How to Use a Tire Inflator Kit

With many newer cars no longer carrying a spare tire, this space-saving tool can get you home after a puncture.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Sep 14, 2022 | 3 min read

Manuel Carrillo III/Capital One

Not every vehicle comes with a spare tire, typically as a way to save on weight, improve fuel mileage, and free up more space in the trunk or cargo area. Instead, some automakers offer a tire inflator kit that can seal certain types of punctures and pump air pressure back up to a safe operating level to get you back home or to a repair shop.

Tire inflation kits come in various designs, but they all operate using the same basic steps. Here's a look at how these kits work and how to use them.

How Does a Tire Inflator Kit Work?

There are two main components to a tire inflator kit:

1. The first is a bottle of sealant compound, a liquid chemical substance that plugs up small punctures and forms a bond with the rubber after coating the inside of the tire
2. The second is an air compressor that pumps the sealant and air into the tire, filling it up to factory pressure so that the tire can be driven on

An important caveat when using this type of kit is that it can only be used to seal small punctures (roughly 4 millimeters, or just over 1/8 of an inch) located on the tire's tread. If the hole is any larger or is located on the sidewall, then an inflator kit will not work.

Manuel Carrillo III

How to Use a Tire Inflator Kit

Before doing any work on your vehicle, make sure it is safe to do so. A tire inflator kit is safe to use in a parking lot or on a quiet side street, but on the side of the highway or on a busy road, it's better to call for professional assistance.

The first step is to follow the kit's instructions to attach the can of sealant to the inflator. Then, connect the inflator to the tire valve. Once attached, plug in the inflator to your vehicle's 12-volt power outlet. Turn the unit on and inflate the tire for the time described by the instructions (which will vary from one vehicle to the next). Then turn the unit off and detach the inflator. You might see some sealant pushed out through the tire's bead along the wheel, which is normal.

Using a tire pressure gauge (which may be built into the kit), check that the pressure in the repaired tire is at the level recommended by your vehicle's owner's manual. You can also use your vehicle's tire pressure monitoring system to verify a safe level of inflation. Some kits require that you drive at a modest speed for a few miles after using the kit as a final step to ensure that the sealant spreads throughout the inside of the tire.

You'll Have to Head to the Tire Repair Shop Eventually

Unlike a full-size spare, a tire sealing system isn't intended to be a long-term solution. Most manufacturers recommend driving no more than 100 miles on a repaired tire before replacing it. Similar to a donut-sized spare, it's also important to not exceed 50 mph on a sealed tire.

Benjamin Hunting

Nearly two decades into his career as an automotive journalist, Benjamin has had his hands greasy, his hair blown back, and his heart broken by more than one project car. In addition to his work at Capital One, he has contributed features and reviews to Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, Driving Line, Inside Hook, Super Street, European Car, Roadkill Magazine, Motor 1, The Drive, the Toronto Star, the National Post, Business Insider, NAPA, Autoblog, Automotive News Canada, and AutoGuide. He is also cohost of the Unnamed Automotive Podcast and cocreator of the Code 45 and Dead Air graphic novels. In his spare time, he's a friend to vinyl and enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days.