Specific to the ZR1, the 285/30-19 front and 335/25-20 rear tires use a different compound from that of the normal PS2s (which can also be found on the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V), designed to deliver ultimate track performance while retaining the ability to last for 20,000 miles of road use. We’re guessing burnouts may reduce their life expectancy substantially.

Unlike earlier versions of run-flat technology, which we weren’t big fans of thanks to increased unsprung weight and a harsher ride, these latest Pilot Sports’ reinforced sidewalls actually contribute to handling while inflated, helping to transfer braking and cornering loads in a more direct fashion.

Additionally, the tires make use of a two-part tread design with large, stable blocks on the outside for maximum grip (the ZR1 can pull 1.05 Gs on the skidpad) and a more grooved tread in the middle for better water dispersion and lower tire noise. The sections are joined by a special “lightning bolt” decoupling channel, which allows each section to movie slightly, independently of the other.

We drove the ZR1 on both the road and track — in dry conditions only — and never found the tires to be lacking. On the track, they deliver considerably more grip than expected, while on the road they ride surprisingly compliantly, at least for such a big tire. Michelin hasn’t finalized prices for the PS2 ZP yet, but expect replacements to cost “$300 to $400 a corner.” [Michelin]

It turns out that the tire separated from the truck and then made contact with this very thrashed Camaro Z28, which acted as the perfect ramp with which to launch the tire into the dealership. That's what's happening just as the video begins. As far as we know, this is the extent of the damage from one seriously wicked (possibly possessed) tire.

Thankfully, no one was hurt and the security camera was in place to catch the incident, the aftermath and the owner of the dealership using all seven words you can't say on TV (yes, we're sad we lost George Carlin, too). And thanks to TexasAreHot for sharing this incredible video. [Source: YouTube]

The system is notable because it doesn't need an external air compressor or any other hardware. Just by driving around (a mile should be enough to compensate for a month's worth of normal air-loss, according to the company), you'll keep your tires at their ideal pressures. Obviously, keeping your tires at the correct pressure is good for safety, economy and tire wear.

The Self Inflating Tire is currently being developed for production by Coda Development. With the ability to be incorporated either in the tire sidewall or rim, it should prove cheap and easy to produce. Tire inflation may not be the sexiest aspect of car maintenance around, but it's both incredibly important and oft neglected. SIT will be launched at the SAE World Congress in April. [Via SIT]

Nothing says romance like eating prime rib out of a tire with wrenches and pliers. An included chrome hubcap is just the right amount of shine for the tire—and great for keeping your finely cooked dinner warm as your transport it from kitchen to dining room. Ever drink wine out of a piston-shaped mug? Me neither, but with classy equipment like that, you're bound to get some Saint V's Day desert after the actual dinner is all said and done. [Product Page via Nerdapproved]

While run-flat tire technology, roadside assistance programs and tire-changing helper robots have certainly come a long way, a flat tire is an inevitable part of the driving experience. Despite great measures taken to make tires tough enough to withstand the rigors of modern motoring, nefarious forces are perpetually plotting to relieve them of their air. Errant mattresses, tumbling pallets, mangled step ladders, and other, more insidious road hazards, such as boxes full of roofing nails dropped from a truck, all conspire to flatten the pneumatic miracle that is the modern automobile tire.

Be Prepared

Until the day we drive atomic-powered cars that float on a cushion of powerful yet harmless radioactivity, we're stuck with tires. A good flat tire is the one you discover as you stroll, keys in hand, to your stationary vehicle. The bad flat tire is that sudden blowout in mid cruise. Either way, the task at hand is clear; get the wheel with the flat tire off the vehicle and put the spare wheel and air-filled tire where that one used to be.

Advisory bulletin number one: Be prepared. The worst time to learn how to change a tire is in the summer heat, while several kinds of biting insects feast at the stranded-motorist buffet. The best time to prepare for the inevitable Changing of the Tire is long before it happens. A lazy afternoon in the driveway is a good time to learn how to use the emergency jack and prepare for your flat-tire future. This small investment in time will pay off when roadside assistance cannot be reached due to a recalcitrant cell phone, or when the helper robot is down for repairs.

Regular inspection of spare tire pressure is a capital idea. Lowering the vehicle onto the spare is the wrong time to find out there's not any air in that tire, either. Check the spare tire air pressure at the same frequency as the rest of the tires. This spare requires 60psi!

Ugh, It Happened

Never attempt to change a tire on the side of a shoulderless highway, steep incline, blind corner, edge of a scenic roadside chasm, or other potentially dangerous situation. Always pull the vehicle slowly away from impending doom and into a safe area first.

Locate and remove the spare tire. Temporary spares are designed to be just that, and are to be used only for short distances at slow speeds (usually under 50 mph).

Find and remove the emergency jack. If luck is good, the lug wrench or tool kit may also reside in the same location.

Informative and entertaining instructions are usually not far from the spare itself. These instructions are also in the owner's manual. Heed all warnings — especially concerning the emergency jack points.

Turn engine off. Apply parking brake. Before raising vehicle first use the lug wrench to break loose, but not remove the lug nuts. Unless you happen to drive an old Plymouth with bizarre reverse-thread wheel studs, removing and installing nuts is always the same. Righty tighty. Lefty loosey. Putting your foot down also helps here.

Place the emergency jack under the jack point and raise the vehicle just enough to remove wheel and tire. The moniker of the jack is well chosen. Emergencies only! Stay out from under the vehicle while using often spindly emergency jacks.

Remove the lug nuts, and set them aside together in a safe place. Hubcaps or hats work well to prevent misplaced nuts.

Lift the temporary spare onto the wheel studs. Thread the lug nuts onto the studs by hand first.

Snug up and seat the lug nuts against the wheel with the lug wrench before lowering vehicle. Tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern. Tighten one nut, then the one furthest from the first one.

Slowly lower the vehicle. Remove the emergency jack. Finish tightening the nuts in criss-cross pattern. Drive at reasonable speeds to the nearest tire service center. Happy motoring.

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And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Parts: Oil and Filter Change [internal]

Our buddy Greg sent in this clip (sorry G., forgot to mention Mel Gibson in the podcast), which describes in excruciating detail how to rim an all-terrain tire in the Arctic. Actually, you've already gone ahead and watched the clip, so you know how completely not excruciating it is. In fact, it's cooler than hell and takes less than two seconds. Just don't try it on the New Jersey Turnpike.

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The hoard of liability lawyers representing two giant companies can finally relax, grab a smoke or maybe take in an afternoon on the back nine. Bridgestone Corp. yesterday announced it was paying FoMoCo $240 million in a settlement related to Ford's wide recall of Firestone tires in 2000 and 2001, back when the words "tread separation" really meant something. Four years ago, Ford replaced millions of Firestones — the failure of which was cited by the Feds in rollover accidents linked to numerous deaths and injuries — at a cost of $3 billion. The tires had been original equipment on its Explorer SUV. Ford and Bridgestone never saw eye-to-eye on the cause of the tire failure, Bridgestone saying Ford set the inflation too low to make up for a center-of-gravity deficiency, and Ford blaming the problem on poor quality at Bridgestone plants.

Related:
McLaren Mulls Switch to Bridgestone [internal]

As if it wasn't humiliating enough having to pay to use gas stations' air pumps, a US-based company is marketing an air substitute for car tires it claims will increase gas mileage and improve vehicle safety and performance. The product, PurigeN98 is a tire-inflation gas created by drying and deoxygenating air, leaving 98 percent pure nitrogen — which happens to be the tire gas of choice for racing cars, airplanes and huge industrial trucks. The company plans to roll out its "Nitroflator" system to car dealers, auto and tire service centers, and fleet operators in the US before approaching the direct-to-consumer market. We've already seen ads for nitrogen-filled tires from tire outlets, which are marketing it as a safety and gas-saving solution you have to pay extra for. Looks like there's a new competitor in town. Evian, anyone? [Update: Where have we been? Not at Costco, for sure, because that warehouse club has been offering their tire customers a free nitrogen fill-up since 2004. Thanks to all who wrote in.]

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