A growing number of new cars come with a tyre repair (sealant) kit instead of a spare wheel. It saves weight and boot space and helps fuel economy, but it only works for small punctures in the tread. For sidewall damage, a blowout or a shredded tyre, a sealant kit won't help at all.
How a tyre repair kit works
You connect a small compressor and pump liquid sealant into the tyre through the valve. The sealant coats the inside and plugs small holes while you drive slowly to the nearest fitter. It's a temporary get-you-going fix, not a repair, and the tyre usually needs replacing or a proper inspection afterwards.
Limitations to know
- No good for holes larger than about 4mm or any sidewall damage.
- Sealant can make a professional puncture repair impossible, forcing a new tyre.
- Kits have an expiry date, check yours is in date.
The case for a spare wheel
A full-size or space-saver spare lets you swap the wheel and carry on. The downside is the space, weight and the fact that space-savers are limited to around 50mph and short distances. You also need to be willing and able to change a wheel safely at the roadside.
The third option: a mobile fitter
If you have neither a usable spare nor a working kit, or you simply don't want to change a wheel on a hard shoulder, we come to you. Our 24-hour mobile tyre service reaches you across London and Birmingham, repairs where it's safe and replaces where it isn't. Book a callout.
