Learn How to Use Tire Inflator

[Auto Motive]

I have three vehicles with no spare tire. In addition to having the inflator, I carry a plug kit. I have had two flats in the past (not MME yet) where the sealant did not work, had to get towed. If I had used a plug kit, I could have fixed those. I did have a blowout on one car, no choice but to have it towed.

Need to get three for all cars. Haven't had a flat in 40 years but my time may be running out. Thanks.

Sponsored

 

[Auto Motive]

Note that the MME has no jack so spinning a tire to find a nail hole to plug is a project in itself.

I carry AAA Plus and would call for a flatbed tow before plugging. I’m a senior and no longer can dive under a car. I’d need a tow to get me back up.

Me too. The 100 mile tow is really worth the extra money. We moved 50 miles from my auto shop and last year I needed my car worked on I put a gas treatment in my third car and forgot to close the gas cap. Next day it rained 2 inches and water in the tank car ran really bad. My mechanic of 50 years, son now runs shop charged me $150 to drain a full rank of gas, clean injectors and fill the tank with gas.

 

[AZBill]

Note that the MME has no jack so spinning a tire to find a nail hole to plug is a project in itself.

I carry AAA Plus and would call for a flatbed tow before plugging. I’m a senior and no longer can dive under a car. I’d need a tow to get me back up.

It depends. In the cases where I got flats and the sealant was not working, it was easy to find the leaks with the air (and goo) coming out of the tire. My biggest concern is when on a trip in the middle of nowhere, especially out west, waitng on a tow can be hours.

 

[ChuckA]

I've never had a ruined tire from sealant.
Its absolutely disgusting to work on, and the shop I worked at for years would charge extra for the fix because of how gross it was.
Not one tire was ruined though. All of them took a plug/patch just fine and went on their merry way.

I was controller at an independent tire dealer and we charged a lot to clean these up. The rims need to be cleaned and the tire needs to be buffed with a wire brush. If the latex isn’t completely cured. the crap spills onto the mount/balancing equipment. Sometimes the tpms valve is ruined..

I guess I exaggerated a little but the thought is don’t use sealant unless you must.

By the way, my slow leak tire was caused by damage to the bead by the last shop that dismounted my snows. The solution is to watch it, use the sealant, or replace the tire I’ll watch it.

Sponsored