Nothing ruins a fun day at Wichita’s pumpkin patch or corn maze faster than being faced with flat tire. But, a flat tire is one of the most common car troubles a driver can face. And while spare tires and roadside assistance can be lifesavers, they aren’t always immediately available; that’s where a tire inflator kit comes in. So, in this blog, the experts at Tracy’s Tire Pros and Automotive review what a tire inflator kit is, how it works, and discuss if it’s something you should consider having in your car.

What is a Tire Inflator Kit?

A tire inflator kit is a compact, portable device designed to help you temporarily fix a flat tire. So you can get back on the road without needing a spare tire. Most kits typically include:

• A small, powerful air compressor to inflate the tire.
• A sealant to plug small punctures.

These kits are especially common in vehicles that don’t come with a traditional spare tire. But they can be purchased and used with any vehicle.

How Does a Tire Inflator Kit Work?

How a tire inflator kit works is straightforward and can be completed in a few steps. And this is true even if you’re not mechanically inclined.

1. Locating the Leak: Before you use the inflator kit, it’s best to locate the puncture if you can. However, this isn’t always necessary for minor leaks.
2. Applying the Sealant: Most tire inflator kits come with a bottle of liquid sealant that you inject into the tire. And this lets the sealant spread inside the tire to plug up small holes caused by nails, screws, or other sharp objects. However, this is a temporary fix. Because it’s designed to stop air from leaking until you can get to Tracy’s Tire Pros to have your tire professionally repaired or replaced.
3. Inflating the Tire: After applying the sealant, you connect the air compressor to the tire’s valve stem, plug it into your car’s power outlet or cigarette lighter, and turn it on. And then the air compressor inflates the tire to the proper pressure, allowing you to drive.
4. Driving with the Repair: Once your tire is inflated, the sealant and pressure allow you to drive a limited distance—usually around 50 to 100 miles. But this should give you enough time to get to Tracy’s Tire Pros on 11770 W 21st Street in Wichita.

Advantages of Having a Tire Inflator Kit

There are several reasons why carrying a tire inflator kit in your vehicle is a smart idea:

1. Convenience: A tire inflator kit can be used almost anywhere. And this saves you the hassle of waiting for roadside assistance or struggling with a spare tire, especially in less-than-ideal conditions like rain or on a busy highway.
2. Space-Saving: Unlike spare tires, inflator kits are compact and take up very little room in your vehicle. And this is great for cars with limited trunk space or for those who want to pack light.
3. Ease of Use: These kits are designed to be user-friendly. So even if you have little experience with car repairs, you can quickly inflate your tire and get back on the road.
4. Temporary Solution: While not a permanent fix, an inflator kit allows you to drive to a safer location where you can address the problem properly.

Limitations of a Tire Inflator Kit

While inflator kits are useful, they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution:

1. Not Suitable for Major Tire Damage: If the puncture is larger than 1/4 inch, or the tire has sidewall damage, the inflator kit may not be effective. So, in these cases, you’ll still need a professional repair or replacement.
2. Limited Driving Distance: After using an inflator kit, the fix is temporary. And the tire should be professionally repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Also, you should avoid high speeds or long trips after using the kit.
3. Sealant Can Be Messy: The sealant used in these kits can sometimes clog the tire’s valve stem or damage the tire’s sensors. And this is especially in vehicles with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). Also, cleaning up the sealant when you get the tire repaired might also be an extra cost.

Should You Have a Tire Inflator Kit?

For many drivers, a tire inflator kit is a valuable tool to keep in the car. Because, it can provide peace of mind, especially when traveling in areas where help might be far away. So, if your vehicle doesn’t come with a spare tire, having one of these kits is essential.

However, it’s important to remember that a tire inflator kit is only a temporary solution. So, after using it, make sure to take your car to the professional at Tracy’s Tire Pros as soon as possible. Additionally, if your vehicle already has a spare tire and you’re comfortable changing it yourself, you may not need an inflator kit. But, it could still be handy as a backup.

Tire Inflator Kits are a Good Solution for Minor, Temporary Tire Repair

Tire inflator kits are a practical, space-saving, and easy-to-use solution for minor tire problems. And they can get you out of a bind and back on the road without needing a spare tire or roadside assistance. But, they aren’t a substitute for a permanent repair. And you will need to follow up with the tire experts at Tracy’s Tire Pros.

Tracy’s Tire Pros can help you take the best care for your vehicle. And they have three locations for your convenience:  West Maple Street auto care and auto repair, East First Street N. and West 21st Street N. Furthermore, Tracy’s Automotive is a proud dealer for Jasper Engines and Vogue Performance Exhaust systems.

Suspension| Tracy’s Automotive | Wichita Car Care | Wichita Auto Care | Wichita Auto Repair | Maple Street Auto Care | Maple Street Auto Repair | Wichita Tires | Local Car Repair | Wichita Auto Coupons | Auto Coupons | Brake Pads | Alternator
#TracysAutomotive #Suspension #WichitaTires #BrakesWichita #WichitaCarCare #WichitaAutoCare #WichitaAutoRepair #TracysAutoCare #MapleStreetAutoRepair #LocalCarRepair #WichitaAutoCareNearMe #WichitaAutoCoupons #AutoCoupons #AutoDiagnostics #BrakePads #Alternator