Run Flat

6,900 kilometers on the new car. Give or take.

The Tire Pressure Management System warning light comes on. Tire pressure on the rear passenger side is low. About 20 psi. The recommended tire pressure is 39 psi.

Tire gets inflated.

I monitor the tire over the next 12 hours. It drops 15 psi.

There is a leak.

My car is equipped with run-flat tires. There is some confusion as to whether run-flat tires can be repaired. The manufacturer of my car would say no and charge somewhere in the neighbourhood of four hundred dollars to replace the tire. Unless, of course, I had purchased the outrageously expensive wheel and tire warranty at time of sale.

The manufacturer of the tire would say this:

RunOnFlat tires can be repaired after a puncture in the tread, but not in the sidewall.

Although not without a range of opinion, the consensus view on the various car forums also indicate a repair is possible. As long as the puncture is not in or near the sidewall.

I took the car in to repair the tire. A 1-inch wooden screw had penetrated the tread. The shop repaired the tire.

Kal Tire in Kingston, Ontario. Their company tagline: True Service. They repair flat tires on personal vehicles at no charge.

I know where I will buy my next set of tires.