Changing Run Flat Tyres

[Dale mill]

Think when I change the tyres it will be for normal tyres and I'll just carry some of that foam in the boot in case

[SMH13]

Think when I change the tyres it will be for normal tyres and I'll just carry some of that foam in the boot in case

Recently changed mine to Yokohama Geolanders and got given a free can of that " tyre in a can" ! - no regrets

[manwithnodog]

Hi all, I feel the need to air my views on Run Flat Tyres as I have just spent 3 days with my Rav 4 T180 off the road because of a puncture to the run flat tyre and Toyota and no other tyre specialist could help me get the tyre off as they DO NOT have the special equipment required and to my disgust no Toyota dealer gave me any other options apart from change all wheels and tyres. Toyota blamed Bridgestone as they supplied the special equipment for the job but they were very temperamental and broke down regularly at a cost dealers could not justify so I found that only Border Toyota in Carlisle still have it(handy if you get a puncture in Carlisle or the surrounding 70 miles as per run flat tyres allow at 50mph(not nice on motorway). After many phone calls I took my dog a walk and walked in to a private garage and asked the question and from under a discovery while welding away I heard the shout, (is the tyre knackered) yes was my reply as screw was sticking out of sidewall. Bring it in and I will get to the culprit was the instruction and after half an hour of grunting grinding and cutting the culprit was out and going straight in the bin along with another 3 still on car as they are useless as NO Dealers can remove when you do get a puncture! We are caravanners and when away if we get a puncture we can go to any tyre dealer, wherever we are. I tried Toyota Customer Relations and they were as much use as the run flat tyres and very quickly passed the buck to Bridgestone. My boggle with Toyota was that they know of the problem but could not assist with advising me where to take the wheel(as car was off the road due to only having 3 wheels) An absolute farce is the only thing I can say to Toyota and there aftersales and will be taking this matter further. So good luck to anyone else that should fall the same fate and remember stay close to Carlisle as you might get a puncture.

p.s 3 tyres with plenty life left in them will have to be cut off due to this problem but what else could I do?????(apart from make the trip to Carlisle every time I get a puncture which is a 250 mile return trip).

Thanks Toyota for all your help. NOT

[gjnorthall]

The cartel between Toyota and Bridgestone soon turned sour and runflats were dropped like a stone. If you've still got runflats then you need to consider what you'd do in the event of a problem. Very few Toyota dealers will be able to help and independents who can remove a runflat will be few and far between. Consequently a large number of owners have converted to normal tyres at the first opportunity - you'll find plenty of tyre outlets willing to cut off the runflat and support rings and fit a conventional tyre.

[manwithnodog]

Hi , I found an independent garage that was quite happy to rid me of the dreaded run flats and all for £500

Not bad for a puncture, never again will I be caught out like that, now just need to get the pressure sensor sorted as no doubt that will do my wife's head in lol

Just cant believe Toyota Customer Relations and Dealers could treat someone like that in there 72 hrs of need!!!

Shame on Toyota!

[Madasafish]

I understand that - along with many other dealers (eg Honda) , it is Toyota policy to only sell Toyota cars with standard fittings and Toyota accessories only. So no Toyota dealer will - as I understand it - sell a T180 fitted with anything but runflats.

(At least round here they will not).

I like to do my research thoroughly on cars before I buy. I read enough about T180s to runamile..

[P.J.W.]

Hi as a T180 owner for only a few months,I too wish to put normal tyres in place of the run-flats fitted and will do so when needed, by having the support rings removed and new tyres fitted to my 18" ally wheels if this is o/k to do so? why I say this will my motor insurance still be valid if I ever have to make a claim?as I have read through all the discussions written above and this point has not been mentioned? I would be very grateful if any one could answer this and that it would be legal to do so? Yours P.J.W.

[Guest]

There is only one place to get a definitive answer on that, and that is your insurance company.