In stock is better than in the kit
Increasingly, new cars do not have a spare tire or even a so-called. driveways. Instead, a repair kit with a special fluid and a compressor is offered.
Manufacturers refuse the "spare wheel" out of economy or the desire to find additional space in the trunk. However, the kit does not always replace the spare wheel.
The biggest advantage of using it is a trunk increased by several tens of liters (for example, in a Honda Civic without a spare wheel it is 70 liters more) and simple and quick repairs (no need to disassemble the wheel). The disadvantage of the kit is that it can only fix minor damage, such as after a blow to the nail. Cracks larger than 4 mm and cuts on the tire sidewall cannot be repaired. In addition, the kit is only enough for one wheel.
Tire sealing kits are for temporary tire repairs and service center access only. They can be divided into two types: branded and auxiliary. A branded one usually consists of a container with liquid and a pump, and additional ones are spray kits.
For the repair to be effective, all related activities must be carried out in the order specified in the instructions. Remember to be careful, because the liquid in the bottle is very harmful and if you get it on your clothes, you are unlikely to be able to clean it. If the tire does not inflate within a few minutes after filling the fluid, the tire is badly damaged and cannot be repaired with the kit.
However, if you manage to pump it up, check the pressure again after driving a few kilometers and top up if necessary. The speed of movement with a tire repaired in this way should be limited to 80 km/h and even below 50 km/h due to possible imbalance and, as a result, large vibrations on the steering wheel.
A tire repaired with a kit is suitable for further use only after a professional repair.
“The repair kit is handy, but only effective for minor damage. In our conditions, the best solution is to have a full-size spare tire, or “spare tire,” advises Andrzej Ekiert, head of one of the Warsaw tire services.
