Puncture repair kit: how does it work?

On most new cars, it has been delivered in place of the spare wheel for a long time. How does the puncture repair kit work and what are its limits? Certainly it will never replace a real spare wheel, but it should be able to help you out in most cases…It comes in two parts: an electric compressor plugging into the cigarette lighter. And a bottle containing a sealant (usually a latex and water-based putty). When the tire is flat, the cylinder is connected to the compressor, and the compressor to the valve. The compressor sprays the product, which settles on the inside of the tire. Then you have to drive at low speed for a few kilometers so that the product is distributed evenly in the tire.

A good alternative to the spare wheel? Yes, but…

We finally perform a final inflation with the compressor, to ensure that the leak has been sealed. If manufacturers prefer the puncture repair kit to a spare wheel, it is because it is less heavy, and less cumbersome! But, like a “cake” wheel, the kit only allows a temporary repair: it should not exceed 80 km/h and have the tire repaired or changed promptly. In addition, the kit will be useless in the event of a tire burst, or if the hole in the envelope is too big (more than 5 mm). Finally, the vulcanizing product tends to settle on the inside of the rims, which will therefore have to be cleaned.

Nothing beats the good old method…

Puncture repair kits are useful tools to have in your vehicle in case of an emergency. But they have their limits and are not not intended to replace professional tire repair. They can keep you riding safely after a minor puncture until you can get the tire repaired properly… Eventually, a spare wheel (excluding the wafer) is certainly heavier, more cumbersome and more technical to install, but at least it has the merit, once mounted, of get rid of your worries…

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