so if I start to lose pressure I'll recognise the signal.

Just one quick question ~ was is the optimum PSI for these tyres and do folks just rely on the system warning of any loss, or check manually.

[Randall Raines]

Quote: Originally Posted by skat (original)

Thanks Paul, had a read and kinda understand ~ a bit techie for me though.
Think I'll have a read of the bumph I have, especially regarding the tyre insurance and see if that helps as well and need to work out where the tyre pressure management thingy is ~ so if I start to lose pressure I'll recognise the signal.

Just one quick question ~ was is the optimum PSI for these tyres and do folks just rely on the system warning of any loss, or check manually.

On the pressure issue, I'm not sure what the actual pressures should be but it will tell you in your hand-books, "the tyre pressure management thingy" as you put it , is better at picking up a sudden loss of pressure, a slow puncture / loss of pressure is not always detected as easy (all tyres will lose some pressure over time), so your best checking what pressures your MINI should have and also check the pressures from time to time manually, and remember to reset the system if the pressures have been altered , there are threads on here on how to reset the system or again, read your hand-books.

[DaFlake]

Basically run flats have thinker sidewalls which allow the vehicle to be supported with little to no air for a short amount of time. So, if you get a puncture and the tire goes flat, you can still drive (slowly) on the tire to get to where you are going. The reason that they put them on the car is because you have no place to put a spare tire.

As for pressure, you should always look at the panel on the inside of the door toget the correct pressure for your car. Stick to that and you will be fine. As Randall stated above, the pressure system only monitors the speed of the tire rotation. When that changes, then the will trip the light as it thinks there is a flat. The system does not monitor the actual pressure in the tire. So, it is always a good idea to make sure you check your pressure from time to time.

[Randall Raines]

Thanks! "DaFlake", I forgot about the sticker on the post on the inside of the drivers door .

On the flat tyre issue, once you have a flat again as "DaFlake" says you can still drive slowly!, but the problem with the run-flats is once you have driven on them flat, this can / could damage the tyre and the Main Dealers & tyre shops / fitters will advise you to replace the tyre which can be expensive (not so bad if your tyre is near the end of it's life but mine is normally the best tyre that goes ), so you're best of getting to a safe place or to a tyre shop / fitters ASAP to get it repaired / sorted out if needed (hopefully in time to save the tyre ).

The warning system runs off the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) / sensors and not pressures again as "DaFlake" states but I thought that getting into all that would be a little bit "techie" for you "skat" .

[skat]

Thats a great help ~ many thanks to you all.
I haven't really read much of the handbook so far, coz I've been trying to spend as much time out and about in my new toy.
Plan to sit and read up this evening and will have a look at the sticker on the inside of the door re the tyre pressures.

Oh, and thanks for keeping it simple Not that I am, I hasten to add, just not good with cars ~ just love driving is all.

[Hyper Active]

Hi skat .

I found that 34 psi all round gave good wear across the whole width of each tyre, on my runflats . You will find the front tyres will wear out quicker than the rears do though. But thats quite normal for any front wheel drive car.

I would check the tyre pressures every 2 weeks with a digital tyre pressure gauge, as i found runflats don't hold there pressure as well as normal tyres do . I wouldn't let them go down below 32 psi either, as the outside and inside edges will start to wear quicker than the middle does .

[Randall Raines]

Quote: Originally Posted by skat (original)

Thats a great help ~ many thanks to you all.
I haven't really read much of the handbook so far, coz I've been trying to spend as much time out and about in my new toy.

I don't blame you, that's just what everyone else would do.

Quote: Originally Posted by skat (original)

Plan to sit and read up this evening and will have a look at the sticker on the inside of the door re the tyre pressures.

Best to read the hand-books though as you may find some little features you may otherwise miss but most importantly you will know or have some idea of what all the warning signals / lights are so that your not looking it up after the event , and to keep on track the info on reseting the run-flat warning light / tyre pressure warning light will be in there.

Quote: Originally Posted by skat (original)

Oh, and thanks for keeping it simple Not that I am, I hasten to add,

I wasn't implying anything by my comment (would be a little bit "techie" for you "skat" .), I only said it because you stated it earlier .

Quote: Originally Posted by skat (original)

just not good with cars ~ just love driving is all.

As are many people (just not good with cars), good for me or I'd be out of a job .

[DaFlake]

Hey Skat I know what you mean. Although I was a helicopter mechanic in the Army, I was never a big car guy. However, this little one turned me into one. I have since done numerous pulleys and mods to many peoples cars. Lots of fun now... There is no harm in asking,

[skat]

Quote: Originally Posted by Randall Raines (original)

I wasn't implying anything by my comment (would be a little bit "techie" for you "skat" .), I only said it because you stated it earlier .

As are many people (just not good with cars), good for me or I'd be out of a job .

Hey RR ~ no worries I kno you wasn't I was making a jib at myself ~ wasn't in the least bit offended, you've been a great help for sure

[Randall Raines]

Quote: Originally Posted by skat (original)

Hey RR ~ no worries I kno you wasn't I was making a jib at myself ~ wasn't in the least bit offended, you've been a great help for sure

Thanks! I hope so , as "DaFlake" says "There's no harm in asking"

And there was me thinking "skat" was short for "skater brain" !!!!!!

Enjoy your MINI & MINI2, there will always be someone on here who can help, although a search & a lot of reading can clear most things up , as I found out (especially the lot of reading part ).