San Luis Obispo, CA (February 2015) (February 2015) In the course of a lifetime of driving, the typical driver will experience at least five flat tires. This translates to 220 million tires in the US per year, or seven flat tires every second. While dealing with a flat is unpleasant, it appears to be unavoidable.
76 percent of respondents to a recent Michelin survey claimed to know how to change a tire, yet only 42 percent of the same group could name the correct initial step (loosen the lug nuts).
The majority of drivers are unable to change a tire, despite the fact that almost everyone will experience a flat tire or even many flats. If you have access to it, roadside help is always an option, but standing by the side of the road can be hazardous and time-consuming. Introducing the kit for urgent tire repairs. Many automakers now provide a temporary tire sealer with an inflator in place of a spare tire so that drivers may get back on the road quickly and safely in the majority of flat-tire situations.
Many people continue to believe that using a spare tire is the best option even though tire repair kits are faster and safer than changing a tire. According to Fix-a-Flat and Slime, the industry leaders in tire repair and flat tire prevention, the following six instances demonstrate when using a tire repair kit is not only wiser but the only course of action:
- Lack Of Air In The Spare: The majority of drivers neglect to check the spare tire’s air pressure, let alone their own tires. Usually, they discover their spare is flat too late.
- Your keys are missing: Not your car keys, please. your locking lug nuts’ keys. You cannot install the spare if the flat cannot be removed. If your lug nuts are removed, the same rules still apply.
- The road is slippery, the wind is howling, and automobiles are zooming past at 70 mph, but baby it’s cold outside. Oh, and it’s pitch-black and raining with freezing rain. You can quickly escape this uncomfortable and risky predicament by using a tire repair kit (pun intended).
- Who is Jack? The jack was taken by your son, who never returned it. It’s time to restrain him and use the tire repair equipment.
- Little Man, Big Machine On a pickup or SUV, a full-size spare tire weighs a lot of weight. The original wheel also did. Those who are smaller in stature, ill, or elderly may find it difficult to raise and handle them.
- You Need To Stand Out: Maybe you changed anything about your car, like the size of the tires. What’s this? If you have a rear flat, your spare won’t function. It may lead to different types of damage.
Additionally, many tow truck drivers do not carry a spare tire for their trailers, and motorcycle riders frequently lack a spare. All of these problems can be resolved with a tire repair kit.
Even yet, there is still a lot of misunderstanding about tire repair kits, despite the fact that it seems to be the perfect answer for both the manufacturer and the driver. The following advise comes from Patrick Mallon, marketing director for Slime and Fix-a-Flat, in response to some controversial concerns about these spare tire replacements:
- My tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) will be ruined by the sealant in tire repair kits: False. When applied as instructed, the majority of reliable sealants won’t have any impact on TPMS at all. The TPMS sensors just need to be cleaned with water once.
- False: My tire will be damaged by the sealant in tire repair kits. Today’s formulations from reliable companies are simple to remove with water and won’t harm your tire.
- Tire sealant is a hassle for the tire shop: Maybe. Your tire repairman could become irate if the sealant is utilized with a sticky inferior brand or if it is left within the tire for an excessively lengthy time. If not, all he needs to do is water off the tire, which many people already do when putting on a tire patch.
- True. Tire sealant only works temporarily. It is not a long-term solution, just like a spare donut tire, therefore you should bring your car in right away.
The top brand for tire repair in the US since 1970 is Fix-A-Flat. For more than 40 years, their aerosol tire inflator solutions have safely assisted millions of people in repairing flat tires and getting back on the road. Consumers will have access to cutting-edge flat tire repair technology with their new product line, Fix-A-Flat Ultimate Repair kits.
In This Article...
Why is there no spare tire on my Kia?
The spare tire is no longer included in new cars from several automakers, including Kia. Their main goal is to replace them with inflator kits. The TMK significantly lightens the SUV, expands the load area, and enhances fuel efficiency.
Q: Is tire sealant permanent?
Tire sealants should only be used as a temporary fix. The goal of the tire sealant is to get you to the closest gas station, auto shop, or dealership where the tire may be fixed. You could need to have a brand-new tire installed on the car, depending on the severity of the tire damage.
Q: How long does tubeless sealant last?
The lifespan of tubeless tire sealant should be between two and six months. However, a lot of variables, like temperature, humidity, frequency of driving, tire casing thickness, and amount of punctures, affect how long something will last.
Q: How long do tire sealants last?
This is dependent on the brand and kind of tire sealant. Although the lifespan of each product should be specified, in general, tires can last up to two years before needing to be replaced.
Q: How much sealant do I need to use on a tire?
A: It depends on the size of the tire that has the puncture that needs to be repaired. Because a lawnmower tire is smaller, less material is required. Jeep tires, on the other hand, are bigger and generally require an entire bottle of tire sealant.
Q: How do I properly use tire sealant?
A: The valve or tire nozzle is used to inject the tire sealant. The next step is to add air to the tire until the desired pressure is reached.
How should tire sealant be applied?
Tire problems are annoying. They often prevent a bike from being used for weeks, which is frustrating for both children and parents. Happily, preventing flats just requires an investment of $8 at Walmart (or $10 on Amazon) and 15 minutes in the garage. To rapidly and effectively fix flats and prevent them, tire sealants coat the interior of a bicycle tube with a fiber-filled “slime.” Slime typically only needs to be put to a tire or tube once to prevent flats for the duration of the tire or tube.
Only one flat tire has occurred in the four years we have been putting Slime in our son’s bicycle tires, and it happened when he rode through a field of spiky weeds. Since there is so much biking around here, I honestly can’t picture living without tire sealant! Slime is the most widely available brand and is sold at Walmart, Target, the majority of auto parts retailers, and Amazon. The 8 oz. bottle of slime found in the bicycle area is adequate for two bikes because you only need roughly 2 oz. per 12 tire. Consider going to the automotive section where the Slime frequently sells for less per ounce if you have multiple motorcycles to seal.
Have a bike pump handy before you begin because you will need to completely deflate the tire in order to add the Slime.
Step One: Remove the Valve Core
Before adding any slime, the inner tire stem valve must first be removed. While it may seem difficult, using the provided tool makes removal surprisingly simple.
Step Two: Apply Tire sealant
It’s time to add the Slime after the valve has been removed. For a 12 tire, add about 2 oz. (1/4 cup), and for a 16 tire, add about 2.5 oz. On the back of the slime bottle is a chart for larger tires, and their website has a calculator as well.
Step Three: Re-Inserting the Valve and Re-inflating the Tire
Use the tool to re-insert the core after the Slime has been applied. After that, spin the wheel to let the Slime distribute evenly throughout the tire by inflating it to the proper PSI (given on the tire sidewall).
Step Four: Repeat and Ride
You are then prepared to ride after repeating the procedure with the second tire. Since there is no waiting time with slime, the bike can be utilized immediately.
On the Kia Sportage, where is the spare tire?
A spare tire is not included with the 2020 Kia Sportage. Instead, drivers will discover a Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) in the Kia Sportage’s cargo compartment.
The meaning of the service tire mobility kit
Vehicles used to come with a full-sized spare tire, which might be hard to believe. That is still true for some automobiles today, mostly trucks. However, most modern cars come equipped with either a temporary spare tire or, in the case of the Ford Fusion, a tire mobility kit.
The terms “tire mobility kit” and “tire inflator” are interchangeable. Its benefit is that it occupies a lot less trunk room than even a temporary spare tire would. The equipment includes an air compressor with a hose attached and a built-in bottle of a substantial sealant.
If you have a flat, connect the line from the inflator kit to the tire’s valve stem. After that, turn on the device and let the sealant to be injected into the tire. The flat is then inflated using the kit’s compressor.
Using the kit doesn’t require the same level of physical power as changing a tire because you don’t have to remove the tire. However, if the hole is bigger than the size of a pencil eraser or is on the sidewall, the kit won’t work. It won’t help you if the tire has come loose from the wheel either.
What is the shelf life of a tire repair kit?
If used properly, you can anticipate it to last an average of 710 years. To ensure that the tire patch lasts, simply make sure the plug is thoroughly cleaned and dressed before using the appropriate vulcanizing chemical. Make sure the patch is applied to the tire’s inner and tread side as well.
How long will it take to replace a tire plug?
A plug’s lifespan might range from 7 to 10 years when a vehicle is properly maintained and serviced. For a wheel that has been repairable, that number is astounding.
Manufacturers caution consumers not to apply too many patches at once, though. Utilizing excessive amounts of repair techniques will have an impact on the fundamental operations, leading to deflation and explosion.
If a car’s wheels malfunction while you’re driving and you’re unsure about the best course of action, it’s advisable to take it to a repair shop where professionals can advise you on the best course of action.
Is it possible to travel a long distance with a patched tire?
A properly patched tire has no safety risks and is actually the best approach to treat flat tires.
No matter how rough or rocky the road is, it is safe to drive on a patched tire.
However, it would be preferable to get the tire(s) replaced if you frequently drive too fast on the highways.
As long as you obey the advised speed limit, it is safe to drive on a patched tire.
The patch can be applied by yourself. Just make sure you followed the tire manufacturer’s and repair kit manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions.
Do tire repair kits merit the price?
- Make a short-term tire fix. The majority of the time, tire repair kits are made for a quick fix, which means the patch should last long enough to drive the automobile to a shop for a permanent replacement. This makes a kit an excellent substitute for a conventional spare, particularly when several tires are flat.
- Reduce the cost of replacements. A tire’s life isn’t always over after a puncture. While bigger holes typically need to be replaced, smaller punctures can be successfully repaired with the right kit. If done correctly, the permanent repair may be sufficient to keep the tire in operation until regular wear requires a replacement.
- Acquire new knowledge. Not only drivers need to know how to fix tires. Anything with rubber tires, including bicycles and wheelbarrows, is susceptible to flats. The procedure for repairs is typically the same. This means that you can use the knowledge you get from utilizing a basic repair kit on several types of automobiles.
Which is preferable, plugging or patching a tire?
The size and location of the hole influence whether to plug or repair a tire frequently. After stepping on a nail, screw, or other tiny puncture, plugs are typically utilized. On small holes far from the walls, plugs are utilized.
- If your tire is even remotely close to the sidewall, don’t plug it.
- If the hole in your tire has an odd form, don’t plug it.
- If there is a significant hole or thick nail, don’t plug the tire.
- If your tire has been running flat for more than a mile, don’t plug it because the sidewalls may have been harmed.
- If the sidewall of your tire has a bubble or bulge in the rubber, don’t plug it.
- If your tire needs further repair, don’t plug it.
- Never plug a tire that is still attached to the wheel.
When the hole is smaller than a quarter-inch in diameter, tires are normally fixed, but it also depends on where it is. For larger holes, holes closer to the walls but not touching it, and holes that aren’t perfectly straight, patches are preferable to plugs. Be aware that a patch normally won’t suffice for tire sidewall repair; instead, you’ll probably want to replace the tire.
- If the tire is close to the sidewall, avoid patching it.
- If the tire is at an unusual angle, don’t patch it.
- If the hole is bigger than a quarter inch, don’t patch the tire.
- If your tire already has sidewall damage, don’t fix it.
- If the sidewall of your tire has a bubble or bulge in the rubber, don’t repair it.
- If your tire already has a patch in place nearby, don’t apply another one.
- Before patching your tire, remove it from the wheel and look for any other holes or problems.
In most cases, a patch needs to be done by a professional, however many owners may try to DIY a tire plug.