First Flat Tire W/O Spare - Inflation Kit Worked But Questions Remain

[kflats]

Discovered low (7 psi) tire in garage this morning. Used repair kit and, after deciphering directions in manual, managed to inflate tire. Unfortunately, after backing out I discovered a large piece of metal sticking out of tire. Mach-E taken to garage on trailer to avoid more tire damage, but I suspect I'll need a new tire.

But it got me thinking - if it was just a puncture which got sealed, what restrictions, if any, would there be on continued driving (a la temp spare)? Would the tire also need to be further repaired? Is the repair just a one-and-done thing? So many questions for someone who's changed lots of tires over the 60 years of driving, but newbie in the "no-spare" world.

Manual was no help and searching forums didn't help (although i might not have entered the right search terms).

Thanks

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[E. Shore Farmer]

My quick reaction is that once you put that goop into a tire you are committed to a new one, but I admit I have never done it. I’ve been hauling around a Modern Spare now for three years and not used it at all. You know, the minute I take it out of the car………

 

[AZBill]

That sealant is meant to be temporary. I carry plug kits in all my cars, rather than trying to rely on sealant.

Last time I tried sealant on a flat, it was a complete failure, just leaked out the hole. In your case it would hold for a while, until that metal piece came loose. Normally a tire shop can put a patch inside of the tire, as long as the damage is not too close to the edge.

 

[ChuckA]

That sealant is meant to be temporary. I carry plug kits in all my cars, rather than trying to rely on sealant.

Last time I tried sealant on a flat, it was a complete failure, just leaked out the hole. In your case it would hold for a while, until that metal piece came loose. Normally a tire shop can put a patch inside of the tire, as long as the damage is not too close to the edge.

But if you inject the sealant, the patch won’t hold. Rule of thumb, never use the sealant. It ruins the tire and is cleanup hell for the rim.

 

[ChrisO]

Personally, I would only attempt to use the sealant in an emergency situation. As in I would have it towed before I used it if possible.

Way back when I used such a sealant on a tire to get it to a place where they could repair it. And the guy explained how terrible it was, and I have never done it since.

I'm not really comfortable with the idea of plugging it myself, and I really don't want to carry around a "Modern Spare". So, if this happened to me, the first thing I would try is filling it up and see how fast the leak is. If it is a slow leak, I would drive it right to a place to get it fixed. If not, I would have it towed. Note that my insurance (and I think Ford's assistance program) pays for this kind of thing. So, for me it is no brainer to just get it towed and avoid all the possible bad ramifications.

 

[RickMachE]

Discovered low (7 psi) tire in garage this morning. Used repair kit and, after deciphering directions in manual, managed to inflate tire. Unfortunately, after backing out I discovered a large piece of metal sticking out of tire. Mach-E taken to garage on trailer to avoid more tire damage, but I suspect I'll need a new tire.

But it got me thinking - if it was just a puncture which got sealed, what restrictions, if any, would there be on continued driving (a la temp spare)? Would the tire also need to be further repaired? Is the repair just a one-and-done thing? So many questions for someone who's changed lots of tires over the 60 years of driving, but newbie in the "no-spare" world.

Manual was no help and searching forums didn't help (although i might not have entered the right search terms).

Thanks

Manual states it quite clearly:

The kit consists of an air compressor to re-inflate the tire and a canister of sealing compound that effectively seals most punctures. This kit provides a temporary tire repair allowing you to drive your vehicle up to 120 mi (200 km) at a maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) to reach a tire service location.

In the future, use the inflator, then move the car inspecting the tire. If the puncture is larger than 0.24 inches (as this was), then don't bother using the sealant. The 0.24 inches is on the same page.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Sealant only works on small leaks like a nail puncture. And yes there is a speed limit while driving on it.

 

[Teslaeata]

Driven around 2million miles and never needed an actual spare so proves little point in my case.

Nearly came to it one day though when, in my mid-life Audi TT car after a visit to a vehicle salvage yard when left front tyre picked up a 1” long piece of steel, that split tyre lost inflation completely on the apron coming off Canvey Island c170 miles from home

Anyhow, doubting that the puncture repair fluid would cut the mustard I inflated the tyre using the stuff anyway and it seemed to be leaking out almost as fast as it was going in there.

Anyhow, it did almost sort of seal, I drove 5 mins and found it lost about 10psi, reinflated and a further 10 mins lost 5psi, repeated a few more times before no further loss in pressure and blasted all the way home so the stuff which should only be used in an emergency proved just fine.

Another occasion, two tyres deflated 100 miles from home with no real spare, found a couple of rivets had punctured the tyres so pulled them out, screwed in a couple of screws which sealed enough to get me home.

I have temporary/emergency repair plugs I’d also consider using.

So, the point of the stories is the nature of temporary get-you-home repair required depends on circumstances - horses for courses if you like.

Never say never to using the goo, plug kits or whatever is required to avoid admitting the ignominy of a tow truck

 

[MoonRiver]

That sealant is meant to be temporary. I carry plug kits in all my cars, rather than trying to rely on sealant.

I too have a plug kits in there. Besides plug is more reliable that sealant it doesn't clog the TPMS sensors. Once you inject those sticky stuff in the tire valve you mess up the sensor and have to replace it.

 

[jay1122]

I always avoid using the sealant kit. They are messy and not effective on large puncture. Last time I had a flat near my home. I had to have my family bring the jack to get the wheel out and send it to the tire shop. I still believe spare tire is the best option. It is just very rarely used. Most tire punctures leak air slowly.

 

[jav_eee]

My quick reaction is that once you put that goop into a tire you are committed to a new one

But if you inject the sealant, the patch won’t hold.

a good shop will clean it out and patch the tire. A new one is not needed just because you used sealant.

 

[Kevstone]

I had to use the sealant kit recently but my story is that the replacement sealant canister is no longer available. You can get the pump unit but not the sealant - on which you will find the pipe to connect to the tyre valve. Is that nuts, or what?

 

[jav_eee]

I had to use the sealant kit recently but my story is that the replacement sealant canister is no longer available. You can get the pump unit but not the sealant - on which you will find the pipe to connect to the tyre valve. Is that nuts, or what?

Just get a can of fix a flat from Walmart.

 

[Kevstone]

Thanks jav_eee. You are a life saver

 

[zenophobe]

https://a.co/d/eBE09mI Ordered one of these

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