If you’ve purchase a new car in the last few years you may notice, opening the trunk, that in place of the spare-tire, you’ll find a can sealant that can be used to patch up a flat tire.
While it should be used as a temporary fix and some people use it because it may seem easier to use than to change the tire. Some also choose to use it because they think that a towing service is expensive.
As professionals, we recommend not to use such sealants. It is a terrible idea to repair tires with it. Here’s why…
Reasons Not To Use A Sealant On Your Flat Tire
A Messy Solution
When sealants are used to fix a flat tire, it inserts a mixture of gas and goo inside the tire to stop it from leaking. The goo that is inside the tire is very difficult to remove. It should be removed when the tires are repaired but it can be very difficult to do, especially when it is all dried up.
It won’t only cost much for your tire to be repaired when it has sealant in it, it can also damage the tire that it is beyond repair. As per the label, the sealant won’t damage most tires but it’s best not to take your chances.
Not Suitable For Cold Season Or Regions
The tire sealant can’t be used in winter because of the low temperatures. It freezes in the can so you won’t be able to use it. Some tried to thaw it to make it usable but it still freezes inside the tire. This frozen mixture can make the wheel unstable and unbalanced, which is dangerous to use while driving.
Sealants Can’t Fix A Major Flat Tire
Sealants for tires are quite useful only in certain situations. If the leak in the tire is only a small hole and it is only leaking slowly a sealant is suitable. On the other hand, major flat tires or those that involve lots of holes or a bigger one can’t be repaired with a sealant.
Instead of patching up the hole, the sealant can also leak out of the wholes, making a mess. You will also be filled with the goo. If you’re unsure, its best not to use the sealant at all and choose other options to help with your flat tire.
Damage The TPMS
If you purchased your car in the last decade, there is a chance that it has a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This gives drivers a warning or an alert so they’ll be aware of any leaks even before the problem gets worse.
The problem with sealants is that they can go everywhere and that means that they can also clog the TPMS. When the tire is repaired, failure to completely remove all the sealant can ruin the sensor.
Apart from clogging, it is also possible for the sealants to damage the sensor of the TPMS. Some sealant manufacturers claim that their product doesn’t ruin TPMS but some car manufacturers warn against the use of sealants on their tires with TPMS.
Tires With Sealant Should Directly Head To The Shop
When a sealant is used on a tire, it is supposed to be brought to the shop immediately. A sealant is a temporary fix and should be removed at a tire repair shop or else it can corrode the wheels. If it is left inside the tire for a long time, it can freeze or dry and cause the wheel to become unbalanced.
Alternatives To Sealants
With the disadvantages of using sealants, the use of it is not advised. Don’t despair, sealants aren’t the only solution you can use for a leaking tire. Here are some better alternatives to using a sealant:
Run-Flat Tire Alternative
Run-flat tires are modern tires that allow you to run on a flat tire for up to 100 miles without damaging the wheel. The distance safe to drive will depend on the type of tire. These are also much safer to use rather than driving a regular flat tire. Some of the car brands that produce such tires are Mercedes, Toyota, and BMW.
Have A Spare Tire
Changing a flat tire with a spare one is a basic skill that every driver should know. Most cars have a spare but newer models today lack one because of favoring fuel economy over availability of a spare. Nevertheless, you can personally buy a spare and load it in your vehicle just in case.
Call For A Towing Service Or Roadside Assistance
When you have a flat tire, you can call for a towing service to get you to the nearest shop or to the car shop that you prefer to go to. Some companies can also provide you assistance in changing the tire in case you don’t know how or don’t want to.
