Prime Cuts: The Difference Between Regular and Run-Flat Tires Revealed—By Slicing Them Open

Modern run-flat tires rely on strong, stiff sidewalls to carry the vehicle's weight when air pressure dissipates. Extracting 50 miles of use from a flat tire, however, requires more than strength. Driving on a deflated tire—run-flat or not—initiates a destructive cycle: As the sidewall collapses, increased friction generates more heat, which softens the rubber and causes the sidewall to sag even further. A run-flat tire must support the weight of the vehicle and endure this damaging heat buildup. To see what separates a run-flat from a conventional tire—and what justifies a $40 premium, in this case, or about 20 percent—we sliced into a Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position [top] and its run-flat variant. Here's what the saw revealed. READ MORE ›› from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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