Tire Repair Kit
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
Tire Repair Kit
For those of you running non-runflats, what tire repair kit do you use? Have you used it? How did it perform? How much did it cost and where did you get it?
I'm thinking of ditching my GY Runcraps and getting some GY GSD3's. Gonna need a repair kit.
I'm thinking of ditching my GY Runcraps and getting some GY GSD3's. Gonna need a repair kit.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: cobourg ont
I picked up a kit called Stop & Go. Get it at any Harley shop. Bikers swear by it. Cost was 26 bucks. Still need a portable compressor. Haven't used it yet, hope I don't ever have to. Very small & compact kit
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,515
Likes: 646
From: Silicon Valley and Yosemite, CA
Well, I had a Tech Tip, but it looks like there is a problem with them.
I have had to change two flats in the field. The first was in the driveway, and I was seriously in trouble with just a pump and a patch kit. I could not get the nail out, and there was no way I was going to patch the tire, and would have been stranded.
Bottom Line, for a Tire Repair Kit, think of the absolute worst situation you can think of and prepare for it.
My kit consists of a air pump with a light on it, headlamp, a small jack, so I can get the tire off(Think of trying to patch a tire that has a nail on the inside front), Lug nut socket, 1/2 breaker bar, Needle nose pliers, round nose pliers, screwdriver, , a bottle of water, rubber glove(this is a dirty job), a blanket to lay on, a cheap $3 poncho in case it is raining, and a GOOD tire patch kit, not a cheap one under $10. These are tough tires, so you need a decent T-Handle plug tool.
Sounds like a lot, but it all fits in a stuff sack in the left side cubby, with the exception of the jack, which is my center cubby. It is only 12-14 inches long and about 3 inches high with it's own handle. I think it came from a Taurus. and cost me $8 from the local Pick-N-Pull junkyard.
My second flat was in my work parking lot, and I had it fixed in about 15 minutes.
I have had to change two flats in the field. The first was in the driveway, and I was seriously in trouble with just a pump and a patch kit. I could not get the nail out, and there was no way I was going to patch the tire, and would have been stranded.
Bottom Line, for a Tire Repair Kit, think of the absolute worst situation you can think of and prepare for it.
My kit consists of a air pump with a light on it, headlamp, a small jack, so I can get the tire off(Think of trying to patch a tire that has a nail on the inside front), Lug nut socket, 1/2 breaker bar, Needle nose pliers, round nose pliers, screwdriver, , a bottle of water, rubber glove(this is a dirty job), a blanket to lay on, a cheap $3 poncho in case it is raining, and a GOOD tire patch kit, not a cheap one under $10. These are tough tires, so you need a decent T-Handle plug tool.
Sounds like a lot, but it all fits in a stuff sack in the left side cubby, with the exception of the jack, which is my center cubby. It is only 12-14 inches long and about 3 inches high with it's own handle. I think it came from a Taurus. and cost me $8 from the local Pick-N-Pull junkyard.
My second flat was in my work parking lot, and I had it fixed in about 15 minutes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
I've only plugged a tire twice and I've been driving for over 40 years. One was a lawn tractor and the other was a car tire but it was off the car. Fixing it on the car would be a little harder to find the leak but other than that I don't see why it would be any harder. Here's a link to various type of plug kits, http://www.stopngo.com/automotive.asp#tireplugger then you'll need a compressor (don't buy a cheap one, get one that will at least pump a regular passenger tire in 3 minutes) If you are going to put sealant in the tire, Slime is the only one that the manufacture claims will not damage the tire pressure sensors.
I carry a plug kit, sealant, compressor, AAA card and a cell phone. Once you drive this car with non run flats you'll never go back.
I carry a plug kit, sealant, compressor, AAA card and a cell phone. Once you drive this car with non run flats you'll never go back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 109
From: Queens New York
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I just picked up a plug kit from Wal-Mart - Victor was the brand I believe. I also bought a small portable air compressor (Campbell Hausfield) to carry in the car. Worse case scenario - I have a cell phone and emergency road service on my insurance. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
Here is the section that says it can damage the tire sensors:
The ContiComfortKit combines a powerful, high-volume, 12-volt air compressor, integral pressure gauge and a latex liquid tire sealant packaged in a compact, lightweight unit that's easy to store in the vehicle. (Kit is 9.5"W x 7"H x 3.75"D.) This product's sealant may interfere with the tire pressure monitoring sensors on vehicles with direct TPMS, possibly leading to error prompts and incorrect pressure readings. Use of this product on direct TPMS vehicles could also result in damage to the tire pressure sensor inside the wheel.
I carry slime brand sealant instead because they state on their website that there sealant will not damage tire pressure sensors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Those of you planning to use sealant on tires be aware that you may not be able to get the sealant into the tires as it has to go through a tiny opening in the TPMSs (if you have them installed).
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,295
Likes: 4
From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
Either they changed the forumla or they lied to me 4 years ago becaue they told me then that the sensors wouldn't be damaged. Who knows.
I also have the Conticomfortkit from Tire Rack, but if you read the information on the web site about this kit, it will tell you that the sealant will damage the tire pressure monitors. Here is the link to the site and a small section of the info about the sealant included with the kit. http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=38
Here is the section that says it can damage the tire sensors:
The ContiComfortKit combines a powerful, high-volume, 12-volt air compressor, integral pressure gauge and a latex liquid tire sealant packaged in a compact, lightweight unit that's easy to store in the vehicle. (Kit is 9.5"W x 7"H x 3.75"D.) This product's sealant may interfere with the tire pressure monitoring sensors on vehicles with direct TPMS, possibly leading to error prompts and incorrect pressure readings. Use of this product on direct TPMS vehicles could also result in damage to the tire pressure sensor inside the wheel.
I carry slime brand sealant instead because they state on their website that there sealant will not damage tire pressure sensors.
Here is the section that says it can damage the tire sensors:
The ContiComfortKit combines a powerful, high-volume, 12-volt air compressor, integral pressure gauge and a latex liquid tire sealant packaged in a compact, lightweight unit that's easy to store in the vehicle. (Kit is 9.5"W x 7"H x 3.75"D.) This product's sealant may interfere with the tire pressure monitoring sensors on vehicles with direct TPMS, possibly leading to error prompts and incorrect pressure readings. Use of this product on direct TPMS vehicles could also result in damage to the tire pressure sensor inside the wheel.
I carry slime brand sealant instead because they state on their website that there sealant will not damage tire pressure sensors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
I think they lied because that's about when I bought the kit and I thought when I bought it that they said it would not hurt the sensors, but as you can see they now say it will damage the sensors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,515
Likes: 646
From: Silicon Valley and Yosemite, CA
Would have left me stranded, so I would look for something a touch better.
For those expecting AAA, or other roadside assistance keep in mind their flat repair service means they put on a spare. AAA will NOT come out and patch a tire. Make sure you let them know you have to be towed on a flatbed. When I had my flat in the parking lot it was at least a two+ hour wait, since the flatbed was already in use and they told me there was someone in front of me.
I will most likely go back to RF's on my C5, running Nitto 555's now. I put RF Michelin Pilots on my C6 and I really like them, and I have some RF security. The technology has come a long ways since the original RF.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 340
Likes: 2
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 632
Likes: 6
From: St. Louis Missouri
Has anybody successfully repaired a tire themselves with one of these kits? Did you use the sealant? Did you have to remove the shrader valve?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,513
Likes: 4
From: Official Dirty Dozen Member
I've used mine for years , at least 10 , without a mishap !
I've plugged my tires , friends and co-workers tires and never had an inkling of a problem.
Maybe you just got a defective one or I got a good one
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,515
Likes: 646
From: Silicon Valley and Yosemite, CA
& marinehacker202
Ya definitely not my idea of a good time
