Best car tyre sealant
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 1 year ago
3 min read
- Advice
- tyre
- best
Are you looking for the best car tyre sealant to help you reach your destination safely? WhoCanFixMyCar can help.
Contents:
What is tyre sealant and how does it work?
Top 5 best car tyre sealants
Here are five of the best sealants available in the UK that will keep you on the road until you can take your car to a garage.
What is tyre sealant and how does it work?
Tyre sealant offers a convenient way to keep your tyre inflated after it has been punctured.
There are two different types of tyre sealant: pre-puncture and post-puncture. Both are adhesive gels that can be injected via a tyre’s valve with a compressor. Your car might have come with a compressor when you bought it, but if not it’s easy to get one online.
Pre-puncture tyre sealant
Though pre-puncture tyre sealant won’t stop you getting a puncture, it will patch over the damage as soon as it occurs, allowing you to reach your destination safely.
If you use a pre-puncture sealant it might be difficult to tell that your tyre has a puncture, so it’s important to check regularly. As soon as you notice that your tyre has been damaged you should have it repaired by a trained mechanic, or change it yourself if you know how.
Post-puncture tyre sealant
As you might have guessed, post-puncture tyre sealant comes to the rescue after a puncture has occurred. It plugs the hole and allows you to pump up the tyre so you can get your car to a location where it can be fixed.
How long can you drive with tyre sealant?
Tyre sealant is always a temporary solution. Ideally, you shouldn’t drive further than 50 miles with tyre sealant in place, and it won’t last for more than 100 miles.
Most tyre repair kits will specify a maximum distance and speed that you can drive with a sealed up puncture; however, if yours doesn’t then stick to a maximum of 50mph for 50 miles.
Permanent repairs should always involve the tyre being removed and carefully inspected for damage.
How to use tyre sealant
Follow these steps to successfully use tyre sealant.
Locate the puncture - don’t use sealant if the puncture is more than 4mm in diameter; the puncture is outside of the main tread area; the rim is damaged; or the tyre has been flat for an extended period.
Position the wheel - drive forward slightly to make the puncture easily accessible.
Connect the sealant and compressor - squeeze the sealant through the air valve and connect the compressor, plugging it into your car’s cigarette lighter or 12v socket.
Inflate the tyre - the compressor will re-inflate your tyre; make sure to check the correct pressure in your owner’s manual.
Remember that you can’t drive around with a sealed puncture forever; you need to have the damage fixed professionally or the tyre replaced as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a puncture prevention system for tyres?
Yes - you can use pre-puncture sealant. Although it won’t stop you from getting a puncture, it will allow you to continue driving by temporarily sealing the damage until you can arrange a repair.
What is a tyre sealant kit?
A tyre sealant kit comes with all the necessary components for you to temporarily repair a puncture. Usually, this includes tyre sealant, a compressor, and sometimes stickers that should be placed inside the cabin to remind you to replace the tyre.
How do you use a tyre sealant compressor?
First of all, check how much pressure your tyre needs (this information will be in your owner's manual) and adjust the compressor's setting accordingly. Next, unscrew the cap from your tyre's valve and connect the compressor, making sure there is no hissing as the tyre is filled up.
What are the disadvantages of using a tyre sealant?
As previously mentioned, sealant is only a temporary fix, so in many ways it can be seen as delaying the inevitable; you'll still need to have the tyre repaired or replaced relatively soon.
Furthermore, pre-puncture sealants can actually prevent you from being aware of a puncture.
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