What's in the tire repair kit?

[Carsinmyblood]

I searched here 5 ways and asked Google.....

So, I'm wondering what's in the tire "kit" that we get in place of a spare?

If it doesn't include a patch/plug kit, Ima hafta get a few and teach the Mrs.

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[dtbaker61]

I searched here 5 ways and asked Google.....

So, I'm wondering what's in the tire "kit" that we get in place of a spare?

If it doesn't include a patch/plug kit, Ima hafta get a few and teach the Mrs.

no patch kit, just a 12v compressor.

If you are really worried about flats, you could try the stuff I use on mountain bike tires to prevent flats... 'Stan's sealant' , which is intended for 10psi-50psi tubeless tires. in a big 4" bike tire you might add 2oz of the liquid per tire, so a car tire might need 4oz or 6oz to get a decent coating spread around. This stuff will handle typical punctures no problem, no need for plugs. But they do also have a 'dart' patch install tool designed to work with their sealant for bigger holes or slow leaks that won't seal with just the liquid.

$32 or so for 32 oz..... needs to be refreshed probably 2x yr for best results.
https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/stans-notubes-sealant-32oz-bottle

POTENTIAL DOWNSIDES using preventative sealants are:
- messing up your TPS
- possible balance problems if it doesn't spread evenly
- unhappy tire shop guys when they remove the tire and get goo everywhere

 

[jsteach]

A tire mobility kit is sometimes called a tire inflator or tire repair kit. Its advantage is that it takes up considerably less space in a trunk than even a temporary spare tire would. The kit consists of an air compressor with an attached hose and an integrated bottle of a thick sealant.

https://www.wheelsjoint.com/how-to-use-tire-inflator-and-sealant-kit-on-ford-vehicles/

 

[BMT1071]

no patch kit, just a 12v compressor.

If you are really worried about flats, I'd suggest the stuff I use on mountain bike tires... 'Stan's sealant' , which is intended for 10psi-50psi tubeless tires. in a big 4" bike tire you might add 2oz of the liquid per tire, so a car tire might need 4oz or 6oz to get a decent coating spread around. This stuff will handle typical punctures no problem, no need for plugs. But they do also have a 'dart' patch install tool designed to work with their sealant for bigger holes or slow leaks that won't seal with just the liquid.

$32 or so for 32 oz..... needs to be refreshed probably 2x yr for best results.
https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/stans-notubes-sealant-32oz-bottle

Compressor and sealant. It would be a cruel joke to only include a compressor. I would hesitate to add any type of preventative sealant as it may have an effect on tire balance and/or ruin your TPMS sensors.

 

[dtbaker61]

Compressor and sealant. It would be a cruel joke to only include a compressor. I would hesitate to add any type of preventative sealant as it may have an effect on tire balance and/or ruin your TPMS sensors.

ah, I didn't even see the sealant pouch in the back of the compressor.... but yeah it might goober up your TPS.

The Stan's sealant is pretty watery, and is supposed to spread evenly as you rotate the tire, but it might create a balance problem in a car tire with higher volume of sealant and faster rotation of highway speeds rather than 20-30mph top speed on a MTB.

I know it works great in MTB tires, but I think I'll retract my endorsement for auto use as I have no first hand experience with it in auto tires.....

 

[dtbaker61]

A tire mobility kit is sometimes called a tire inflator or tire repair kit. Its advantage is that it takes up considerably less space in a trunk than even a temporary spare tire would. The kit consists of an air compressor with an attached hose and an integrated bottle of a thick sealant.

https://www.wheelsjoint.com/how-to-use-tire-inflator-and-sealant-kit-on-ford-vehicles/

note step 7..... yes the sealant messes up your TPS, and you are supposed to get to shop for permanant repair and replace valve and TPS after use of sealant.

 

[jsteach]

note step 7..... yes the sealant messes up your TPS, and you are supposed to get to shop for permanant repair and replace valve and TPS after use of sealant.

That's why I purchase a spare for long trips. In town will have AAA tow.

 

[milepost1]

they put the kit in to get rid of spare tires weight. By saying the kit will fix "most" flat tires you feel like you wont be stranded somewhere. My experiance is they fix very few flats even enough to get to tire store. Also new tires seem to get fewer flats. thanks to triple a usually easier to just have it towed and fixed rather than try to use the "tire repair kit".

 

[BMT1071]

That is a viable solution for someone with experience plugging tires, but not for the average motorist. The tire store will clean the wheel. The only risk is potentially having to buy a new sensor.

 

[kikibop]

I got a flat earlier this week. While driving on the freeway I heard a huge THWACK from the right rear of the car. I thought maybe some detritus on the road had gotten kicked up and hit the fender. I arrived at my destination a few minutes later and could see no damage. I did me errand and headed home (a 3-mile drive). As I exited the freeway ramp I got a huge warning notice on the dash alerting me to low tire pressure from the right-rear. I could see the PSI dropping - 26, 25, 24 ...

I pulled into my garage a couple minutes later and could hear the psssssst of the air exiting the tire. I followed the sound and found a 3/4-inch gash. I pulled out the tire inflation/repair kit and after about 5-10 minutes it was back up to ~40psi.

I drove the car to the tire shop 2 miles from home and the guy told me no way was it fixable. While looking at the tire with him, I saw that where the gash was, a white gooey substance was lining/exiting the puncture. So we ordered a replacement ($280!) and planned for me to return the following day. The tire held the air perfectly over the next 24 hours. When I drove back the to have the replacement done the next day, the tire had lost 1-2psi.

Based on this experience, I think this system kicks ass.

PS: Aside from this local tire shop, I called my local Ford dealer (The Ford Store San Leandro) and the service shop told me that while they could get a tire for a bit less ($230), it would take ONE WEEK to get the tire in. No way. I also called two other local shops who laughed at me when I told them the tire size I needed. I feel like it was a semi-miracle that I was able get the tire replaced less than 24-hours after the incident.

 

[generaltso]

I drove the car to the tire shop 2 miles from home and the guy told me no way was it fixable. While looking at the tire with him, I saw that where the gash was, a white gooey substance was lining/exiting the puncture. So we ordered a replacement ($280!) and planned for me to return the following day.

Did they have to replace the TPMS sensor also?

 

[2010GT]

I popped out my owner's manual, and I can't find any instructions on how to actually use this thing to seal a tire. Most models have a separate hose, one for air one for compound. I'm looking over my device, I don't see a second hose, but I do clearly see the reservoir holding the tire slime.

What am I missing here? My concern is I'm going to get a flat, and use this thing the wrong way, waste the tire slime and be stranded.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I popped out my owner's manual, and I can't find any instructions on how to actually use this thing to seal a tire. Most models have a separate hose, one for air one for compound. I'm looking over my device, I don't see a second hose, but I do clearly see the reservoir holding the tire slime.

What am I missing here? My concern is I'm going to get a flat, and use this thing the wrong way, waste the tire slime and be stranded.

There is a dial to select between injecting air and injecting sealant.

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