Tire repair kit: how easy is it to patch a tire?

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Tire Repair Kit: How easy is it to patch a tire with it? It comes out of nowhere: puff - and suddenly a tire on the car burst. Depending on the extent of the damage, in the worst case only a new tire can help. If you were lucky, however, it was only a small tear, cut or hole that can be repaired by yourself, without having to attach the spare wheel – which most cars do anyway don't take it with you anymore. As helpful as a simple repair kit with an appropriate sealant might be, there is only one emergency measure, which requires further steps. These days, we no longer drive vintage cars with the spare wheel still hanging proudly from the rear. And the times when a full-size spare wheel was stowed in the boot floor are also over. Today's scope of delivery hardly includes a real one Spare wheel and even one Notrad is rare. Meanwhile stored in the trunk in the trough tire repair kit, which is also referred to as a tire set. This makes it possible to patch up a flat tire so that the tire survives the trip to the next workshop before a new tire must be installed on the vehicle. But as promising as it sounds: Repair kits have their limits!

In what situations to use?

If at all, such an incident only occurs on average every 10 years or at a mileage of around 150.000 – but when it does, action is required. Tire sets are ideal for not getting your hands dirty because they are quick and easy to use. Another bonus is that it is easy to use - where otherwise only jacks, wheel crosses and the like are used. Yes, as good as it may sound: Are flank or shoulder damaged, the tire repair kit has also reached its limits and the sealants it contains are no longer of any use. Tire bursts cannot be repaired and this also applies if the tyre slipped off the rim. And the hole in such damage may not exceed the size of 6 mm also not exceed. And some manufacturers of sets, which are cheap, even point to a maximum expansion of only 3 mm there. However, commercially available repair kits do a good job with minor damage to deal with the tire. A tip at this point: Even those who have never had to fix a puncture should do it themselves advance familiarize yourself with the repair kit and the associated instructions. This facilitates handling in an emergency.

What is the content of such tire repair kits?

There is a large selection of such kits for patching car tires – or even motorcycles. This always includes is a sealant, mostly latex-based. The respective sets differ in like the compound gets into the damaged tires. Ideally, manufacturers give their products a shelf life of up to 10 years. The specification is therefore higher than for a spare tire. However, it is not uncommon for the sealant included in the set to expire after just 4 years - and then you have to find a replacement. The cheaper sets for tire repairs contain a spray or a bottle to squeeze, where one too manual inflation of the tire is required. On the other hand, more expensive variants have electric compressors that are operated via the cigarette lighter in the car or a corresponding 12-volt connection in the trunk.

Most compressors have a built-in pressure gauge that you can use to monitor the air pressure. The price range for a tire repair kit is from 10 to 100 euros. There are also manual ones on the market tire repair kits with rubber strips, self-vulcanizing repair plugs and a T-handle tool. Such sets are particularly suitable for repairing a motorcycle tire. However, this requires much more manual work and skill. For cars, the sets are more for self-use not common. But you wear other than the sealant - for permanent repair at. However, when it comes to the puncture channel being closed professionally with a repair plug and sealed from the inside, then the work should be left to the professional, primarily if you have no prior knowledge of the subject Tyre repair gives.

Use a tire repair kit correctly!

The following note is essential: For safety reasons, tuningblog recommends all repair, inspection and maintenance work exclusively to be carried out in a specialist workshop! Although our information is summarized to the best of our knowledge and belief, we cannot assume any liability for the content. All information is therefore "without guarantee".

First, it is important that foreign objects in the tire removed. Most of these are caused by screws and nails. There are pliers included in good tire repair kits for this purpose. With the said squeeze bottles, which fill the sealant into the tire, it is necessary to first unscrew the valve insert from the tire. A special tool is often included for this, as it can require a certain amount of effort. If there is still air in the tire, it must be completely drained will. With the bike you have to make sure that the valve located below, so that the filling of the sealant can be carried out easily. If a spray is used, it is important to pay attention to the minimum temperature of the manufacturer must be observed - if necessary, the wrong one must be warmed up on the heater fan of the car. In the next step, the connection piece is screwed onto the valve thread so that the entire spray content can be distributed in the tires. This process is similar to the squeeze bottle process, but is in combination with a compressor through the compressed air much more comfortable.

What does the sealant do?

If the sealant has been applied to the tire, immediate action is required. Because it's about being inside well distributed, before it dries to reach the damaged area. After the tire on the specified minimum air pressure was brought should come with the vehicle slowly and carefully be driven a bit. After about ten minutes, it is the air pressure to check again and bring it to the full pressure specified in the product description for onward travel to the workshop. Please keep in mind: The tire was only provisionally patched, it is not full replacement! Therefore this is not a Permanent solution and can be dangerous if careless!

How long can I drive with a patched tire?

The operating instructions for the tire repair kit provide information on how long it can be used. The prescribed maximum range is usually between 30 and 50 kilometers. However, if possible, it should previously visit a workshop. Furthermore, one applies Top speed of 80 km / h to be considered, because of course the speed also has an effect on the length of durability. Another thing to note is that the sticky sealant almost always seals the valve congested and this after filling is no longer usable. The tire must therefore against a new one be exchanged, there is no avoiding it. However, a tire repair kit can be the first step in an emergency and has helped many to avoid being dependent on roadside assistance or other towing services. Also to note: If the tire is still quite new and the profile is hardly worn, a professional repair be the better choice. However, there is no way around contacting a towing service to bring the vehicle to the workshop. It is not worth repairing an older tire. An alternative would be to carry one full spare wheel or one Notrad an alternative. Depending on the vehicle, the compressor set may be removed and a suitable one replaced spare wheel be put in.

Advantages and disadvantages of a tire repair kit at a glance:

Advantages:

• less weight when transported in the trunk compared to a spare wheel
• a makeshift to save yourself the towing service
• fuel savings
• less space required
• cheap and practical to use
• little time expenditure

Disadvantages:

• cannot be used for every puncture
• the tire is irreparably damaged after the application
• the durability of the sealant is limited (and also temperature dependent)
• it is not a full tire replacement

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