Run Flat Tyre T180

[Darkside]

Am I right in thinking that this last post indicates that standard tyres can be fitted to the T180s rims-presumably removing existing rubber? It's a question I've seen asked on varios topics, but I do not recall seeing any answer.

Completely off topic - does any T180/XT5 owner know whether there is a built in clock in the Tel/sat nav unit? The reason I mention is I was trying to find out the time of a tel call I received. The call log on the tel. screen had the times of the calls but 'out' by about an hour so presumably there is a clock (of sorts) in there somewhere. Did a bit of digging around witout success (in calendar etc.)

[bothwell_buyer]

I DON'T HONESTLY KNOW WHY YOU T180 OWNERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT NOT HAVING A SPARE, LOOK WHAT YOU'D HAVE TO DO IF YOU HAD A LANDROVER..

Classic photo there L_H Just had your camera ready at T3 huh? Looks like Bothy gave up on the idea of driving the LR back to bonnie Scotland and was booking it in for Easy Jet to take it

Kingo

Aye - funny one! Easyjet refused to carry it as it didn't have its own proof of identity. So it came half the journey courtesy of a breakdown truck - and yesterday with the help of my father and his Punto following the landrover we started out on a northern expedition. The first 10 miles up the M73 we did at 25mph as I'd forgotten the landrover was in low gear (ie 8 forward gears and 2 reverse and a handful more if I ever find the hidden overdrive lever). The remaining 40 was done at 40mph after I poured in some real diesel and found the high gears.

The landrover is now in the hands of a farmer to help decide if its worth putting a 200tdi engine into the lump of rusty steel. Or it could be employed as a standing scarecrow with realistic billowing smoke to kill off any flies as well. So if yer oats taste a bit oily, ye'll ken waur they come frae!!!

I meant to take a photo of the new wheels with the massive chunky tyres - so big I had to cut the front bumper to allow full lock. It doesn't have a spare as I don't think the old engine was strong enough to carry any more weight. Once the new engine is in, if the project goes ahead, then there's room for a spare wheel in behind the front seats.

[shcm]

Completely off topic - does any T180/XT5 owner know whether there is a built in clock in the Tel/sat nav unit?

Well sort of, but I don't ever remember seeing a straight forward clock display. Very accurate time (GMT/UTC) comes for free via GPS and shouldn't need to be set manually. A clock (GPS time) can be displayed if you put the unit into diagnostic mode.

Maybe your time is out by 1 hour because the daylight saving setting is incorrect?

Change it by Menu(button) -> Setup (touchscreen button) -> Timezone (touchscreen) -> Daylight saving on/off.

It shouldn't be beyond the wit of man to make that automatic as well, but it isn't.

Hope that helps

Cheers

[Darkside]

Completely off topic - does any T180/XT5 owner know whether there is a built in clock in the Tel/sat nav unit?

Well sort of, but I don't ever remember seeing a straight forward clock display. Very accurate time (GMT/UTC) comes for free via GPS and shouldn't need to be set manually. A clock (GPS time) can be displayed if you put the unit into diagnostic mode.

Maybe your time is out by 1 hour because the daylight saving setting is incorrect?

Change it by Menu(button) -> Setup (touchscreen button) -> Timezone (touchscreen) -> Daylight saving on/off.

It shouldn't be beyond the wit of man to make that automatic as well, but it isn't.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Thanks once again shcm.

Nice to know you have the answer when it comes to the techhie questions - the rear view camera is still going strong!! I may not be as regular or vociferous with posts but, like the favourite pub, nice to drop in now and again!

I'll give your suggestion a go next time I'm out

[DaronB]

Hello folks , Im new here just wanted to offer some help on the Rav4 T180 tyres issue , we needed two new tyres on the front of my wifes 2007 T180 Rav at 22000 miles , I got a fright when the dealer told me they cost £350 each due to the in-built support band , having checked round no other tyre places said they could work with them so I contacted a friend who has a tyre depot and works with alot of run flat systems , he told me to bring it to him to have a look at the system on it . I took the car up yesterday and he had a look inside the tyre and said that its a support band fitted that is similar to that used on military vehicles and a very bad design which is rarely used in road cars due to the difficulty in working with them , he said that to drive more than 15 miles on a flat will more than often destroy the tyre and that its very impractical if you can only have punctures repaired at the main dealer .

The guy said he could cut off the old worn front tyres and remove the support band inside permanently and fit new Dunlop tyres at a cost of £100 per tyre inc. vat and fitting so I told him to do that , I took some photos of the tyre being cut off and the support ring being cut off carefully with a small wheel grinder they are attached, it took about 20 mins per wheel to remove the old tyre plus support ring and fit a new tyre. I then went to Halfords and bought a 12v electric pump(£14.95) and a large tin of Tyreweld(£9.60) which is what is supplied on an XTR Rav with no spare wheel so now when we need to replace tyres or have a puncture fixed I can go to any normal tyre depot and have them fitted for £100 per tyre with no special equipment needed , the Bridgestone tyres the cars are fitted with from new cost £140 each but I just decided to go with the Dunlops which looked just as good and have a higher weight rating for £40 less.

When the rear tyres need replacing I will be doing the same with those , you could also go to a dismantlers and buy a space saver wheel or spare Rav wheel and tyre to keep in the boot if you don't like the Tyreweld and pump option although as I said my wifes previous Rav XTR came with the Tyreweld and pump kit so even Toyota must approve of it . I hope this helps someone else from being ripped off for £350 for a tyre .

[Dippy]

Nice info. Key question - what did the installer do about the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System? Is it properly disabled, did he get it to work, or is it just that you now have a warning light permanently showing on the dash?

[DaronB]

Nice info. Key question - what did the installer do about the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System? Is it properly disabled, did he get it to work, or is it just that you now have a warning light permanently showing on the dash?

Tyre pressure system was un-affected , once the new tyres are fitted and inflated to the correct pressure the sensors work as normal , they are not connected to the support band so there are no warning lights on everything is working normally , the tyre guy did say that the tyre pressure warning system can be disabled by the Toyota garage if required but I have not checked with them to verify this . As I said in the previous post the big advantage now is that should I get a puncture or need new tyres I can go to any tyre supplier as no specialist equipment is needed to put a new tyre on it .

[Darkside]

Really interesting.

My 2007 has 25k on - tyres ok for now but may well see if anybody up to doing a similar job when it needs them

[eanjohn]

Nice info. Key question - what did the installer do about the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System? Is it properly disabled, did he get it to work, or is it just that you now have a warning light permanently showing on the dash?

Tyre pressure system was un-affected , once the new tyres are fitted and inflated to the correct pressure the sensors work as normal , they are not connected to the support band so there are no warning lights on everything is working normally , the tyre guy did say that the tyre pressure warning system can be disabled by the Toyota garage if required but I have not checked with them to verify this . As I said in the previous post the big advantage now is that should I get a puncture or need new tyres I can go to any tyre supplier as no specialist equipment is needed to put a new tyre on it .

Hi every one

just to let you know that you can not use tyre weld liquids with the tpms valves as it will cause them to fail

and they will cost £125 + vat plus fitting each.

I would get some tyre plugs off eBay or a motor cycle repair kit to carry in the boot.

I would also ask your tyre fitter to keep well away from the valves when using his bead breaker as according to my local service manager it`s the No1 reason for valve failers,

Also when you have normal tyres fitted ask the fitter to turn the vaves flat to the wheel to prevent breakage if you get a further flat.

thanks every one some usefull info on site.....ian

[DaronB]

I was told that too Ian , the guy who removed the support bands did say that tyre weld will block the pressure sensors , however he also said that the pressure monitor system can be turned off by the dealer , thats what I would recommend , we had a Rav XTR with no spare wheel , it came with Tyreweld and a pump supplied by Toyota and did'nt have tyre pressure monitoring . I believe things should be kept simple , the more complicated they make them the more trouble they give , tyre monitoring may be a good idea but in reality it gives lots of problems so better switching it off and removing the support bands then you can fix punctures and change tyres at any tyre depot , not having to book the car in with the dealer for half a day . Tyres will cost £100 each (Dunlops) instead of £350 each!! The other option is go to a salvage yard and buy a space saver wheel or spare alloy and tyre and keep it in the boot .

I think its obvious by the fact that Toyota are giving wheels to some customers that they realise the system is badly flawed.

[Darkside]

A quick question :--

From what I remember seeing pictures of the tyre pressure monitoring sensors, they were at the valve maybe even integrated?.

If they stop working or are switched off by a Toyota dealer and Lexus RX size tyres fitted, does any one know whether T180 rims can take a standard tyre valve ?

Personally speaking, I am not that bothered about having a monitoring system on my car for the tyre pressures but just want to ensure there is nothing super special about the rims and/or valves.

I always carry a 12 V tyre compressor anyway, and a tin of tyre weld is looking more preferable than the run flats.

[DaronB]

Definately a standard tyre valve could be fitted to the alloys which are also normal alloys , just fitted with that stupid support band , the fact that this system is not used any more tells you everything about its success or lack of !

[bomber06]

DaronB - Have you noticed any difference in the ride since you fitted conventional tyres. I am just wondering if the suspension etc. is set up specially for the Run Flat System?

[DaronB]

No difference in ride or handling at all , the car feels just the same as it did before , the only big difference is that my wallet feels much better !! I saved £500 on what it would have cost me to go to the dealer to have the front tyres changed (they quoted me £350 each) I got both front tyres fitted inc VAT for £200 !

As I said before we had a 07 Rav XTR before this , we ordered it with the 'no spare on boot door' option and it came with Toyota Tyreweld and a 12v pump and no tyre pressure system.

Also you say since I fitted 'conventional tyres' , the tyres fitted from new are conventional tyres , nothing special about them , the reason only Toyota can change them is the special equipment that is needed to remove the support ring to get the tyre off, once the support ring is permanently removed like I did tyres can be fitted or punctures repaired at any normal tyre depot . Tyres are a normal standard tyre apparently the same tyre fitted to Lexus cars (not sure which models).

I was given two choices Bridgestone (as fitted from new) £140 each fitted or Dunlop £100 each fitted. There are probably many other makes available but those were the only two my tyre dealer had in stock.

Most run flat tyres now have hardened sidewalls so you can drive on them when flat , the system used on the T180 apparently is a military type design and not practical for normal road cars according to my tyre fitter. He says he does'nt know of any other manufacturer using it on road cars.

[bomber06]

I am still in a bit of a quandry. Having spoken to my local dealers, the support ring only needs to be replaced if you have driven with a flat as the support ring becomes damaged and requires replacing, an extra £150. If the tyres are only to be replaced due to wear then you only pay for the price of the tyre. I have been quoted around £180 each fitted.

Another big plus is the safety aspect, with he peace of mind that the misses is able to get home and wont be stuck at the side of the road putting tyre weld in.

During my time driving i have had only one puncture so the chances of having to pay the full wack (£350) is pretty slim.

The thing that lets this system down isnt necessarily the price but the availability of trained tyre centres able to change the tyres. I am fortunate that locally I have 2 dealerships and 2 independants who are able to do the job. The worry comes when we are travelling further a field and then I try to make sure I am aware of tyre centres who could change the tyre in the event of a puncture.

Another point to consider is what a potential buyer of the car would think if the standard equipment has been changed/replaced.

[DaronB]

The dealer told us the reason for quoting £350 is that the support ring often gets damaged when they are changing a tyre!! Plus if your wife does get a puncture and the dealer is fully booked out in the workshop you'll be waiting a day or so to get it fixed , with the system removed you can just go to any tyre depot and have it fixed or replaced on the spot , you also said about going further afield , it seems ludicrous to me that you have to plan a journey to suit your car , going on-line to see where you can get a puncture fixed if you get one , if your worried about your wife being stranded get basic AA or RAC membership and they will come and tow the car to the nearest tyre depot .

We have just sold our T180 and ordered a new Prius , the T180 goes today , I explained exactly what i'd done to the new owner and he was in complete agreement , he said as soon as the back tyres need replacing he'll be doing the same with them . Cheers

[sywy]

Bomber - What about putting on stiff wall tyres, instead of normal? Not sure how much they cost though.

[vivianM]

The dealer told us the reason for quoting £350 is that the support ring often gets damaged when they are changing a tyre!! Plus if your wife does get a puncture and the dealer is fully booked out in the workshop you'll be waiting a day or so to get it fixed , with the system removed you can just go to any tyre depot and have it fixed or replaced on the spot , you also said about going further afield , it seems ludicrous to me that you have to plan a journey to suit your car , going on-line to see where you can get a puncture fixed if you get one , if your worried about your wife being stranded get basic AA or RAC membership and they will come and tow the car to the nearest tyre depot .

We have just sold our T180 and ordered a new Prius , the T180 goes today , I explained exactly what i'd done to the new owner and he was in complete agreement , he said as soon as the back tyres need replacing he'll be doing the same with them . Cheers

I am amazed that your dealer quoted £350 per new tyre for your T180 - I did a recent check before buying a new T180 wheel and tyre on eBay - the large Toyota dealer in the Manchester area quoted me about £200 fitted - if a tyre dealer is allowing to charge a customer around £150 extra for the possibility of damaging the ring he should not be in business as he cannot be compenent!

Guy

[DaronB]

It was not the tyre dealer who quoted extra in case of damaging the support ring , it was the Toyota main dealer

BTW you can't get stiff walled tyres for the car , they don't make them in that particular size , I did ask that .

[eanjohn]

I am amazed that your dealer quoted £350 per new tyre for your T180 - I did a recent check before buying a new T180 wheel and tyre on eBay - the large Toyota dealer in the Manchester area quoted me about £200 fitted - if a tyre dealer is allowing to charge a customer around £150 extra for the possibility of damaging the ring he should not be in business as he cannot be compenent!

Guy

Hi all

£350 is extortionate, I just had a rear tyre changed by toyota ( free fitting due to a defective valve )

and the tyre cost was £126.40 + vat,

I was told if it was not for the valve there would have been up to 1Hrs labour on top.

Service manager also informed me that the only way he knows to turn the tpms light off is to break the

supply feed on the back off the clocks ( dont know how reliable this info is, As he also said that if I cut the

tyre off the rim the metal support ring would just fall off "YER RIGHT" dont think so ) :P

[DaronB]

No mission I saw the support ring being cut off , it was on there as tight as a drum !

[sywy]

I paid £250 for my trye (just the tyre) about 2 years ago. If you search the forums, some have had to pay £4-500 to get a tyre replaced. Also, my car was in the garage for over a day!! i did shop around, as, at the time, I had a choice of 4 dealers to go to, and they were the cheapest!! Maybe prices have come down now?

Re: stiff walls. I'm sure when this was discussed previously, someone said that the BMW X3 had the same size tyres?

[duncerduncs]

Re: stiff walls. I'm sure when this was discussed previously, someone said that the BMW X3 had the same size tyres?

It does but it doesn't have run flats ;)

The X5 is the only SUV with stiff side wall run flats (as far as I know!)

As for the inner ring, it is big enough to pass over the alloy but it requires the wheel to come off at the same time. The support ring is glued/bonded to the inside of the tyre, so that's why you need a special part on the tyre machine to release the support ring whilst the tyre is coming off.

Or you cut it off

[eanjohn]

As for the inner ring, it is big enough to pass over the alloy but it requires the wheel to come off at the same time. The support ring is glued/bonded to the inside of the tyre, so that's why you need a special part on the tyre machine to release the support ring whilst the tyre is coming off.

Or you cut it off

Hi Bryan

just took another look at Darenb pictures, I dont think its bonded it looks like it just expands out against

the tyre bead perhaps daren can confirm this.

but either way it defo dont just fall off.. :D

[DaronB]

I was honestly baffled about how they get it off , its absolutely tight to the alloy and it has no splits in it . Just small holes drilled in various places round it . You are right that it expands out against the tyre edge . I can guarantee 100% it won't just fall off , even after being cut in half with the grinding wheel the guy still needed a tyre iron to prise it off the alloy !!