Tires Q&A: Run-flat tires for Corvette?

In our ongoing series of Q&A blog columns, we will highlight common and interesting questions posted to our Car forums, with answers from our automotive experts.

Question: My first Corvette has Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. I'm considering using the same tires but in a run flat, but I hear bad things about them. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Answer: In short, the virtue of a run-flat tire is extended mobility with no need to worry about being stranded with a flat tire. If you have my luck, the tire will go flat on a rainy, cold night over a dangerous section of road--and you don't get to choose when a tire goes flat. Run-flat tires can handle a puncture or road-inflicted damage and allow the driver to make it to a service station or final destination. That's the payoff of having run-flat tires.

Our experience is that some applications work better than others. The Corvette C5 is a perfect candidate for run-flat tires as there's not much room for a spare tire, let alone room for tossing in a full-size flat tire inside the car. Run-flat tires are stiff by design to support the weight of the vehicle with no air pressure. For the Corvette, which uses stiff, low-profile ultra high performance tires, a run-flat is not much of a trade-off in terms of ride comfort and handling, even when it goes flat. Also, the Corvette was designed to accommodate run-flat tires, so it should be your first consideration when making a new tire purchase.

See our run-flat report to learn more about on the pros and cons of run-flat tires. For Ratings, recommendations and buying advice on car, truck and winter tires, see our tires section.

— Gene Petersen