Group outlines dangers or replacing run-flat tyres with standard wheels

Motorists who replace run-flat tyres with standard wheels could find they endanger more than their car insurance premiums.

Tyre safety group TyreSafe is warning drivers their safety could be at risk by failing to replace their wheels with those manufactured with run-flat technology.

According to the organisation, many motorists are looking to economise during the tough financial climate and some see fitting standard tyres to their vehicle as a way of saving money.

By choosing standard wheels over run-flats, car and van insurance policyholders may find the handling characteristics of their vehicle changes significantly and compromises their safety.

"As a general rule, we would always recommend that drivers only replace run-flat tyres with a similar product," commented Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe.

"Run-flats have much stiffer sidewalls than those in traditional tyres and this is taken into account by vehicle manufacturers when they design their suspension and steering systems."

As well as finding the performance of their vehicle changes, drivers who fit regular wheels after driving on run-flats will also find they have to alter their driving behaviour when switching wheels.

TyreSafe states that motorists can drive for a limited period on run-flats when there is no pressure inside the wheel. This is not the case with regular tyres, which have to be changed straight away, so run-flat users may find themselves stranded when they make the switch.

In January, the group also called upon drivers to check their wheels are properly aligned as driving over potholes can alter a vehicle's steering and suspension geometries.

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The views expressed within the article are entirely those of Adfero Ltd and are not those of the BGL Group