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.
In This Article...
How long is the lifespan of a tire mobility kit?
In order to patch punctures in tire tread caused by nails or other similar objects with a diameter of up to 6 mm, the ContiMobilityKit is a comfortable repair kit. The kit includes a small compressor and a separate sealant container with a five-year shelf life. A roadside emergency tire change is not required in the event of a puncture; instead, the trip can continue for an additional 200 km at a top speed of 80 km/h. It’s not even necessary to take apart and replace the valve core; just a few simple steps will have you back in action. The ContiMobilityKit can only be used with passenger car tires that have a 3 bar minimum tyre pressure requirement.
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.
The contents of a mobility kit
What’s in the Kit. A pressure gauge to detect the correct tire inflation, a screw cap to reduce tire pressure, a hose to connect the compressor, a sealant bottle or wheel, a filling hose, connections, and cable are all included in each Tire Mobility Kit.
How is a tire monitor system maintained?
It must be stressful to assume your tire pressure is low all the time! Fortunately, there are quick fixes for service tire monitor systems.
Resetting the system is the simplest technique to repair the service tire monitor system in your car. When the sensors occasionally need extra assistance, there are two ways to reset the system.
Driving for at least 10 minutes at highway speeds is the first step towards resetting the system. When you start the car again or after your current drive, the light ought to go off.
You should reset the TPMS light if the approach described above doesn’t work. You can accomplish this by:
- without starting the engine, turning the ignition to the on position.
- Locate the TPMS button, then press and hold it until the alert flashes or goes away.
- driving around for a while, stopping, and then starting the car again.
The service tire monitor system should be maintained by a qualified technician if neither of the aforementioned approaches succeeds.
Download Jerry to save money on your auto insurance if you’re searching for something to do while you wait for the technician to finish the repairs. The Jerry app, a registered broker that provides end-to-end support, gathers reasonable rates, assists you in switching plans, and, once you’ve made a decision, will even assist you in canceling your old policy.
Tire repair kits: do they harm the tire?
CA San Luis Obispo (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.
Why do new cars lack a spare tire?
Because of regulatory pressure to get more miles per gallon of gasoline, automakers are omitting the spare tire: by removing the 4050 pounds that a tire and jack typically add to a car’s weight, fuel economy is somewhat increased. (Incidentally, because automakers don’t have to pay for those parts, this enhances their profits.)
The issue is that if a tire’s sidewall is cut or if the flat is brought on by more severe damage than a tread rupture, a sealant kit won’t be of much assistance. Think about investing in a spare-tire kit, which comes with a tire, jack, and lug wrench, if you want to be ready for any kind of flat tire. These starter kits cost about $150.
Before you take delivery, Chris Jones, a trained mechanic and tire specialist at CR, advises that you should be aware of how your automobile is outfitted.
Don’t assume the car has a spare tire if you’re going to purchase it. The showrooms are the greatest place to find out, so you may use it as a negotiating chip instead of on the side of the road after a flat.
I’m from New England and have driven anything from a Segway to an aircraft carrier. I’ve actually driven thousands of automobiles, many of them on international racetracks. At the CR Auto Test Center today, such knowledge and enthusiasm are being used to empower customers. And if that means sacrificing some tires in the name of the truth, then be it. Continue with me
Why don’t new cars come with a spare tire?
You’re making your way home through an unlit country path on a rainy, windy night. A loud thump is followed by the car pulling firmly to one side. Your tire has been punctured by a pothole you just hit. Any person with a practical mentality would prepare themselves and swap the damaged wheel with the spare. It’s possible that at this point you realize your car doesn’t truly have a spare wheel.
Many individuals won’t know whether their car has a spare wheel or not since they have a puncture every 44,000 miles, or every five years, according to tire manufacturer Continental. More and more automakers have switched from traditional spare wheels to tyre repair kits during the past ten years. They identify two key causes for this: repair kits are lighter and take up less room, which improves fuel economy.
Cost, though, is a third justification. A space-saving spare wheel could cost 100, whereas a tire repair kit costs about $20. Car manufacturers can therefore profit from this practice by including repair kits as standard equipment and assessing an additional fee for a spare wheel.
To find out what they include as standard to deal with flat tires, we performed a survey of 251 new automobile models from 31 companies. We discovered that just 8% of them come with a full-size spare wheel. 30 percent of vehicles come equipped with a space saver, while 55 percent have a tyre repair kit instead of any kind of spare wheel. Run-flat tires are on the other vehicles. Here is our list of models that can and cannot be purchased with a spare wheel.
What Car? says…
We think it’s unfortunate that so many automakers charge extra for a spare wheel, but if you can, we still advise obtaining one. If your automobile develops a puncture, even a space-saving wheel will allow you to reach your destination, and that’s preferable to the chance of having to have your car towed to a shop to acquire a new tire if your tyre repair kit is insufficient.
Discover which automobile types and models include a spare wheel, space-saving spare, or tyre inflation kit, as well as how much it will cost to install a spare if one is an optional extra, by clicking through.
Is a spare tire included with the Kia Sportage?
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.
Is there a spare tire included with the 2019 Kia Sportage?
Unlike all other Kia vehicle lines, the Kia Sportage does not come with a spare tire that can be stored in the trunk. To help you meet all of your tire demands, you are provided with a spare tire package. You should purchase a spare wheel of your own for safety reasons.
Visit our showroom today to view our inventory if you want to learn more about the Kia Sportage.
Does Kia offer a tire warranty?
Our goal is to ensure that you continue to enjoy your Kia for many years to come. NOTE: Tire manufacturers provide warranties for their products. Second and subsequent owner(s) 60 months/60,000 miles *1 Original owner 120 months/100,000 miles *2 With the exception of those parts specifically mentioned as being covered under the Federal Emission Performance Warranty.