ochompsky

It's time to replace the OEM Continental run flats that came with my car.

I've selected MICHELIN PILOT SPORT A/S 3+ tires. My question is can any run of the mile tire shop do it? Is there any worry about the electronics? Like tire pressure sensor, stability controls, e.g.?

This is a 2015 C300 4MATIC Sport.

Also, any recommendation on tire repair kits? The more wife friendly, the better

fantasy521

If you can find a reputable tire shop.

Its no big deal.

TPMS systems are not just in Mercedes these days.

Even my Hyundai Genesis and Toyota Sienna has it.

Mike5215

No worries. The sensors are unaffected by the tire change. For a Seal & Fill kit Amazon sells a decent one by Slime for $30. I'd recommend a dry run with your wife to demonstrate the process. There's a small compressor and a canister of sealant. To inject the slime, you have to connect the hose from the compressor to the slime canister, then connect the canisters output to the tire valve stem. To add just air, you bypass the slime canister. It sounds more complicated than it is, but better to not have her need to use it for the first time under less than ideal conditions.

Slime claims the sealant is safe for the TPMS sensors. Some shops will refuse to mount non run flats on a car that came with them, but I've never run into a problem.

Flarearrow

Other option if you don't want to go the "fix a flat" sealant in a can route is to get a small air compressor that plugs into the 12V outlet.

Cause most "flats" are a nail and screw causing a slow leak. The leak are usually slow enough that if you add air to the tire, you should be able to reach where ever you need to get to and get a real fix

Mike5215

^You can also get a plug kit for around $10 that lets you plug a small hole. I have both.

MASSC450

There's a bunch of tire shops around my parts that won't touch expensive wheels unless the tires are bought from them.

U.S. Federal law mandated TPMS in all new passenger cars built after Sep 2007.

Mike5215

I've used TireRack and had the tires shipped directly to one of their approved installers. If the shop has special conditions or extra charges for certain types of wheels they'll be shown before you complete the purchase.

ochompsky

Thanks for all of the responses, I used tirerack to have it shipped to a recommended installer.

Checked the installers site, they explicitly mention doing services on luxury cars and seem to have good reviews around the net.

Mike - does this look like a good kit? Seems foolproof as well.

Sorry for the amateur questions, i've always dealt with spares before this.

Mike5215

That's the one I have. Haven't needed it for the Benz but I've done a couple of roadside rescues with it. I've been running Michelin Pilot Supersports since 2006, never had one go flat. You'll be very happy with the ride on the PS3. Don't let the shop overinflate either. 30psi feels about perfect.

ochompsky

Thanks...now that im looking at the tires...they are 'low profile'...I hope I don't end up scraping the curbs in them!

Mike5215

Should be the same exact profile as the OEM tires. Profile is a function of size. On a tire size the first number represents the width of the tread block. The second is the sidewall height as a percentage of the tread block. So a 245/45 tire the tread is 245mm wide, and the sidewall is 45% of 245mm. As long as you're just swapping one type tire for another, no change.

Mr. J

I use this one:


It's basically the delux version. The compressor is fast and quiet. The best features are the added extension for the air hose and the adapter that allows you to connect direct the the battery terminals if needed.

I think you will like the MPAS3+. I've been happy with mine. I've given them a little bit of spirited driving and they grip exceptionally well for an AS tire. They are not as good as the MPSS for true performance but they are equal to the stock OEM summer runflats. They perform great in rain and light snow and ice.

sean1.8t

So many tire shops are like this. They always have an excuse for everything. Crazy business model that seems to turn away what could be a huge amount of sales.

In these situations I usually kindly ask to speak to the manager. At which point I say I have a bad Yelp review with their name on it and I'm not afraid to use it

And in this specific situation, I would inform them that I have roadside assistance and even if I had a flat on the run flats, I would call a flatbed just the same.


OP, how many miles did you get out of your Continentals? They were the all season, correct?

ochompsky

I'm at 37,000 miles but I waited way too late, the front tires are in pretty bad shape.

The wear is incredibly uneven between front and back....the back tires look like they could easily go another 20,000 miles.

sean1.8t

Oh wow, I was expecting the complete opposite. All I hear are horror stories about run-flats being lucky to make it 10,000 miles before needing replacement. My brother has a GLA45 with 20s and (I don't know what brand tire they were) he told me that he only got around 8,000 miles out of his first set.

I only put about 1,000 miles on my Conti's before it was time to put the snow tires on so they're sitting in my storage room until it's time to turn the car back in to the dealer. Not only would I hate to have them wear out that quickly, but they ride/perform like ****.

chynatown

Hello,

If you run 30psi in your tires, won't the tpms light be on all the time? Can this system be reprogrammed to a desired level?

Thanks,

Mikey53

30 PSI would feel like driving in slow motion to me. I run 36-37 PSI.


Another one of those personal preference things.

Mike5215

It didn't, but there is an option to reset the TPMS to the current values.

Mike5215

Yeah, the installer had them at 40. I backed them down to 30 and liked the feel so I left them there for now.