HOW TO IDENTIFY RUN FLAT TIRES 

Run-flat tires are tires that can be driven “flat” for a distance after they've been punctured at a reduced speed, allowing you some time to drive to a mechanic. The distance and speed that run-flat tires can handle after being punctured depends on the brand of tire and the weight that the car is currently holding. You can usually tell if your tires are run-flat by looking at your tires, or by examining other details about your car.

METHOD 1: CHECKING YOUR TIRES

Find the words “Run Flat”, "SSR", "HSR", "RF", "Run On Flat", "ZP", "DSST", "RFT" on your tires. Some tire brands that make run-flat tires simply label the tire as run flat, making it easier on the car owner. The words used to identify this type of tires, may vary between brands, as it si shown in the following cases:

• PIRELLI: Simply look for the words “Run Flat” on the side of your tire, usually near other manufacturer information and numbers.
• CONTINENTAL: Look for the words “SSR” on the side of your tire, usually near other manufacturer information and numbers.
• HANKOOK: Look for the words “HSR” on the side of your tire, usually near other manufacturer information and numbers.
• YOKOHAMA: Look for the words “RF” on the side of your tire, usually near other manufacturer information and numbers.
• GOODYEAR: Look for the words “Run On Flat” on the side of your tire, usually near other manufacturer information and numbers.
• MICHELIN: Look for the words “ZP” or "ZPS" on the side of your tire, usually near other manufacturer information and numbers.
• DUNLOP: Look for the words “DSST” on the side of your tire, usually near other manufacturer information and numbers.

If finding one of these codes codes RFT, SSR, or DSST on your tires, all of them referes to RUN FLAT TIRES. Bridgestone sometimes uses the code RFT (Run Flat Tire) on their tires to designate a run-flat tire. Continental uses the code SSR (Self Supporting Run flat), and Dunlop sometimes uses DSST (Dunlop Self Supporting Tire).

• Look for these codes on the sides of your tires near the other numbers and manufacturer information.

If finding one of these codes ROF, EMT, or ZP on your tires, they referes to specific brands. Several tire brands use the code ROF (Run On Flat) on their run-flat tires, including Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Dunlop. Goodyear also uses EMT (Extended Mobility Technology) to designate run-flat tires. A few brands use ZP or ZPS (Zero Pressure or Zero Pressure System) on their run-flat tires, including Michelin and Yokohama.

• Look for any of these codes on the sides of your tires near the manufacturer information.

METHOD 2: LOOKING AT A CAR WITH ORIGINAL TIRES

Check your car owner’s manual. The most direct way to find out if you have run-flat tires is to check your owner’s manual. If your car still has its original tires and they are run-flat, the owner’s manual will explain everything you need to know about your run-flat tires and the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System).

Look for run-flat tires on newer cars made by specific companies. Run-flat tires started coming onto the new car market in the early 2000s. The newer your car is, the higher the chances are that it came with run-flat tires.

• Specific car companies more commonly use run-flat tires on their new cars, especially BMW and Lexus. Toyota puts run flat-tires on some of their coupes and sedans. If you have one of these types of cars with original tires on it, it’s possible that you have run-flat tires.
• BMW cars are by far the most common car where you will find run-flat tires. If you have a newer BMW, chances are high that you have run-flat tires.