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According to industry date, only 10% of the new cars for sale today include a full-size spare tire. Only 70% of those include a spacesaver spare; the rest come from the factory with tire sealant and a compressor. If I have to choose between sitting on a soft shoulder, using a flimsy scissor-jack while other vehicles whizz past at 80mph to put on a donut, vs using sealant and a compressor to get on my way, I’m going with the goo.
Tire sealants are a great way to quickly repair a slow-leaking tire, and they can also be used for preventative measures. You can easily store this product in the trunk or other area of your vehicle for emergencies. The best tire sealants are affordable and easy to use, but they’re not all created equally. We did the research and found some of the best options, so you’ll be prepared the next time the unexpected occurs.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Slime Emergency Tire Repair Sealant
- Best Value: Fix-A-Flat Tire Sealant and Car/SUV Tire Inflator
- Best Off-Highway Formula: TireJect Tire Sealant Kit
- Best for Motorcycles: Ride-On Motorcycle Tire Balancer & Sealant
- Best Kit: Smart Spair Ultra Car/Trailer Flat Tire Repair Kit
Our Methodology
I took several factors into consideration when choosing the best tire sealants. First, I focused on well-known brands that have a reputation for producing high-quality products. I also looked at the effectiveness of each item. Using user testimonials as a reference, I compared how each sealant performed in real-world conditions in order to determine how well they functioned overall.
I included products that are both solutions to a puncture and I made sure to pick products that can be used on a variety of different tires, from passenger cars to larger pickup trucks. I also included items in a wide range of prices to suit a variety of budgets. For more information on our methodology, go here.
Best a Tire Sealant Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Slime Emergency Tire Repair Sealant
Pros
- Fills holes up to a quarter of an inch
- Safe for use with TPMS
- Compressors can blow through the Slime Canister
Cons
- Not a permanent solution, good for 100 miles of driving
Slime has to be the best-known tire sealant in the business. It is capable of filling punctures up to 1/4 inch, which is around the size of a normal screw or nail. It’s a great preventative measure to help fight against the possibility of full tire blowouts caused by driving on an under-inflated tire.
The sealant liquid is dispensed into a tire through the valve stem and will spread evenly as it spins. When the tire is punctured, the liquid sealant is pushed out of the hole by the air pressure in the tire. Small fibers suspended in the liquid get stuck in the hole, quickly plugging it. This powerful formula is fit for cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, trailers, and RVs. Plus, it’s compact enough to take with you, no matter where you plan on driving. One of the best features we found is that the bottle comes with its own valve core removal tool, giving you easy access to prevent leaks in your tires.
Best Value: Fix-A-Flat Tire Sealant and Car/SUV Tire Inflator
Best Value
Fix-A-Flat Tire Sealant and Car/SUV Tire Inflator
Pros
- Sealant and inflator in one package
- Easy to clean up
Cons
- Some users report having trouble with the valve of the can sealing to the tires valve stem
This simple small yet effective tire sealant is capable of making sure a large tire holds its air until you get it properly taken care of. Its compact bottle means you can take it with you and quickly use it in case you have a tire emergency. You can easily check what tires Fix-A-Flat fits by checking out the guide on their website.
It is able to fully block a puncture up to 1/4-inch. While it isn’t a permanent fix, it will last long enough for you to drive it to the shop or back home. It’s easy to attach to your tire nozzles as well, giving you more time to get back on the road and less time worrying about how much air you’ve lost. It’s nontoxic, noncorrosive, and nonflammable as well, making it safe for the environment. It’s also safe to use on cars with a TPMS monitoring system.
While it may be fast-acting, you will have to move the car to the right position in order for the compound to take hold effectively. That means you have to make sure to park where the puncture is at the six o’clock angle, which can be difficult to do by yourself.
Best Off-Highway Formula: TireJect Tire Sealant Kit
Pros
- Offers permanent repair for tire punctures
- Uses Aramid fibers and rubber from recycled tires
Cons
- Only for off-highway use(not cars)
When ordering this tire sealant for offroad use, you have the option of choosing 10, 20, or 40 ounces. You can also choose to order a one-gallon container. The sealant is a liquid rubber mixture that contains tire particles and Aramid fibers. Every 10 ounces of sealant comes with one bladder bag and one injector tool. You can use this repair kit to repair punctures in your tires from screws, nails, thorns, or anything else. The sealant only works on punctures that are up to 3/8-inch.
You’ll find this sealant system is easy to use, thanks to the included injector tool. You connect it to your valve stem for a mess-free installation. You can even install this sealant on all four of your tires and prevent future flats for the next year.
Best for Motorcycles: Ride-On Motorcycle Tire Balancer & Sealant
Pros
- Leave in formula stops leaks before you know you have them
- Dynamically balances tires so no wheel weights
Cons
- Some consider it expensive at a bottle per tire
This tire sealant is meant for use with motorcycle tires. It will balance and seal your tire by evenly coating the inside surface of your tire. If your tire suffers a puncture while you’re riding, the centrifugal force of your rotating tire and the internal air pressure will move the Ride-On sealant into the hole. This will instantly seal it. This will work on punctures that are up to 1/4-inch in tubeless tires and 1/8-inch in tube tires.
You’ll like that this sealant turns your tires into self-sealing tires. They’ll also eliminate the need for ugly wheel weights. This sealant is specifically designed for use in high-speed tires. It’ll improve the performance of your motorcycle tires by dampening road vibration and noise.
Best Kit: Smart Spair Ultra Car/Trailer Flat Tire Repair Kit
Pros
- All in one solution for flats
- Can be used to replace factory kit
- Costs a fraction of a sealant kit from dealership
Cons
- The included compressor is for emergency use
One of the biggest problems with factory flat repair kits is they’re single-use and, on top of that, can cost hundreds of dollars from a dealership. This Slime kit can really save the day, not only if you have a flat, but if you’ve used the factory kit and need a replacement.
It not only works as well as the factory kit for fixing a flat and inflating a tire, but the sealant bottle is replaceable. That means you aren’t throwing away a compressor and paying for a new one after every use. We also like the fact that you can usually find this kit for under $50, and a replacement canister of Slime sealant is about half that.
Our Verdict
Slime Emergency Tire Repair Sealant is well-known in the industry and can repair screw or nail punctures up to 1/4-inch long. It can be used on cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, RVs, and more. It includes a valve core removal tool to make the process easier. For a slightly more budget-friendly option, consider the equally effective Fix-A-Flat Tire Sealant and Car/SUV Tire Inflator.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Tire Sealant
Types
Aerosol Tire Sealant
Aerosol tire sealant is one of only two types. A single-use product, aerosol sealant is for emergency repairs that will allow you to drive short distances on a punctured tire. It comes in a bottle that sprays, allowing a simple application to fill holes in the tire with great accuracy. When you spray the product into the valve, the punctured tire will inflate. The formula coats the inside of the tire to plug any leaks or holes.
Gel Tire Sealant
The second type of sealant for a punctured tire comes in the form of a thick gel. Using the gel option can be a bit more difficult than the aerosol tire sealant, as it is harder to put in place. Plus, it can be messier due to its slimy substance. To use the gel sealant, you will usually need tools or equipment to make sure the tire is properly sealed and no longer leaking air.
Tire Sealant Pricing
Many tire sealants are very affordable and cost between $10 and $20. These products are often at least 16 ounces in size and work as promised. They are no-frills, but they get the job done. If you spend upwards of $60, you will often find much larger sealant containers or those that are part of a kit, which can include items such as tire inflators. If you have room in your vehicle for a kit, it may be worth storing one in your trunk due to the added features, such as accessories for inflatable and carrying bags.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Tire sealants are for temporary use and not a permanent solution. The tire sealant’s purpose is to get you to the nearest gas station, automotive shop, or dealership to fix the tire. Depending on the amount of damage to the tire, you may need to get a brand-new tire put on the vehicle.
Tubeless tire sealant should last an average of two-six months. However, the life span depends on several factors, such as temperature, humidity, driving frequency, tire casing thickness, and the number of punctures.
This depends on the type of tire sealant and the brand. Each product should state how long they last, but generally they can last up to two years before needing to replace the tires.
A: This varies on the size of the tire you are trying to fill the puncture in. A lawn mower tire is smaller and therefore doesn’t need that much product. However, a Jeep tire is larger and will typically need an entire bottle of tire sealant.
A: You inject the tire sealant through the valve or tire nozzle. After completing that step, you then fill the tire with air until it is at the required amount.
