Tyres - liquid puncture repairs - did you know?

[AB-UK]

When I bought my new Exec in 2010 I insisted on the temporary spare rather than the aerosol repair "system" the dealer recommended. However, l carry a couple of the aerosols too to be on the safe side anyway.
Some models (is it the the "R" model?) have no choice since the spare can't be fitted into the wheel well.

I have just stumbled upon this from the British Tyre Manufacturer's Association :-

"Points to Note

Some sealants use an inflammable gas as the propellant/pressurising agent. This is known to have caused incidents when accidentally ignited.
The chemical composition of some sealants has been found to react with the material of the wheels, tyres or valves with which it comes into contact, causing degradation of these components.
The physical composition of some if not all sealants, may impair the efficiency of the valve causing blockage or leakage as well as inhibiting routine pressure maintenance.
All sealants are more or less difficult to remove from a tyre to enable inspection and possible repair. In some cases the tyre may be rendered economically unrepairable due to their presence.
Liquid sealants may permeate the tyre casing, either through the liner or via the site of the damage, causing long-term effects on the integrity of the structure.
Sealants are seen by the Industry as being ineffective in tube type tyres."


"Conclusions

BTMA members consider there are inherent dangers in the use of liquid sealants which they believe constitute an unapproved modification to their products for which responsibility cannot be accepted. Nevertheless they recognise that post-puncture sealants may well serve a useful function if used correctly. To this end, they would not oppose their use in conjunction with strict legislative controls such as those employed for temporary use spares and also with the proviso that once a tyre has been punctured and post-puncture sealant applied, the tyre must be discarded. "

************************************************** *********

So, as I see it, if you have a puncture and replace the wheel with the temporary spare, you can have the punctured tyre repaired (so long as it meets the BTMA requirements of course). However, if you don't have the temporary spare and use the liquid sealant to get you home, the option for a cheap repair is not open to you and an expensive replacement tyre is on the cards - two if tread depth on the axle would be significantly different.

It would seem therefore that Volvo are in some cases supplying vehicles which may cause the owner significant expense should a simple puncture occur. Of course I wasn't told this when I bought my car, was anyone?

[Ninja59]

main reason for this system is it lighter than a spare - lowering C02 got told that at a fiat dealer i hate the gunge systems they will force you to buy a new tyre but targeting saying it is just volvo is wrong virtually all cars are now this way or runflat which cannot be repaired in loads of circumstances.

very few owners will think of it but i will always run a spare even if a temp one.

[Ron_XC90]

Yes, quite unlikely that a tyre can be repaired after you used the 'gunk'.

tbh, the majority of punctures I've had were all minor, so only slowly deflating the tyre. I always carry a little 12v compressor and the 2 times I did have a puncture, inflated the tyre and kept it topped up till I found a tyre-shop somewhere along the route. just leave the screw or nail in rather than taking it out

[GP1]

My Dad's BMW now has the battery in the old spare wheel well. He now has a car with very limited boot space:-



Progress!!!

[KJ4x4]

I am always cautious about such proclamations from industry groups where there is a very heavy vested interest. Looking at this with my rather cynical eye, I think the bit they actually want is legislation that says a sealant repaired tyre must be disposed of, whether it is repairable or not. Why, oh, why would tyre manufacturers want that....?

IMO sealant is a temporary fix. Like Ron, I have (so far!) got by carrying a small compressor and getting into a tyre shop as soon as possible. I carry sealant, but have never resorted to using it (yet!). My 2 cents.

Kevin

[400-ascona]

This happened to my V70 T5 tyre a few years ago at 70mph in the fast lane of the M1. It would need to be good to seal this hole!

This is why I will never buy cheap tyres!



Rob

[harveys]

In my car I have a get you home spare tyre & the Volvo pump,bottle of sealant which has a shelf life of 6 years I think as I have just changed the sealant bottle.

[AB-UK]

400-ascona,
What tyre was it?

[400-ascona]

Originally Posted by AB-UK

400-ascona,
What tyre was it?

A Michelin. And I was able to pull to the hard shoulder calmly with no excitement. I looked at the tyre and decided it wasn't worth saving (the hole was too big for a patch.....!) so drove 300 yards to a slip road so I could fit the space saver spare I had in the boot.

The rim on the wheel was undamaged and the guy at the tyre place reckoned if it had been a cheap tyre we would have been barrel roling down the road. All i did was let go the trottle and let the car drift to the hard shoulder without touching the brakes. Plenty of smoke and a good thud as the chunks of rubber flew off but no real excitement other than that.

Rob.

[AB-UK]

Glad to hear you were okay.