As we all know, the UK's roads have more potholes than you can shake a stick at, so unfortunately there's always the chance of a pesky puncture lurking in the wings, ready to take your car out of action.
Yet for some drivers, the thought of fitting a spare tyre whilst on the hard shoulder of the A4 can be the stuff of nightmares. Luckily, there is an easier alternative ...
Tyre foam repair kits.
If you're driving a new, modern car, then chances are it will come with one of these instead of a spare tyre. Of course, your car could come with neither, in which case you have the option to buy tyre foam – usually at a less expensive price than a spare tyre.
In this guide, we'll be telling you more about the benefits of tyre foam and how to use it, so that when the worst comes to worst and a puncture threatens to ruin your day, you'll be ready.
Let's hit the road!
Long-term Efficacy: How Long Does Tyre Foam Last?
As useful as tyre foam is, it's important to remember that at the end of the day it is only a 'quick fix', short-term solution (usually 50 to 100 miles kind of short-term) for a puncture. That's mainly because it doesn't involve removing the tyre from the wheel and examining it for internal damage. And if there is internal damage there that isn't fixed soon, then the tyre could fail later on. So yeah, pretty important ...
The main thing to remember is that tyre foam will keep you up and running for a little while longer, but you do still need to take your car to a garage or tyre fitters as soon as possible following a puncture – ideally on the same day, if you can.
How Far Can You Drive on Tyre Foam?
Not to the ends of the earth obviously. It is just meant to be a temporary fix, after all.
After applying tyre foam, you'll usually be able to drive for a maximum range of about 50-100 miles (but hopefully you'll have checked into a garage and had the puncture permanently fixed before then).
So there's usually that mileage restriction in place, but if in doubt, stick to a maximum of 50mph for 50 miles. And make sure you drive carefully when cornering and braking.
What Does Tyre Sealant Contain?
It's nowhere near as exciting as the secret ingredients for a Krabby Patty, but just in case you were wondering, tyre sealant usually contains a bunch of chemicals mixed with latex. Some liquids with reinforcing fibres may also provide added strength and durability.
In order to help the environment and get away from using hazardous chemicals, newer solutions have tended to be created from water-soluble solutions, meaning many are now bio-degradable, non-toxic, non-flammable and can be washed away with water.
Ease of Use
Luckily, there's nothing too rocket sciencey involved – making tyre foam easy enough to use for those not of a mechanical bent (which, let's face it, is pretty much everyone).
Just take the following steps and you could be well on your way and good to go in as little as five minutes. That's opposed to the half hour or so it could take you to change a tyre ...
Step 1: Get your car ready
Make sure you're in a safe place away from traffic and that the car's prepared.
Turn on your hazard warning lights
Switch off your engine
Put the handbrake on
If you're driving an automatic, put the vehicle into Parking mode
Make sure everyone is out of the car
Step 2: Locate the puncture
Look at the tyre carefully in order to locate the puncture and check if it's suitable for repair.
You cannot use a tyre foam repair kit if:
The wheel rim is damaged
The puncture is more than 4mm in diameter
The puncture is outside the main tread area
The tyre has been flat or on low pressure for an extended period of time
If you spot a nail or a piece of glass or any similar item that’s pierced the tyre, we'd advise you not to try and take it out. It might be stuck in so deep that it's actually preventing air from escaping, so have a professional see to it.
Step 3: Position the wheel
After finding the puncture, you might be best re-positioning the wheel by driving forward a little to make it easier to repair.
Make sure the puncture is clearly visible at the top of the tyre
Try positioning the air valve in the top half of the tyre
Step 4: Connect the sealant and compressor
Your puncture repair kit comes with a bottle of sealant and a compressor.
The kit will explain everything, but usually you’ll usually need to insert the sealant into the tyre through the air valve
You might need to remove the valve first and squeeze in the sealant
Then it's a case of connecting the compressor. This might connect to the tyre valve directly or to the bottle of sealant to help pump the sealant in
Plug the compressor into the car’s cigarette lighter or 12v socket
Step 5: Inflate the tyre
Use the compressor to re-inflate the tyre.
Check the vehicle's manual to find the right tyre pressure
Ensure the car is in neutral with the handbrake brake on
Turn on the engine and the compressor
The compressor will have a valve to show you the pressure level
Once the tyre is at the right pressure, turn off and detach the compressor
Step 6: Drive and re-check the tyre
Almost done ...
The kit will mention whether you need to, but usually it's necessary to drive for a little while so that the sealant can distribute the foam throughout the tyre.
Check the tyre
If the sealant has worked, then drive to a garage. You might need to inflate the tyre a bit more first, so check the instructions on the kit and the pressure in your handbook.
Step 7: Replace the tyre
Once you're satisfied that the tyre has been successfully repaired, drive your car to the nearest garage or tyre fitters for a proper, permanent fix. No matter how small the puncture is, a tyre that's been repaired with sealant almost always needs replacing.
Advantages of Tyre Sealant
Convenience: The whole process is a lot quicker and easier than fitting a spare wheel, where you'd have to remove wheel nuts and raise the car up from the ground, etc.
Space: If you really need the extra space for that weekly shop, then you'll be glad to know that compared with spare wheels, repair kits and compressed cans are small and easy to stow away. Plus, the lighter weight can help provide you with better fuel economy.
Cost: Another perk of using foam/sealant over a spare wheel is the cash savings you'll be making. Whilst tyre foam is often supplied for free now with many new cars, sometimes you might have to buy it yourself, and that works out less expensive than purchasing a wheel.
Advantages of Tyre Sealant
Convenience: The whole process is a lot quicker and easier than fitting a spare wheel, where you'd have to remove wheel nuts and raise the car up from the ground, etc.
Space: If you really need the extra space for that weekly shop, then you'll be glad to know that compared with spare wheels, repair kits and compressed cans are small and easy to stow away. Plus, the lighter weight can help provide you with better fuel economy.
Cost: Another perk of using foam/sealant over a spare wheel is the cash savings you'll be making. Whilst tyre foam is often supplied for free now with many new cars, sometimes you might have to buy it yourself, and that works out less expensive than purchasing a wheel.
Summary
So, that about covers it on tyre foam! For sure, it's not the most interesting thing on the planet, but it does have the potential to make your life a heck of a lot easier when a puncture strikes.
More and more car manufacturers are ditching the spare wheel and giving you tyre foam instead, and it's easy to see why. It's quicker, more convenient, and takes up much less space.
Just remember to pull over in a safe place before applying it. It is only a quick fix at the end of the day, but it will keep your car on the road long enough for you to continue driving it and have it checked into a garage.
As always, happy leasing.
FAQs
Does tyre repair foam expire?
It does. When stored in the original packaging, tyre sealant has a shelf-life of approximately four years. (And that's probably the best-case scenario: you get no punctures and never have to use it.)
How long does tyre seal last?
Usually from 50 to 100 miles after it has been applied.
Is tyre sealant permanent?
No. It's just a quick fix to enable you to get to a garage where the punctured tyre can be permanently repaired or replaced.