How to handle Run-Flat tires

Run-Flat tires are increasingly common in workshops, tire shops, and dealerships. They are often found on modern vehicles, premium cars, sports cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles, where the need to reduce weight and save space has, in many cases, led to the elimination of the spare tire.

For tire professionals, this means dealing with a more technical process compared to traditional tires. The reinforced sidewall, the greater structural rigidity, and the reduced flexibility of the bead require method, control, and appropriate equipment.

Properly handling Run-Flats doesn’t mean applying more force, but working with a precise and repeatable process, protecting the rim and reducing operator effort. With the correct procedure and a suitable professional tire changer, this job can become a high value-added service for the workshop.

Why Run-Flats require more attention

The main feature of a Run-Flat tire is its ability to continue supporting the vehicle even in the event of pressure loss, for a limited distance and under the conditions specified by the manufacturer. This is achieved through a more robust structure, with reinforced sidewalls and a design aimed at maintaining greater stability even in critical conditions.

This robustness is reflected in mounting and demounting operations. During the process, the tire tends to deform less than a traditional tire; the bead can offer greater resistance, and the sidewall requires more precise control.

For this reason, Run-Flats require:

• adequate lubrication;
• correct positioning of the wheel on the tire changer;
• control during bead breaking;
• attention to the bead and the rim;
• equipment designed to reduce physical effort;
• a stable and repeatable process.

The goal is not to force the tire, but to guide each phase of the process with the right balance of control, precision, and protection.

The steps for handling Run-Flats safely

Professional management of Run-Flats stems from a sequence of operations performed methodically. Before starting work, it is useful to check the general condition of the wheel, the presence of TPMS sensors, and the manufacturer’s guidelines.

The presence of a TPMS sensor requires care during mounting and demounting. Once the initial check is complete, the main steps are lubrication, bead breaking, demounting, and mounting.

Adequate tire lubrication

Lubrication is one of the simplest operations, but also one of the most important. On a Run-Flat tire, adequate lubrication helps reduce friction between the bead and the rim, facilitating both demounting and mounting.

The lubricant must be applied evenly in the work areas, paying special attention to the bead. This allows the tire to move more smoothly during the process and helps the operator maintain greater control.

Therefore, it is not just an accessory detail, but a technical step that directly affects the quality of the work.

Run-Flat bead breaking: control and precision

Bead breaking is a delicate phase when handling a Run-Flat. The bead must be separated from the rim in a controlled manner, avoiding sudden movements or improperly managed pressure.

In professional Devel tire changers, bead breaking is handled by disks designed to operate with control while protecting the rim. This approach is particularly important when working on alloy wheels, painted rims, or delicate finishes, where the quality of the work is directly noticed by the end customer.

In models equipped with the Anti-Shock System, such as BT HYDRAULIC, TOP HYDRAULIC 4.0, and TOP AUTOMATIC 5.0, contact with the rim happens in a controlled manner, using technology designed to help protect the surface during the process.

Run-Flat demounting: process and equipment

During demounting, the rigidity of the Run-Flat can make the operation more challenging compared to a traditional tire. This is why it is important to work with a tire changer capable of reducing the reliance on the operator’s physical strength and making the process more controlled.

In this context, Leverless technology offers a concrete advantage. Working without a manual lever means eliminating one of the main causes of critical contact with the rim. The process becomes smoother, more repeatable, and less dependent on the operator’s strength.

All Devel tire changers are Leverless. Therefore, the difference between models is not the presence of leverless technology, but the level of automation and system intelligence.

Run-Flat mounting with Tecnoservice support

Mounting is the phase where bead support becomes particularly important. 

For Devel, this support is provided by the Tecnoservice system. Tecnoservice assists the operator during the mounting phase thanks to a three-point pressure technology, which can be used according to the difficulty of the tire being handled.

Its role is to help make mounting more controlled and less strenuous. The operator can use the pressure points according to the needs of the job, maintaining greater control over the bead and reducing physical effort.

Equipment for handling Run-Flat tires

To work well on Run-Flats, you need equipment designed to guarantee control, protection, and repeatability. It’s not just a matter of power: a professional tire changer must help the operator perform the various stages in an orderly, intuitive manner that is safe for the rim.

The most useful technical solutions are those that help reduce physical effort, protect the rim’s surface, make the process more controlled, and maintain consistent performance even with complex tires.

For a workshop, tire shop, or dealership, these elements directly affect daily work. Less fatigue, greater control, and better operational continuity also mean a more professional and noticeable service in the eyes of the customer.

Leverless for Run-Flat tires

Leverless technology allows working without a manual lever and without metal components touching the rim surface. This aspect is particularly relevant when dealing with complex tires like Run-Flats and UHPs, often mounted on alloy wheels or mid-to-high-end vehicles.

The advantage is not just about rim protection. The absence of a manual lever also helps reduce operator strain and makes the process more repeatable. Less reliance on physical strength means more control, especially on busy workdays.

For the end customer, seeing a workshop equipped with Leverless technology communicates attention, care, and professionalism. For the operator, it means working with tools designed to simplify the handling of stiff and complex tires.

Tecnoservice for mounting Run-Flats

Tecnoservice is a useful solution during the mounting phase of complex tires. Its function is to assist the operator in managing the bead, offering pressure points that can be used based on the tire’s difficulty.

With Run-Flats, where the reinforced sidewall can make mounting more challenging, this support allows for greater control and less effort. The benefit is practical: the operator can guide the tire more smoothly, avoiding the need to rely on manual strength.

Tecnoservice is therefore part of a broader work philosophy: making operations more intuitive, controlled, and sustainable for those who work daily on tires of varying complexity.

Automation in Run-Flat management

Automation is another important element in the professional management of Run-Flats. A higher level of automation can help make the process simpler, more repeatable, and more consistent, especially when the workshop handles high volumes or frequently deals with complex tires.

In the Devel range, the level of automation grows with the TOP HYDRAULIC 4.0 and reaches its peak with the TOP AUTOMATIC 5.0. The difference between the models is not in build quality or the types of tires they can handle, but rather the level of automation, system intelligence, and operator intervention required.

The TOP AUTOMATIC 5.0 represents the highest level of automation in the Devel car range. It automates the main phases of the process and minimizes operator intervention, helping to make the job simpler, more repeatable, and more consistent.

Mistakes to avoid with Run-Flat tires

When working on Run-Flat tires, certain mistakes can compromise the quality of the process or make the job more tiring than necessary.

The first is underestimating lubrication. An insufficient amount or incorrect distribution can increase friction and make handling the bead more difficult.

Another common mistake is relying too much on physical strength. Run-Flats require control, not just pushing. Forcing the tire can make the work less fluid and increase operator strain.

It is also important not to neglect the rim. Many Run-Flat tires are mounted on modern or premium vehicles, where the rim’s finish has significant aesthetic and commercial value. Protecting the rim also means protecting the workshop’s reputation.

Attention must also be paid to TPMS sensors; it is necessary to proceed carefully in the areas near the valve. 

It is best to avoid a generic approach. A Run-Flat requires procedures, appropriate equipment, and operational care.

Run-Flats: a high-value service

For many workshops, Run-Flats are primarily perceived as a more complex job. In reality, with a controlled process and a suitable tire changer, they can become a high value-added service.

The proliferation of modern, premium, sports, and electric vehicles makes it increasingly important to know how to handle complex tires professionally. The customer with Run-Flat tires expects precise, safe service that is attentive to vehicle protection, especially when alloy wheels or delicate finishes are involved.

The question, therefore, is not how to avoid Run-Flats, but how to handle them better. To choose the most suitable solution, it is useful to evaluate the type of tires handled, the workload volume, the desired level of automation, operator comfort, and the value of the investment over time.

With the proper equipment and a controlled process, Run-Flats are not just a complex job: they can become a qualified, recognizable, and high-value service for workshops, tire shops, and dealerships.