What are the disadvantages of automatic tire repair fluid?
4 Answers
Automatic tire repair fluid has the disadvantage of affecting the wheel's dynamic balance after use. Here is some relevant information about automatic tire repair fluid: 1. The principle of tire self-repair fluid: A liquid containing short fiber materials or fine particle substances is pre-injected into the tire in a certain amount. When micro-holes appear in the tire, they are blocked; when holes appear in the tire, the escaping air releases the liquid along with the fibers or particles. 2. Usage duration: It can only be used for 6 months. The tire repair fluid can cause chemical reactions with the inner rubber of the tire and the wheel hub, and prolonged use may corrode the steel rim and rubber. Additionally, the tire repair fluid injected into the tire may only adhere to one side of the tire wall, affecting the tire's balance, causing car vibration during driving, and impacting the car's stability.
Last time I used an emergency tire repair sealant during a road trip, and its drawbacks were quite annoying. It only temporarily seals small punctures—larger holes or sidewall cracks are beyond its capability. After injecting it, the sticky liquid coats the wheel rim with glue, making cleanup a hassle that requires special cleaners and lots of time. On highways, the tire imbalance caused severe vibrations strong enough to shake the steering wheel. It’s also environmentally harmful, as the chemicals can leak and contaminate soil. Worse, the tire pressure monitoring sensors might get clogged and fail. Now, I’d rather wait longer for professional towing than risk DIY fixes—it’s much safer.
As a car modification enthusiast, I think automatic tire repair fluids have several major pitfalls: in terms of effectiveness, they only work for small punctures and are useless for larger damages or sidewall injuries; they also easily corrode the inside of the rims, leading to rust or damage to newly replaced tires over time; there's a high risk of clogging sensors like tire pressure monitors; additionally, after use, you must immediately find a place to thoroughly clean the tire, otherwise abnormal shaking while driving can affect control; overall, spending a few dozen bucks on it is not as reliable as saving up and going to a professional shop for a proper tire repair, avoiding secondary troubles.
I personally value environmental protection, so I'm very cautious about tire repair sealants: those chemical leaks can pollute water sources and soil, which is unfriendly to the ecosystem; the repair effect is poor, and the patched holes often leak again, leading to repeated treatments that waste more resources; the manufacturing process consumes high energy and produces harmful by-products; not to mention it may cause internal tire wear and accelerate scrapping. I still recommend using recycled materials or more eco-friendly patch methods to reduce harm to the planet.
