Introduction

Having and driving a car automatically means that you may have to experience things like punctured tires from time to time. It is pretty standard for drivers to pick up a puncture and change the car’s wheel at the side of the road. This task is relatively straightforward if you know what you are doing well. You must also be familiar with all the tyre rescue or repair equipment generally tucked away in the boot. If you have a full-size spare wheel or space saver, you can just change the tyre, but what if all you have is a car puncture repair kit? In that case, you would have to know how to use those so that you can be on your way as soon as possible. Some people get intimidated by the prospect of having to use a car puncture repair kit, but when you know what to do, it won’t scare you at all. Keep reading to find out all about car puncture repair kits and how to use them in case of trouble.

How to use a tire repair kit? : Steps and tips for using a car puncture repair kit

1. Safety first: Even if using a can of tyre foam or using the car tyre puncture repair kit is a quick and easy solution for you, you must avoid taking risks while being on the way. For example, if you have stopped due to a puncture at a busy spot or on a dangerous road, you should keep driving slowly to a place where you can safely pull off the road to fix the tyre puncture. Of course, it might be costlier to repair a ruined tyre or a buckled alloy wheel, but it is better than putting your life at stake.

2. Be prepared: If you are near or on the road when you get a puncture, you must first get all the passengers out of the car and make them stand safely away from any potential traffic hazards. After doing that, you must switch off the car’s engine and apply the handbrake. Then you need to turn on the hazard lights in your vehicle. If you have one, you could wear a high-visibility jacket. Then you have to retrieve your emergency tyre repair kitfrom the boot. Finally, deploy a warning triangle behind your car at a suitable distance if it’s safe.

3. Inspect the puncture: Generally, small holes can be repaired by a tyre sealant, but that might not always be the case. If you find a puncture that matches the following descriptions, it would be best to call a breakdown service and seek professional help.

• You can see clearly that the tire is cut up or is disintegrating

• The puncture hole looks greater than 4mm in size.

• The puncture is not on the tyre’s main threat but on the shoulders or sidewall.

• The tire seating is improper, and your wheel rim shows apparent damage.

4. Re-inflate tyre or Insert sealant: AFter driving the car backwards and forwards a few times to locate the puncture, if you are sure there is no severe damage, you can seal it using the puncture repair kit for car tyres by following these steps.

• Ensure that the puncture is visible and, if you can, ensure that the valve is as high as possible too.

• You have to connect the sealant container to the valve on the tyre and then insert the sealant.

• The sealant will get pushed into the tyre if you use pressurised “all-in-one” cans, and simultaneously the tyre gets re-inflated.

• If the compressor in your car is separate, you would have to squeeze the sealant into the tyre before connecting the compressor. After that, you can re-inflate the tyre.

• In some cars, some systems would require you to connect the compressor to the sealant container itself even while the connector is attached to the tyre valve. While in some scenarios, you may have to remove the tyre sealant container altogether and then directly connect the compressor to the tyre valve.

• Finally, you can plug the compressor into the car’s 12V accessory socket. After this, you can inflate your tyre to the required pressure as per your car’s handbook. Generally, the compressor has an integrated meter or gauge. 

5. How to drive after using the repair kit: After you have tried to re-inflate the tyre, you will know right away whether the car puncture repair kit worked. If you notice sealant leaking out of the tyre, it is a clear sign that the puncture was not repaired, and in that case, you would have to ring for professional help. If the pressure holds good, you can drive a few miles to somewhere safe or directly to a garage to get your tyre checked out by professionals.

6. Replacing the tyre sealant canister:If the puncture on your car is a compressor and sealant canister type, you would be required to return the sealant you have used, which you can find at your local dealership or online.

Conclusion

While it is not always possible to avoid punctures, you can take better care of your car and the tyres. You must check your tyres regularly for pressure and inspect foreign objects stuck in them. Taking proper care of the tyres would save you a lot of money and hassle. However, you should have your tyres checked by a professional. ABE can help you with that.   As well as offering cars at reasonable prices, Autobest also provides tyre care services at moderate prices. Various aspects of a healthy car tyre are covered, such as replacing, maintaining, and washing. In addition, you can make arrangements to have ABE overhaul your car at their centre, or your vehicle can be serviced at home by them.