FLAT TIRE PSI DRIVERS
FLAT TIRE PSI PATCH
FLAT TIRE PSI FULL
FLAT TIRE PSI PORTABLE

There are limitations to what can be fixed with a sealant product. They cost more, but based on our experience, the price is worthwhile. On a vacation, or during a busy day, a tire repair kit with a compressor would allow you to continue on route.

In addition, the kits evaluated can be safely stowed in the car, even a hot car. The better investment is a tire sealant kit that has the ability to fix a punctured tire and inflate it to the recommended pressure as specified by your car’s tire information placard found on the driver’s door jamb.

FLAT TIRE PSI FULL

In a pinch, a pressurized can sealant may be able to fix a small hole and allow the car to limp to the tire store for a full repair or tire replacement, provided you have a compressor to top off the tire pressure. Most products specifically claim that they are TPMS safe.ĭo be aware that some sealant products have expiration dates and will therefore need to be replaced periodically, even if not used. They can potentially gum up the tire-pressure monitor sensor (TPMS), if so equipped, risking erroneous readings. Sealants coat the inside of the tire and wheel with a messy residue, which a tire shop has to clean out, possibly causing extra expense. If you use a tire sealant, you should get the tire professionally repaired or replaced as quickly as possible-typically within 100 miles or as directed by the product. Your only option is to replace the tire with that kind of damage. No attempt should be made to repair a hole larger than 6 mm in diameter or a cut or hole in a sidewall with these products. Liquid tire sealants ($9-$14) is a liquid sealant poured through the valve stem of a tire/wheel, then inflated with a compressor that's not included. Many new cars supply this kind of kit in lieu of a spare tire.

FLAT TIRE PSI PORTABLE

Tire-sealant kits ($24 to $80) combine a portable 12-volt air compressor and a replaceable container of sealant. The sealers we bought claim to seal a hole and partially inflate the tire. Pressurized-can sealants ($7 to $20), such as the ubiquitous Fix-a-Flat, are one-time-use products that have a dispensing tube that screws to a tire’s air-inflation valve. Each is readily available in stores and online, and we bought multiple samples of each one for the project. To see how the latest products work, the Consumer Reports tire team evaluated seven common sealant models among three distinct types. These products have been on the market for years, but their appeal is increasing as automakers cut back on spare tires in new cars to save weight, as they chase fuel-economy goals. A full kit would allow the tire to be brought up to its full operating pressure.

FLAT TIRE PSI PATCH

The air within the can would at least partially refill the tire so that you could drive the car slowly to a repair shop for a professional patch or tire replacement. Simply connect the nozzle from a pressurized can of sealant and spray essentially a goo in the tire that covers the hole. No need to call for help or pay for an expensive tow. The promise is that if you get a small hole in the tire, say from running over a nail, you could perform a temporary fix, quickly and easily. But run-flats can contribute to a firmer ride in general, and they are often expensive to replace and difficult to find in a hurry. When punctured, they provide extended mobility in a “limp-home” mode at reduced speed and for a limited distance, much like a temporary spare tire-without the need to perform the dirty task of changing the tire. (If you have a spare tire, be sure to check and adjust its air pressure regularly, or it may be flat when needed.) Just 9 percent came with a full-sized spare tire-the only solution that allows you to continue your travels, without stopping at a service center for a professional repair or new tire.

Reviewing records on Consumer Reports test cars going back to the 2017 model year revealed that about 62 percent came with a temporary spare, 15 percent had a sealant kit, and 11 percent were equipped with run-flat tires and no spare.

FLAT TIRE PSI DRIVERS

These days, it is important for drivers to have a plan for dealing with a flat tire before it happens.

This is a shame, because they have great promise, and the alternatives bring real compromises. But our testing reveals that not all tire repair kits work as expected. These typically cost around $10 for a pressurized can to around $80 for a full kit with a portable tire inflator, making them an attractive addition to an emergency kit that is kept in the car. For many motorists, the best tools to fix an ailing tire are a phone, roadside assistance membership, and a spare tire or tire sealant kit, which can be used to fix small holes and refill the deflated tire. Adding to the drama is the reality that many recent cars don’t even come with a spare tire. A flat tire is always inconvenient and often dangerous, risking loss of control while driving or collision while performing a roadside repair.

Flat tire psi