“The examples of cars that have been fitted with RunOnFlat shows just how versatile they are”

Goodyear tyres with RunOnFlat technology guarantee the highest possible level of safety should a driver have a puncture, and can be safely driven after a total loss of pressure. RunOnFlat tyres are characterised by specially designed tyre inserts in the sidewalls using innovative proprietary technology. The reinforced sidewalls consist of an innovative design that bears the weight of the car even when the tyre is totally deflated and keeps the tyre on the rim. There has already been a lot of research that proves RunOnFlat is not only a revolution, it’s reality. 80% of consumers claim they have had at least one puncture in the past; 25% of them say they are not capable of changing a tyre. Consumer demand is assured with research confirming that 84% of motorists would be more interested in fitting their cars with RunOnFlat type tyres than any other available options – such as Satellite Navigation Systems and Rear Parking Assists. Moreover 82% prefer the concept of RunOnFlat over having a spare 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.

“The reporter had misgivings when asked to drill holes in all four of the car's tyres, but he soon found himself impressed with the results”

Goodyear brand manager Lisa Faulkner believes that BMW’s decision underlines just how highly rated RunOnFlat technology is. She says: “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.” 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 (most famously purchased by David Beckham to transport his family through the crowds to and from matches at Old Trafford) 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 Faulkner is delighted that so many different types of vehicle are perfectly complemented by the tyre. She says: “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 renowned 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. He says: “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 our RunOnFlat technology.

“This is an extremely high-performance car that 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 20 years ago, and has constantly researched and improved the methods used. Today, the company is the largest supplier of tyres featuring the technology in Europe, with RunOnFlat owning 55% market share and selling more than 1.3 million tyres in 2004.

A motoring correspondent from the Birmingham Evening Mail was one example of journalists putting RunOnFlat to the test. 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. 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.” Corporate Communications Manager 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 says: “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 – while conducting Europe-wide research Goodyear discovered that 74% 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.