What is the difference between run flat and reinforced tyres

The time now is AM. User Name. Mark Forums Read. Thread Tools. What's the difference between Run Flat and Reinforced Well it looks as though my rear tyres are getting close to the limit so I've been looking on line for some replacements. Reinforced tyres have additional beading, which makes them stronger and able to withstand greater loads without coming under too much stress. They will generally have larger, chunkier sidewalls, which are rigid to allow them to grip the road and hold additional weight.

Reinforced tyres are designed to be able to cope with additional weight that you may carry in your vehicle. Run flat tyres have a strengthened sidewall which allows you to keep using them for a certain amount of time in the event of a puncture.

Your tyres have a code on the sidewall that refers to the load index, which is a universal code that tells you exactly how much weight you should carry. If you exceed this weight, it could damage your tyres and potentially lead to a blowout. So long as they're available in the correct size for your vehicle, you should be able to use them.

That being said, they are more commonly seen on vans, 4x4s, large family cars, or any other type of vehicle that is likely to be used to carry heavy loads. If you do need to use a smaller car to carry a heavier load, such as in the event of a house move, it may be best to make multiple trips, rather than spend money on four reinforced tyres for the sake of a one-off.

Despite the benefits, there are some disadvantages, such as:. The negatives to reinforced tyres are by far outweighed by the positives, so they are recommended if you regularly carry heavy loads. By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. Download Catalog.

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Tyre fitting. Surname or VAT no. Check order status. While standard tyres are designed for most daily purposes, reinforced tyres are constructed for more specific needs: they need to cope with greater load pressure. See when to use reinforced tyres and what are their advantages and disadvantages. Every tyre size has a specified tyre load index. Reinforced tyres are adapted to loads and pressures bigger than those provided for the standard version of a given size.

Typical tyre markings for reinforced tyres are as follows:.