My son recently mentioned that he wanted his next car to be a particular model of Toyota RAV4, without the very visible rear spare tire carrier.  This is the 2010 RAV4 Sport model.  He likes that cleaner look better than the other models.  There is no tire carrier because this model uses run-flat tires.  After speaking with several reliable tire suppliers, I learned the following things not explained fully by Auto Manufacturers or Tire Manufacturers about run-flats.  After learning more about these tires, I told my son that he might want to rethink his choices a bit.

THE PROS – (1) Four run-flat tires remove the need for a spare and save the car manufacturers considerable space, weight, and cost in their design.  (2) Tires that can be driven over 50 miles after a puncture without any vehicle damage eliminate a driver’s inconvenience of stopping on a highway to change the tire.

THE CONS – (1) Run-flat tires can cost over 60% more than regular tires.  Only one run-flat tire is produced for the 2010 RAV4 Sport and four tires cost about $912 installed compared to $576 for four regular tires on the other RAV4 models.  (2) Run-flat tires typically last only 1/2 as long (20k miles) as regular tires (40k miles).  (3) Run-flat tires generally have no Road Hazard Warranty available, while regular tires do.  (4) Run-flat tires, in most instances, can’t be repaired if punctured but must be replaced.  (5) Replacing one tire on an all-wheel-drive vehicle usually requires replacing all four tires to keep from damaging drive components, due to differing tire diameters on the remaining wheels.

When I relayed this to my son , he chose the less expensive (in more ways than one) base model 2010 RAV4.

MORAL OF THIS STORY –

Before you buy or lease your next new or used vehicle, check to see if it has any kind of spare tire.  To my knowledge, the only manufacturers that now or in the past have run-flats on some of their models are Acura, BMW, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, and Toyota.  Happy motoring.