Some Experts Warn Of Down Sides To Flat-Resistant Tires

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Did you know there are now tires that allow you to drive, even if you get a flat?

They're now standard on dozens of cars, but some experts say they aren't right for most drivers.

As CBS2's Elise Finch reported Monday, some drivers have nothing but praise for the flat-resistant tires on their cars.

"I like run-flats because if you get a flat tire you can drive up to 50 miles before you have to repair the tire," said one BMW driver who was getting dent and two rim cracks repaired.

Al Eisenberg, owner of Al's Hubcaps & Wheel Repair, said most run-flat tires work using stiffer rubber to allow you to drive up to 100 miles at reduced speeds if your tire starts to deflate due to a puncture.

But the construction of the tires can cause their own problems.

"The sidewall is exceptionally stiff in order to support the weight of the car. In being stiff it's like stiffening up the shock absorber," Eisenberg said.

If the puncture is too close to the sidewall of a run-flat tire it can't be repaired, only replaced, Finch reported. It's often a close call, so some mechanics won't even try.

"Forget it, your wheels are done. You have to change your tires," said Luis Villatoro, of Mineola. "It costs a lot of money."

On average, they cost one-third more than regular tires, Finch reported.

Some manufacturers are making them standard on new cars because it allows them to eliminate a spare tire, which makes the vehicle lighter and helps them achieve EPA gas mileage requirements.

But AAA spokesman Robert Sinclair said the deficiencies far outweigh the benefits.

"They're expensive, they ride hard, they're difficult to replace, impossible to repair," Sinclair said. "They tend to wear quickly and unevenly and because of that generally instead of just replacing one tire you have to replace a set."

The lesson here is: run-flat tires aren't a good fit for all drivers and it's something you should ask about if you're in the market for a new car, Finch reported.

Experts say if you're unable to replace a punctured tire with a spare and unwilling to wait on the side of the road for a tow truck, then run-flat tires might be for you.