Over 70% of drivers experienced tyre puncture before. Some leaks so quick that the tyre goes flat in just few seconds. Some leaks very slowly that it takes days or weeks to realize the tyre is punctured.
Tyre manufacturers realized the pains of the drivers and release a technology – self-seal tyre (aka puncture-proof tyres) as early as in the year 2010.
How self-seal tyre works?
These tyres are equipped with a jelly like, sticky material, stick and spread inside of the tyre circumferences. When there is a puncture, the hole will be filled with this material, preventing air from leaking.
Does self-seal tyre work well?
Several limitations of self-seal tyre:
- The material only covered below the tread area. Any puncture that is at the sidewall or near the sidewall cannot be sealed automatically.
- Puncture that is larger than 6mm cannot be self-sealed.
- Puncture area self-seal materials will be removed for internal patch
These are few of the tyre puncture examples which could not be protected by self-seal tyre.
Does self-seal tyre require tyre patch?
Apparently it’s advised to get it patched even it’s self-sealed. It’s only a temporary fix when the jelly material covers up the punctured (e.g. nail) area. If the nail was removed while driving, the jelly material could not cover up the empty space and air will still leak.
Why is it still uncommon in the tyre market?
These tyres are still popular but not in HK only until recently. Michelin, Continental, and Pirelli authorized official were once selling self-seal tyres but were too expensive and they got dropped out of the supply after sometimes (in HK market). Self-seal tyres are more expensive than normal tyre for about HK$500 – $1000/tyre last time.
There were other substitutes that seal the tyre before going to the techncian:
1. Pump in Tyre Sealant (aka anti-puncture fluid)
User pump in air together with the bottle of tyre sealant to fill the puncture area. Same limitation as self-seal tyre, it does not work on puncture area greater than 6mm and sidewall.
Another disadvantage is the possible damage to internal tyre pressure monitoring sensors (TPMS). Although TPMS is normally water resistant, remanent of the sealant may cover up the small hole of TPMS that detect air pressure.
Tyre sealant has different quality. A cheap, low quality tyre sealant can still do the sealing work but require technician to dismount the tyre for cleaning. A more expensive one will solidify quickly and become part of the tyre.
2. Add in Tyre Sealant
It works the same as self-seal tyre. User add in the jelly-like sealant before the tyre is mounted or right after the tyre is mounted. Puncturesafe, is one of them that do the work. It was once sold in Hong Kong in the year 2022 (but looks like it’s already closed). The blue color jelly like liquid is pumped into the tyre after tyre installation.
The problem of this product is the high price it costs. As far as I remembered, it costs around HK$2000 – $2500 for a set of four 225/45 R17 tyres. The larger the size, the more materials it requires, and the higher the cost. The overall price is almost the same as installing self-seal tyre.
The image is a semi-liquid tyre sealant that also works like puncturesafe. It’s another example of tyre sealant in the market.
Conclusion
Getting self-seal tyre is not worry-free from tyre puncture. It’s suitable for drivers who want to have run flat similar ability, and drive not as bumpy like run flat models.
Due to limited model constraints, not all models offer self-seal technology with it. Price, especially in HK, maybe higher than conventional tyre.
Getting run flat tyre will be a good substitute or simply just use tyre sealant.
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