As unique as tyres are, they are prone to lots of problems if proper measures to take care of the tyres are not considered. A tyre can be fixed using different methods. If its for a small puncture, the puncture kit will come out handy, However, there are times when tyres cannot be fixed by just using a puncture kit such as when the beads of the tyres are leaking. This is where tyre sealants come handy.
A can of aerosol tyre sealant will do the job to fix the tyres with leaks from beads. All you would have to do is attach a hose to the sealant and fix it to your tyre valves and empty the can to fix it. However, sealants as useful as they are, they come with problems like every other product on this planet. So here we explain the benefits and problems that a sealant repair can cause.
Pros of using tyre sealant:
Its fast and DIY solution:
Tyre sealants usually come in a pressurized can and are easy to use. The product works by spraying the content into the tyres which will inflate and coats the inside of the tyre which will plug the punctures and leaks. The vehicle can be driven so that the coating spreads evenly.
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If the tyres have major punctures or leaks, a sealant will do its job to help you to move the vehicle at least to the side of the road to move away from the heavy traffic seen in India. This will help you to move to a safer place. Using a sealant is a easy and quick option and they are available at any spare parts shop, puncture shops or automotive retail stores. It is also cheap which is a plus point.
Preventing flat tyres:
According to Marc Lapointe, General Manager of Seaway Hyundai in Ontario, Canada, Sealants are useful in fixing tyre punctures and flat tyres.
He says that the tyre sealants are helpful to people who live in the rural areas where there is the presence of lot of gravel and rocks. It is also useful to people who tend to move around near construction sites where there are nails and debris which will make the vehicle's tyres prone to a puncture.
He further added that using a preventive tyre sealant is a easy and affordable way to provide the tyre with an extra layer of protection and help prevent potential punctures which will put a hole in people's pockets.
Prolongs the life of old tyres:
"A sealant can help old tyres to stay for a bit longer." By this statement, it is not recommended to use old tyres. However, Old tyres will have the capability to stay for a longer period of life. In short, tyre sealants can increase old tyre's life.
Cons of using tyre sealant:
Tyre sealant can also damage the tyres:
Although using a tyre sealant is simple, if not applied properly, then the sealant may further destroy the tyres. Sealant is designed in such a way that soon as it is applied, the content disperses and fills up the puncture with the aid of the heat produced by the tyres. If the sealant does not warm up fast, then the content of the product can pool towards the bottom of the tyre resulting in potential wheel misalignment.
If there are sensors inside the tyres then there are chances that they could also be damaged by the sealant. The tyre pressure sensors might not be able to warn the driver even if there is low air pressure inside the tyres.
It is not a permanent fix:
A leaky tyre sealant is known to corrode the wheels, which will result in the only option of changing the wheels. It should not be considered as a permanent solution and many service centers will not repair the tyres treated with chemical sealant.
Using a canned sealant also increases the tyre pressure which becomes a hazard. Sealants can also void your tyre warranty which will result in purchasing new tyres at full price.
